Sandplay Therapy | The Edinburgh Practice

What is sandplay therapy?

Clients use miniatures to create scenes or images in the sand, reflecting a “snapshot” of their inner world. This allows you to externalise complex thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to put into words.

Sandplay therapy is especially helpful if you find verbal expression difficult – for example children, neurodivergent individuals, or people affected by trauma. Its non-verbal nature lets therapy unfold in a calm, contained, and deeply respected way.

As a holistic, integrative practice rooted in Jungian theory and informed by neuroscience, sandplay therapy supports brain integration, emotional regulation, and healing from trauma. Clients often experience improved self-awareness, reduced anxiety, and greater emotional balance.

Who can benefit from sandplay therapy?

Sandplay therapy can help:

– Children (from age 5), adolescents, and adults with emotional or behavioural challenges
– Neurodivergent individuals
– People with disabilities
– Adults with dementia
– Anyone for whom talk therapy may feel overwhelming

How sandplay therapy compares to play therapy

Sandplay therapy and play therapy are both non-directive, symbolic approaches – but they draw on different theoretical traditions and tools. Here’s how they compare:

Sandplay (sandtray) therapy

– Tools: a sandtray and a collection of miniatures – people, animals, objects, and fantasy figures
– Theoretical basis: Jungian, integrative
– Focus: symbolic expression and the inner psyche
– The therapist’s role: observing and holding space, sometimes inviting you to reflect on your tray
– What it can help with: healing through symbolic integration, safely processing unconscious conflicts and trauma, bringing balance between the conscious and unconscious, emotional release and regulation, and calming the nervous system to reduce anxiety, overwhelm, and trauma responses

Play therapy
– Tools: a range of toys, games, and art materials
– Theoretical basis: psychodynamic
– Focus: behaviour, emotions, relationships, and play themes
– The therapist’s role: observing, and sometimes actively involved
– What it can help with: emotional expression and regulation, cognitive development such as problem-solving and decision-making, reducing stress and anxiety while building confidence and self-esteem, improving social and communication skills, and processing trauma and improving relationships

Sandplay Therapy FAQs

Sandplay therapy can help people of a wide range of ages – from children aged 5 and up, through to adolescents, adults, and older adults, including adults living with dementia. It’s often especially helpful for neurodivergent individuals, people with disabilities, and anyone who finds talk therapy overwhelming.

No – sandplay therapy is a non-verbal approach. You create scenes or images in the sand using miniatures, which lets you express complex thoughts and feelings without needing to put them into words. This can feel much more comfortable if you find verbal therapy difficult.

You’ll use a sandtray and a collection of miniatures – people, animals, objects, and fantasy figures – to create a scene that reflects what’s going on for you. Your therapist’s role is mainly to observe and hold a safe space for you, though they may sometimes invite you to reflect on what you’ve created.

This varies from person to person, depending on what you’re working through and how you respond to the therapy. Your therapist will discuss this with you and can give you a clearer sense of what to expect once they understand your individual needs.