SANDTRAY THERAPY IS A verbal or NON-VERBAL TACTILE BASED EXPRESSIVE THERAPY.
It enables EXPRESSION, GROWTH AND RESILIENCE.
Sandtray therapists are tRAUMA INFORMED and provide a SAFE SPACE for individuals from all ages, cultural backgrounds and ability levels.
WHAT IS SANDTRAY THERAPY?
Sandtray Therapy enables an individual to express their world, thoughts and experiences through play.
The tactile expressive play enables individuals to explore their internal feelings, spiritual being and feel bodily sensations when building a Sandworld that is being expressed from the individual’s inner world.
The support of a trained Sandtray Therapist in a safe space where empathy and safety are paramount for the individual to express and process.
Sandtray Therapists are trauma informed and create a safe, cultural and emotional space for healing.
HOW DOES SANDTRAY THERAPY WORK?
This therapeutic approach involves an individual using symbols to create a Sandworld in a blue wooden sandtray with sand.
The sand can be regulating, and the blue colour of the tray can represent the water or sky in a Sandworld story.
Symbols may represent people, movement, spirituality, activities or an experience.
Each Sandworld is a chapter amongst a story as the sessions progress. Each chapter connects to the next to then show a story. This is where the sand is magic, the expression is evident, and resilience is possible.
Sandtray Therapy can be a verbal or a non-verbal expressive process.
WHO CAN EXPERIENCE SANDTRAY THERAPY?
Individuals aged 3 years and above can attend Sandtray Therapy. Group Therapy is also an option. There are no age barriers or dynamics to expression and healing.
Individuals experiencing Anxiety, PTSD, Grief and Loss, Complex Trauma demonstrate expression and resilience with Sandtray Therapy.
Individuals with conditions such as ASD and ADHD can experience regulation of emotions, increase fine motor skills, increased hand eye coordination, language development, and demonstrate their own creativity.
WHAT DOES SANDTRAY THERAPY LOOK LIKE?
COntact MELISSA
Melissa is a Registered Nurse and Sandtray Therapist with over 15 years of experience in the Public and Private Health Settings including hospital and community-based roles. Her work experience extends across Australia including Victoria, The Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Melissa has experience in Indigenous Health and FIFO roles, to Urban based roles alongside teaching experience at post graduate level.
Melissa has extensive experience working with individuals ages 3 years and above from all cultures and backgrounds. Melissa enjoys working with families, schools, childcare services and other community services to holistically support her clients who experience sandtray therapy to express and grow.
Her passion for advocacy is evident, Melissa works hard in supporting individual needs and working closely with their multidisciplinary team, family and carers to find a voice and help individuals live to their potential. Education is a passion for Melissa, and she views working with others in the health setting a privilege.
Melissa is a mum to two young children and knows first-hand how Advocacy, Education, Mental Health support and Sandtray Therapy is helping individuals’ find a voice for their stories and experiences.
To witness an individual’s growth and confidence in life’s journey is truly humbling.