Lowenfeld used a Wonderbox of toys like other therapists but also introduced a tray of water and sand. This was the beginning of sandplay therapy
Sandplay takes the client to the deepest realms within themselves to access their subconscious. It is in this hidden part of themselves where they find their true nature. Sandplay therapy is a great way to work with children, adolescence and adults. It is also very effective when working with relationships. For children it provides a language of expression for their inner feelings that might otherwise be difficult if they had to speak it. For those adults who mainly operate from the mind it quickly brings them into the body feeling level where they can access who they really are. It allows their resistance to drop away. It clearly shows the person what the real issue is within themselves. Belief systems are clearly seen and externalised thus allowing the situation to be explored in a non-threatening way. Sandplay bypasses the mind and clearly shows our inner world. It not only allows for our feelings to come up but will only present the issue that the client is ready to deal with.
How then does sandplay work? Imagine a room filled with miniature objects such as trees, animals, people, buildings, cars, etc and a tray filled with sand. First the client connects with the sand and can make the sand into any shape they like. Miniature objects are then selected and placed by the client randomly in the tray wherever they like. As the client is working on a subconscious level the client does not choose the objects rather the objects choose the client. The client's subconscious thus has permission to express exactly what is going on inside them. When finished the therapist will support the client to look deeply within to find what the real issues are and to allow inner changes to happen. The therapist will then explore with the client at great depths the fullness of the body and the emotions and more importantly, the soul and the vibrational formations that make us who we are. It also explores their inner knowing and it is from this space that healing happens.
Sandplay therapy can take the client back to their core, to where the original decisions were made, where they hold onto belief systems that no longer serve them. The therapist works below the rational thinking mind to allow clients to see the depths of themselves.
Sandplay is recommended for spiritual as well as
personal work, for children and, in the most fruitful way, for healing rifts in
relationship. Change is most rapid when we can commune directly with the unconscious.
Sandplay is the most profound tool for self-discovery. The pieces and the arrangement
clearly show psychic complexities and connections which are normally unconscious. There is
no other technique that can show us so much, so succinctly and yet unobtrusively.
Sandplay Training
If you would like training in sandplay please go to her training website www.sandplayaustralia.com.au or phone Marg on +61 2 4567 0044.
Notes from some of Marg's clients regarding her work and her workshops.
"I wanted to give myself a chance to come down from the "high" of the weekend,
before I thanked you. What an extraordinary experience I’ve had. As I said, I had no
idea that the processing would be so powerful for me (and for the group). All credit to
your masterful facilitation and to the sandplay medium. I sense that I made some major
shifts – "come home" as Margaret puts it. The sense of being so present
with myself and my surroundings is still with me. What a blessing! "
"Please accept my warmest thanks and appreciation for opening the door to some amazing
and important new directions that I know I must now pursue. As usual my "angels"
have provided - with perfect timing – the perfect guides for the next part of my
journey. Truly exciting!!"
"Thank you both for a terrific weekend, body still catching up with my spirit."
"I love coming home because I notice so much! All the little things that validate this work. The weekend was so nurturing on every level - thank you Marg and Michael so very much. Can't wait till we meet again!"
"Marg-you are just too amazing for words- I loved the workshop and our sessions.I feel very safe, loved and supported and feel so blessed to have found you.THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!"
"The time spent with everyone was very special, we were meant to be together, the energy sure got it right this time. Now and then I give myself a big hug and remember all the love and affection that was given by everyone when we hugged each other, it's a real buzz. The energy healing session I had with Marg before I left and that was a blow-out, so feel much lighter now and ready to tackle anything."
And this from a freind of a friend of a friend as it were "What a remarkable change (in my child) and that was only after one session!" |
