Sand Tray Therapy:

What It Is: Sand tray therapy lets you use sand and small objects to express your feelings and experiences.

Advantages: Helps you show feelings without talking, offers a safe way to explore tough topics, and can be calming and self-discovering. Works for kids, teens, and adults.

Disadvantages: Doesn’t focus much on talking, needs setup and objects, and requires special training to
understand the sand scenes.

Uses: Helps deal with trauma, fits well with play therapy, and lets you discover your thoughts and feelings.

How to Set Up:

1. Get a tray of sand and small objects.
2. Make a cozy space for therapy.

How It Works:

1. Sit near the sand and pick objects that feel right.
2. Create a scene in the sand with the objects.
3. Talk about the scene and any feelings it brings up.
4. Change the scene as needed during therapy.

Goals: Helps express without words, discover feelings, cope with trauma, and talk about feelings.

Play Therapy:

What It Is: Play therapy uses play to express feelings and solve problems.

Advantages: Lets kids express themselves, builds coping skills, and helps create a strong bond with the
therapist. Uses many fun activities.

Disadvantages: Takes longer than talking, needs special training, and may not work as well outside therapy.

Uses: Good for kids with behavior or emotional problems, family therapy, and for anyone facing tough times.

How to Set Up:

1. Make a special room with toys and art supplies.
2. Keep it safe and fun.

How It Works:

1. Start with a fun activity the client likes.
2. Let them play and express themselves.
3. Watch how they play and what they say.
4. Use play to help them solve problems or talk about tough feelings.

Goals: Helps express feelings, learn new ways to cope, build trust, and deal with tough feelings or problems.

By following these steps and goals, therapists can help you heal and grow through sand tray and play therapy, even if you struggle with talking about your feelings.