2021 TSTA Conference

Redefining Self-Care Through Sandtray Play Therapy

Friday, September 17 from 9am-4pm / Online via Zoom

Schedule

Morning Session 9am-12pm

Track 1: Mapping the Girl Heroine's Journey in Sand: A Clinical Approach to Assessment in Play Therapy and Sandplay

Presented by Dr. Rosalind Heiko, Ph.D., ISST,
RPT-S, NCSP

Description: As anxiety and dysregulation for children and adolescents has continued to rise, as well as the increased exposure to adverse childhood experiences, the need for mindfulness-based practices and creative ways to regulate in play therapy has also risen.  Participants will review the use of mandalas for centuries across many cultures as part of mindfulness practice and wholeness. The healing properties of nature and nature play therapy will also be explored, including the discoveries of naturally occurring mandalas. Participants will then be introduced to creating various sandalas within sandtray and play therapy. Sand is a natural regulator, that when used to make nature mandalas, become sandalas.  Sandtray and play therapists can incorporate the making of sandalas with children, teens and families in sandtray and play therapy, including over telemental health. This creative practice can engage several therapeutic powers of play such as improving self-regulation, increasing self- esteem and encouraging positive emotions. This presentation will also explore how creating sandalas can be beneficial in play therapy supervision as well as for therapist self-care.

Lunch on your own 12-1pm

Afternoon Session 1-4pm

Choose 1 of 2 Tracks:

Track 2: Sandtray Play Therapy as a Self-Care Tool for Sexual Abuse Survivors


Presented by Lacey Fisher, LPC-S, RPT-S, PMH-C

The Sandplay Journey Map offers a model for play therapists and other clinicians to uncover treatment themes and a method to map and integrate these themes into play and expressive arts therapies. In this 3-hour training, play therapists will have the opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding and skills in using this therapeutic approach and its healing potential in treatment with clients of all ages and abilities. We will apply the Sandplay Journey Map to specific case material, and highlight the inherent play therapy themes to more fully understand the process of a sandplay journey from the client’s perspective. Participants will be exposed to didactic and experiential interventions, including video presentation, individual case presentation, an experiential/symbol exercise, reflective discussion, and didactic presentation of relevant topics to enhance their clinical work in sand. 

This presentation will explore the dynamics of childhood sexual abuse and how it impacts people over the lifespan. Healing from sexual abuse is a lifelong journey and self-care is essential. Sandtray play therapy is a great self-care tool for children, teens, and adults to process and integrate trauma from sexual abuse. Participants will view sandtrays created by survivors of sexual abuse and then discuss common themes that are present in the trays. There will also be opportunity to learn how sandtray play therapy can be integrated with other therapeutic techniques. 

From Mandalas to Sandalas: Incorporating the Gifts of Nature in Sandtray and Play Therapy

Presented by Jamie Langley, LCSW, RPT-S

***Due to COVID-19, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for 6 CONTACT CE Hours***