Brain and Psyche: The neuropsychology of sandplay therapy and trauma
Advanced Training Series by Dr. Lorraine R. Freedle
live, interactive webinar REGISTER HERE
Course Description: Traumatic experiences may cause complex psychological and neurobiological changes. A disconnect between body and soul often takes place with both protective and persecutory functions (Kalsched, 2013). Sandplay therapy provides an enriched sensory and relational experience that promotes neurodevelopment and healing. As we touch and move sand, play freely, symbolize and self-reflect in the presence of an attuned therapist multiple brain systems are activated and synchronized. Drawing from Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics ® (NMT), research in neuroscience and sandplay therapy, cross-cultural mythology, Jungian theory and case studies this workshop will explore a neuropsychological perspective on how sandplay heals and transforms trauma (Freedle, 2017, 2019; Kalsched and Freedle, 2019).
Participants will also explore sandplay therapy with individuals with a variety of brain differences including those who have experienced posttraumatic stress disorder, complex developmental trauma, traumatic grief, learning and neurodevelopmental disorders, traumatic brain injury and more.
MODULE I
Saturday, June 5, 2021 Noon to 4 pm Hawai`i / 2 pm to 6 pm PST
- Brain and Psyche I: Sandplay and the Neurosequential Model
MODULE II
Saturday, June 12, 2021 Noon to 4 pm Hawai`i / 2 pm to 6 pm PST
- Brain and Psyche II: Neuropsychology of Sandplay and Trauma
MODULE III
Saturday, June 19, 2021 Noon to 4 pm Hawai`i / 2 pm to 6 pm PST
- Brain and Psyche III: Tending to Brain Differences in Sandplay
MODULE IV
Saturday, June 26, 2021 Noon to 4 pm Hawai`i / 2 pm to 6 pm PST
- Brain and Psyche IV: Sandplay and Neural Integration
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
- Define trauma and its effect on the brain, body, and psyche/soul.
- Describe brain and psyche in the neuropsychology of sandplay therapy.
- Apply principles of trauma-informed/sensitive care to sandplay practice.
- Apply current theories on trauma treatment (e.g., van der Kolk, Perry, Levine, Siegel, Kalsched and others) to sandplay practice.
- Describe activities in sandplay that correlate with functional domains of the brain in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics® (NMT)
- Identify brain systems/functions involved in Sandplay’s Sensory Feedback Loop (Freedle, 2007, 2019)
- Discuss the primacy of relational safety in trauma treatment.
- Describe how play and somatosensory engagement activate mind-body connections and stimulate neurodevelopment.
- Define “self-directed gradual exposure” and explain how the trauma narrative is expressed and re-processed in sandplay.
- Describe the function of the reflective process in sandplay therapy.
- Name four aspects of sandplay that promote neural integration and healing of trauma (Freedle, 2017).
- Define the nine domains of neural integration (Siegel, 2010) and recognize their appearance in sandplay.
- Describe the role of mythology in psychological healing.
- Identify the evidence base for the use of sandplay with children and adults who have experienced trauma.
- Apply knowledge about the neurobiology of empathy and stress to prevent vicarious trauma.
- Participate in experiential art and sandplay activities to deepen understanding of course content and its applications to clinical practice in sandplay.
Cost: $395- professionals / $325-students
Note: Program pending CE approval. Contact lrfreedle@gmail.com for additional information on CE’s and to request special considerations or ADA accommodations.
Course Flyer: Freedle-Brain&PsycheJUNE2021