Analysis of Sandtray Therapy - P.

by Sand Tray Therapy Student
(Decatur, GA)

Analyzing C. Sandtray for Sand Tray Therapy

The first article selected for the sandtray was the mask. The mask has an unpleasant or even a pained expression on its face. It also fits well in the sand, with the sand coming up through its open mouth. C. said that she selected it, because it represented the mask that she shows the world, so no one knows that she has a turmoil of emotions underneath. Using www.dreammoods.com, which will be used in all of the following interpretations, it would seem that the mask represents exactly what the client has related. A mask can represent you are trying to be someone you are not and hide your true feelings. One might only reveal half truths about themselves.

The second miniature selected was Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse can symbolize the magic and joy of childhood, a time when you were carefree. Carilee confirmed that Disney World was a very happy time in her childhood and that she still enjoys visiting.

The third miniature selected was a little blue guy, that looks like a policeman or military person. He has a weapon in his hands and looks like he is in the midst of some sort of shoot out or protecting the public. Blue can signify peace or depression. In the context of this miniature, it seems more like depression. Police can symbolize structure, power, control, and authority. C.does seem to feel the burden of the control she places on herself and the burden of the structure she feels she must adhere to. Police can also signify the feeling of failure to honor obligations and commitments. Client was responsible for caring for her younger siblings while growing up; it is possible she has some unresolved feelings about that situation.

The fourth miniature selected was the purple heart. The heart is a very sad looking heart--very dark with some fissures showing in it. In the sandtray, the heart is by itself with a bridge a good distance away. Purple signifies healing abilities, kindness, love, and compassion. Since the heart reminds me of bleeding heart, I am going to use that analysis. Bleeding hearts signify extreme sadness, despair, the lack of love or support in some aspects of one’s life. I am wondering if this is the case. C.'s is wonderful about giving support to all who surround her, but does not necessarily receive such support.

The fifth miniature was the green guy. Green signifies health, hope, vitality, and even envy. He seems to be a superhero, and it seems that client has to be the hero to many people without having a hero to help her. The superhero can also represent someone you thought was strong, but disappointed you or let you down.

The sixth miniature was the blue mirror. Mirrors can mean pondering about who you really are or your inner self. This mirror is really blank, just a plastic facsimile, but not seeing yourself in the mirror may imply you have lost your self-identity, because you had to change to please others. This mirror is half-buried in the sand near the mask.

The seventh miniature selected was the bamboo bridge. A bridge can signify an important life decision or transition. This bridge leads to the broken, purple heart or away from it directly to Mickey Mouse, though there is distance between both.

The last miniature was the orange, punching bag guy. Orange signifies hope, friendliness, and sociability. He does look friendly but looms over much of the tray. The punching bag can signify pent up anger or feeling like a punching bag yourself, which is probably the case. Always serving others can be unsatisfying and unrewarding, it seems.


Sand Tray therapy class assignment

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Submit Your Creative Counseling Ideas / Lessons with Other Professionals / Publish Your Ideas Here!.

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

See our Exciting Selection of eBooks:

Award Winning:

Creative Counseling 101 eBook 
Our Best Seller!

Step By Step Therapy:

Learn how to be a more Creative Therapist with the Book that started it all!

- Graduate School Counseling book used by hundreds of graduate counseling students!

- Includes full color reproducible worksheets with most activities.

- Winner of the Counselor Writer of the Year Award, 2011, Georgia Regional Award

Download Your Copy Today Only $39.95: 

See Creative Counseling 101 eBook Information Here:

Get the Set
of all four  

eBooks for only $98.95:
An incredible collection of how to do therapy eBooks!
A $159.80 Value,
You Save Over $60!

Get your complete set of the Creative Counseling 101.com eBooks by Dr. Michelle Stangline for only $98.95, that's less than $25.00 per eBook (Regular Price is $39.95 for each eBook.).

Your complete set includes:

- Creative Counseling 101

- Creative Group Counseling 101

- Creative Play Therapy 101

- Creative Sand Tray 101

For more information click the link below:

See Complete Set of eBooks For Sale Here:

New!!! "Beyond Art Therapy" 101 eBook

Over 300 pages of Beyond Art Therapy activities and techniques. Learn what I teach graduate counseling students!

See the link below for more information.

Only $39.95

Art Therapy 101 eBook for Sale Link

See More Invividual eBooks For Sale:

Sand Tray Therapy 101 eBook:

Learn how to do Sand Tray Therapy or enhance your skills.

Sand Tray Therapy eBook for Sale Link

Play Therapy 101 eBook

Learn how to do play therapy or enhance your skills.

Play Therapy eBook For Sale Link

Small Group Counseling eBook For Sale:

Learn how to do creative group therapy and enhance your skills.

Creative Group Therapy eBook For Sale Link

School Counselor Guidance Lesson & Social Stories eBook for sale:

Get a year's worth of school counselor guidance lessons with "Creative Warm & Fuzzy Classroom Guidance Lessons eBook". Introduce your students to the "Warm & Fuzzy Way". Click the link below for more information:

Warm & Fuzzy School Counselor Guidance Lessons eBook