Foundations of Jungian Sandplay Therapy: Core Skills for Clinical Practice

Micro-credential Program at Pacifica
This course is part of the Pacifica Graduate University Extension Program and International Studies:  “Micro-credential”

Course Description:People who have experienced deep emotional pain, trauma, or loss often struggle to express themselves through words. Jungian Sandplay Therapy offers a safe and effective way for children and adults to give form to the unspeakable. Rooted in Carl Jung’s understanding that images, symbols, and play provide direct access to the unconscious, sandplay creates a “free and protected” space that activates the psyche’s natural capacity for healing and transformation.

This experiential workshop introduces therapists to the foundational skills of Jungian Sandplay Therapy as founded by Dora Kalff. Participants will learn practical steps for introducing sandplay to clients, conducting sessions, responding to symbolic expression, and developing a miniature collection for diverse clinical settings. Through guided activities, video demonstrations, and visual case studies, therapists will distinguish sandplay from other play therapy methods and explore how sand, symbols, play, and the therapist’s presence work together to bring forth psychological growth and well-being. The course will also address real-world concerns—including multicultural applications, the evidence base for sandplay, documentation, and ethical considerations for integrating Jungian Sandplay Therapy into clinical practice.

This Course is Ideal If:  (Who are the intended students? Feel free to use bullets)

• Graduate students and therapists seeking practical skills and a foundational understanding of Jungian Sandplay Therapy.
• Clinicians who wish to enrich their psychotherapy practice through the integration of Sandplay Therapy.
• Students and professionals interested in deepening their ability to work with symbolic language, silence, and therapeutic presence in clinical work.
• Individuals pursuing or considering training toward becoming a Certified Sandplay Therapist^©.

Course Overview:

Week One:  Overview of Jungian Sandplay Therapy and the Power of Symbols

• Participants will identify the core principles and distinguishing qualities of Jungian Sandplay Therapy and apply concepts to a video demonstration of a sandplay session. Symbolic language in psychotherapy practice will also be explored as participants complete a guided personal symbol study in class.
• Supplies: Bring a miniature/symbol that is special to you and art supplies of your choice to create an image.

Week Two: Jung’s Model of the Psyche in Sandplay Therapy

• Participants will explore the three roots of sandplay therapy with an emphasis on its Jungian foundation. They will examine Jung’s structures of the psyche and the individuation process as these concepts appear in the sandplay process of children and adults.  Through a guided art exercise participants will gain insight into parts of their own psyche including persona, ego, complexes, shadow, and Self.
• Supplies: Bring a piece of white copy paper and colored pencils.

Week Three:  Securing the “Free and Protected Space” in Sandplay Therapy

• Participants will explore presence, co-transference, and interconnectedness within the therapeutic relationship during and after sandplay therapy. A compelling case study, Ese’s Emancipation, will bring these concepts to life. Ese (a pseudonym) is a gang-involved young man who experienced abuse and neglect in childhood. Throughout his sandplay process, he struggles with traumatic stress, mistrust, and violence as he faces adulthood alone, while his therapist encounters her own challenges within their evolving relationship.
• Supplies: Bring a miniature/symbol that is grounding for you.
• Note: At the end of week three, please submit a practical question you would like addressed in week four.

Week Four:  Practical and Ethical Considerations for Sandplay Practice

• Practical considerations will include how to introduce and conduct a sandplay therapy session, develop a miniature collection, prepare the therapeutic space, photograph trays, manage cleanup, and document the encounter. Ethical issues in sandplay training and practice will also be explored, along with a review of the evidence base, benefits and contraindications, and multicultural considerations.
• Supplies:

By the End of This Course You Will Be Able To: 

1. Describe the three roots and seven key principles of Jungian Sandplay Therapy, and apply concepts to video demonstrations and case studies of sandplay therapy.
2. Distinguish sandplay from other play therapy methods that use sand and miniatures, and from verbal Jungian approaches.
3. Assess how play, symbolic language, image, and therapeutic presence promote psychological development in sandplay with children and adults.
4. List ten categories and develop essential skills to set-up a sandplay miniature collection across a variety of clinical settings.
5. Identify and demonstrate skills for securing “the free and protected space” in sandplay therapy.
6. Identify the multicultural applications, evidence base, and professional guidelines for the ethical practice of Jungian Sandplay Therapy.

 Course Textbook:  

• Freedle, L. R. (2025). Getting Started in Sandplay Therapy. E-book. Black Sand Neuropsychology. https://lorrainefreedle.com/product/pdf-getting-started-in-sandplay-therapy/.

Additional Readings:

Bradway, K., with Zappacosta, J. D. (2022). Transference and countertransference in sandplay therapy. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 31(2), 95–101. https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.2022.31.2.358

Freedle, L.R. (2018). Birth, rebirth and interconnectedness in sandplay.  In D. Sherwood and B. Jackson (eds.), (pp. 207-222). Into the Heart of Sandplay. Analytical Psychology Press.

Kalff, D. (1991). Introduction to sandplay therapy. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 1(1), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.1991.01.1.224.

Weinrib, E., with Zappacosta, J. D. (2022). Diagram of the psyche. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 31(2), 103–106. https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.2022.31.2.887.