The most exciting part about sandtray? The miniatures - hands down.
A borderline obsession for most sandtray therapists is collecting, selecting, and cultivating the absolutely perfect miniature collection. Also likely paired with showing off your favorite minis to your office neighbors and play therapist besties. Want to grow your collection? Check out more resources with tons of ideas HERE and HERE!
0 Comments
One of the foundational pieces of starting sandtray in your practice is training!
Yes, the fun, exciting, and shiny part is the miniatures and carefully creating your setup. Hours browsing pinterest, visiting artisan makers (like Mama Owls Minis) virtually or at a conference, and hitting up the dollar spot, garage sales, and even sometimes your kids bedroom. (I am totally guilty of this.) 
If you are thinking of adding sandtray to your therapy practice OR have dipped your toes in but aren’t sure where to go next - this is the post you need, my friend!
Bookmark this page because I wanted to give you my top four resources for any play therapist that wants to start using sandtray more ethically and effectively in their play therapy practice! 
So real question - are you a fan of Bluey?
If you are unaware - Bluey follows the adventures of a lovable & inexhaustible six-year-old puppy, who along with her sister Bingo, parents and friends is learning all about the world. And part of learning about the world? The show serves up some excellent lessons on mental health, emotional regulation and play. 
Are you really being Child Centered when you’re doing Child Centered Play Therapy?
Using Child Centered Play Therapy in the playroom means that you are providing a safe space for children to express themselves, explore their emotions, and process their experiences - with the child leading the way. And for some therapists who practice Child Centered Play Therapy - some direction and control can (unintentionally) creep in without you even knowing it! 
If you tell me you are a play therapist, you both tell me a lot and very little about what you believe about growth, change, and healing with children.
You tell me a lot in regards to your understanding of what is developmentally appropriate and necessary for kids to heal and grow, and that they need interventions beyond talk therapy. 
Interpreting play themes - aka “what the heck did that mean” or “are they just playing?” is one of the most frequent questions that comes up for therapists in Child Centered Play Therapy.
And today? Get ready to cut through the confusion because I am serving you up my best-of-the-best resources to increase your confidence and clarity when identifying themes in the playroom! 
What kind of play therapist are you? Are you a purist that practices one theory and one theory only? Child Centered Play Therapy or bust?
OR do you have multiple core modalities and theories that you use based on the development, age, and presenting concern of the child? 
If you are a Child Centered Play Therapist, or not, unconditional positive regard is one the essential foundations for effective therapy.
According to Carl Rogers, unconditional positive regard is an attitude of caring, acceptance, and appreciation that is offered to a person regardless of their behavior or whether it aligns with the therapist’s personal values. Rogers believed this kind of acceptance is essential for fostering self-awareness, self-worth, and healthy personality growth—making it a universal human need crucial to emotional development. 
With divorce and separation being a common occurrence it’s likely you have clients from all phases of divorce entering your playroom.
The families that have been divorced for years BUT are still doing the job of parenting (sometimes effectively, and sometimes…..not so much). The families that are seeking support to tell their children about the divorce and want the powers of play therapy to support their children through all the upcoming changes. The families that are in the middle of heated custody battles AND the families where parents are together but divorce is looming on the horizon. |
Hi, there!I'm Ann Meehan, an LPCC, 
|
Privacy Policies | Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Contact
[email protected] | Copyright Meehan Mental Health Services 2025
Contact
[email protected] | Copyright Meehan Mental Health Services 2025