Sand Tray Therapy - Dream Analysis Sand Tray S.B.

by Sherrie Bridges-Sinclair #9
(Macon, GA)

House within a house - hidden rooms Sand Tray Therapy - Dream Analysis Sand Tray S.B.

House within a house - hidden rooms Sand Tray Therapy - Dream Analysis Sand Tray S.B.

Dream Analysis for Sand Tray Therapy Class
The Dream:
In this dream I am being chased by someone, a man. I am not sure if I know this person or if he just broke into my home for some reason. Although I show him outside the house, he is actually in the house and he is definitely looking for me. The house is shown as a disjointed structure. The smaller round containers around the house are actually rooms within the house. The yellow tin can with a picture of a house on it is placed behind the round containers and the disjointed house to indicate that there is a house within a house; however, from the outside, it just appears as if there is one structure. The inner barriers are supposed to represent inner walls of the house. There is a fence in front of the house. While running and hiding, I have managed to call the police for help. I am hiding in one of the hidden rooms that I discovered while hiding in a closet. There is a small trap door (like that to an attic) in the closet that opens up to some stairs. When I go up the stairs, I discover an entirely different house with bedrooms that have beds and furniture. It is like these rooms are within the walls of the disjointed home.

Dream Symbolism:
Attackers/intruders from outside: social pressures or response to criticisms. Bedrooms: privacy, sex, intimacy, rest, feelings of wanting to retreat. First and other middle floors: internal needs, rest, sleep, hungers, the trunk. Finding extra rooms: recognition or discovery of previously unnoticed aspects, abilities, fears, or traits within oneself; if the discovery is distressing, this may reflect that a feeling of change in one’s status quo that is disturbing. Running up the stairs: escaping from urges arising lower down in the body or a feeling of failing, or not being capable. Wall: unconscious codes of behavior, belief systems, attitudes you live within or are protected by; the boundaries of behavior that you live within or are fearful of extending beyond, or are trapped by. Door: a boundary; the difference between one feeling state and another (depression and motivation). Door to strange landscape or world: finding entrance to the unconscious or a new realization. Furniture (bed) – shows exactly what you are doing in the subtle areas of your relationship; a desire to get away from the world, to withdraw into oneself, passivity (idiom – you made your bed, now lie in it); (closet) – memory, resources; different roles you play or attitudes expressed; hidden memories and emotions; skeletons in the closet. Hiding: hiding from feelings, avoiding something we don’t want to see; being protective. Man – ¬what you deeply need, fear, hope for, or avoid; a person in a dream shows one of your character resources or problems. Policeman/policewoman: sense of what is socially right or wrong, our innermost sense of rightness, therefore inhibitions, feelings of guilt or shame.

The Interpretation:
A few weeks ago, I lost my job. I felt as if I had been attacked by other’s comments and criticisms. Ever since that event, I have felt that I wanted to retreat and hide. I feel as if I was a failure and would be seen and judged by others as a failure. I am also tired and in need of mental and emotional rest. I am hiding the truth from my husband, and also from myself. Finding the extra rooms is more indicative of distressing feelings as a result in the change of status quo. I waffle between feelings of depression and motivation to move on to something new, and challenging – self-employment and starting my own business. For me, the police represent my need to be protected from the pain and loss of self-esteem; but they are far away, suggesting that I am alone and need to depend on my own internal resources to protect me from the external world and its negative criticisms (or my own internal criticisms and self-judgment about my abilities to succeed).

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*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.

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