How do you become a Sandtray therapist?

1.) What is Sandtray Therapy?

Sandtray therapy is a therapeutic tool therapists use with individuals who may have experienced previous trauma in their lifetime. Although this type of therapy is most often used with children, it can also be extremely helpful with teens or adults.

Typically Sandtray therapy utilizes a sand tray to asses, diagnose and treat a variety of mental illnesses.

2.) The difference between credentials and certifications:

Credentials are the highest designation in a field of expertise an are recognized by an independent organization. Whereas certifications signify the individual has completed the requirements set forth by a person or organization. Credentials require renewals, certifications do not typically require any ongoing requirements. Credentials are often nationally and internationally recognized by professional organizations and certifications may achieve limited recognition. To learn more about the differences you can click here. Currently there is only one organization that offers a credential for Sandtray therapy, the International Association for Sandtray Therapy (IAST).

3.) What is a Sandtray Therapist and what do they do?

A sandtray therapist is a mental health therapist who uses sandtray therapy techniques in his or her sessions. People tend to think not only in words, but also with images and the use of sand trays can help to activate this type of nonverbal manner of thinking. This helps the therapist asses, diagnose and treat their client by allowing them to communicate through the use of sand and miniatures. Emotional struggles often emerge through this process that the client may not have even been aware of in their conscious mind.

4.) Benefits of becoming a Sandtray Therapist:

There are extensive benefits to becoming a sandtray therapist which can help you grow as a clinician,  but also make communicating with clients who may have hit a verbal "block" so to speak in regular talk therapy. Working with sand and the miniatures helps to move clients to a deeper level more quickly than they may have been able to reach while relying solely on words. It is crucial to receive quality training in Sandtray therapy to become proficient with clients.

5.) Steps to become a Sandtray Therapist.

In order to become an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist (ICST), you must:

1. Complete levels 1-4 provided by an approved ICST-P, or approved provider trained and recognized by the IAST. You may find a full list of approved providers here. We, here at SandScapes, are a part of the approved list of providers. Register here today.
2. You must complete at least 15 hours of case consultation with an ICST-P. These are completed online between levels 2 and 3 of training.
3. You must complete at least 10 elective hours provided through the online members portal of the IAST or through attending the annual Sandtray Therapy Summit.

You can learn more about becoming an International Credentialed Sandtray Therapist (ICST) here.