For a lot of people - particularly children and teens - verbalizing internal struggles can be difficult. Today's world comes with more pressures and concern for young people than ever before, so it is important to find a way for them to express the things that are bothering them so that they can get the help they need. Some innovative therapists are using sand tray therapy as a means of providing clients such an outlet.
This therapeutic approach's name pretty much describes what it is. It involves using a sandbox, a variety of miniature figurines, and sometimes water. Utilizing these tools, the client will be free to set up various scenes from their mind to create a scenario that expresses their feelings, concerns, thoughts, or struggles, without actually having to verbalize them.
The fact that children have a natural inclination towards play is the base idea for this therapeutic approach. When left to explore their own thoughts in a safe and interactive environment without adult interference or guidance, a child might inadvertently reveal a great deal about what concerns them. The absence of threat or pressure helps to relax the client so they are comfortable enough to be open.
Therapist believe that when given the freedom to express themselves, most children are capable of working through many of their issues on their own and begin a self-healing process. At the right moment, the therapist might choose to try and initiate a conversation with the child for further explanation as to what is happening in their scenes. Things that they cannot express with words, may be easier to demonstrate with the figurines.
This approach works well with very young children who do not yet have the verbal capability or the mental maturity to express what they are experiencing or clearly describe their feelings. However, play is something that they understand very well and by observing them in action, the therapist can get an idea of what they need to say. Kids often utilize play time as a way to act out things that they are seeing in their real life.
Regardless of age, many autistic individuals find this approach to be quite helpful. It is a way of using sensory input that is both comfortable for these individuals and a means of showing their thoughts to others. Therapist find the sandbox an effective way of communicating with those who can not verbalize, and to better determine the best ways to address their issues further.
In most cases, the therapist does not suggest any scenarios, because the point of this practice is to permit the child to process their thoughts on their own in order to seek a solution. The client may require only a single session, or they may need multiple weeks, months, or years, based upon their own unique situation. Patience and observation are the key are essential to success.
As a therapeutic coping mechanism, sandbox play may seem completely nontraditional, though it is quite effective, particularly with children who have problems verbalizing. This is a passive and simple concept that centers around the client feeling safe and comfortable. Adjustments to the approach may be made by the therapist as individual situations dictate.
This therapeutic approach's name pretty much describes what it is. It involves using a sandbox, a variety of miniature figurines, and sometimes water. Utilizing these tools, the client will be free to set up various scenes from their mind to create a scenario that expresses their feelings, concerns, thoughts, or struggles, without actually having to verbalize them.
The fact that children have a natural inclination towards play is the base idea for this therapeutic approach. When left to explore their own thoughts in a safe and interactive environment without adult interference or guidance, a child might inadvertently reveal a great deal about what concerns them. The absence of threat or pressure helps to relax the client so they are comfortable enough to be open.
Therapist believe that when given the freedom to express themselves, most children are capable of working through many of their issues on their own and begin a self-healing process. At the right moment, the therapist might choose to try and initiate a conversation with the child for further explanation as to what is happening in their scenes. Things that they cannot express with words, may be easier to demonstrate with the figurines.
This approach works well with very young children who do not yet have the verbal capability or the mental maturity to express what they are experiencing or clearly describe their feelings. However, play is something that they understand very well and by observing them in action, the therapist can get an idea of what they need to say. Kids often utilize play time as a way to act out things that they are seeing in their real life.
Regardless of age, many autistic individuals find this approach to be quite helpful. It is a way of using sensory input that is both comfortable for these individuals and a means of showing their thoughts to others. Therapist find the sandbox an effective way of communicating with those who can not verbalize, and to better determine the best ways to address their issues further.
In most cases, the therapist does not suggest any scenarios, because the point of this practice is to permit the child to process their thoughts on their own in order to seek a solution. The client may require only a single session, or they may need multiple weeks, months, or years, based upon their own unique situation. Patience and observation are the key are essential to success.
As a therapeutic coping mechanism, sandbox play may seem completely nontraditional, though it is quite effective, particularly with children who have problems verbalizing. This is a passive and simple concept that centers around the client feeling safe and comfortable. Adjustments to the approach may be made by the therapist as individual situations dictate.
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You can find a summary of the benefits you get when you use sand tray therapy services at http://www.juliecast.net/Aboutme.html right now.
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