Using the sandtray as an expressive arts intervention with adult clients

When counselors and therapists think of using the sandtray as a counseling intervention, they often think sandtray work only as a play-therapy intervention for children (Hunter, 1998). However, over the last several decades, sandtrays have been included in counseling adolescents and adults more and more frequently (Homeyer & Sweeney, 2011). When sandtrays are used from a Jungian perspective, this work is often referred to as “sandplay” but today, sandtray work with adults from a variety of theoretical perspectives is growing in popularity (Boik & Godwin, 2000; DeDomenico, 1995). This article discusses the use of the sandtray as an expressive intervention with adult therapy clients acknowledging there are many theoretical options available to the therapist and outlines how sandtray work (ST) is uniquely suited for a variety of adult counseling populations from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds.