Sandtray therapy is a psychological process which helps people work through any painful conscious (known) or unconscious (unknown) memories.
Sand play enables people to unconsciously process an issue by representing it in their sand world, by manipulating miniatures/symbols that represent daily activities, people, buildings, movement, nature, spirituality and more.
As a whole brain activity clients learn to explore their internal feelings, emotions, bodily sensations and images expressed in ‘sand worlds’ by parts of the brain that have no verbal language. Once this image is expressed externally a dialogue between client and therapist begins as issues are explored. These can be past childhood memories or current issues. The experience can be verbal or non-verbal. Meaning children do not need to talk about what has been expressed in their ‘worlds’, adults do not need to re-address their childhood trauma. The building of their worlds is often enough to start the process of an inner resilience.
Sandtray therapy as an integrative approach aligning to different theoretical orientations and frameworks.
Opengate Institute trains students in these approaches and how to apply them to your own approach whatever it may be.
Sandtray therapy graduates use this method as a standalone way to work in areas of disabilities, NDIS, with Indigenous children, early childhood, private practice, schools, community services or within government services such as OOHC or private institutions. It can also be integrated with:
Fiona is one of Australia’s leading clinical Sandtray therapists and Professional trainers who’s passion for Sand therapies is contagious.
Fiona is the lead trainer at Opengate Institute which is a registered training organisation delivering a very high level of sand therapy training. Fiona began her career in mental health as a registered Counsellor after completing her Bachelor degree. Fiona then went on to train as a Sandplay therapist with STANZA an affiliate of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST), her trainers included many highly esteemed international Sandplay analysts and therapists. She also studied with Marg Garvin, Sandplay Australia. Fiona then went on to develop her own training program that takes the best of Sandplay and Sandtray Therapy to develop a training program with the only government accreditation in Australia – 11242NAT Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy.
Fiona has also written two books – A Parents Guide to Psychological Well-being for Children, A Therapists & Teachers Guide to Psychological Wellbeing for the Inner Child. (Volume 2).
Contact Fiona for Private Supervision Sessions.
As Australia’s only Registered Training Organisation (RTO) accredited to deliver the nationally recognised course 11242NAT Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy, you may have the following questions.
Can I set up in my private practice for client contact hours?
Yes, you can work with your clients in private practice. Ethically you may decide to abstain from charging a fee if you are doing Sandtray Therapy client contact hours.
Can I work with family?
We don’t advise you work with family, things could get too complicated.
I don’t currently have a workplace, so how do I get clients?
You could approach your local neighbourhood centre, age care centre or other community services centre and inform them of the service you are offering and why.
What do I need if I am working with children?
You will need your Working with children check and Police Check.
What if I am working with adults?
You will need to apply for a current Police Check.
Can I work in schools?
If you are confident or currently work in a school or have contacts then Yes.
The ANZMHA member benefits have been carefully curated to provide you access to sector-leading support and offers on programs, services and courses to enhance your professional learning. Membership is free for anyone to join.
Opengate Institute are continuously advocating for our students to help with recognition as you become qualified Sandtray Therapists. We also support students who need insurance during their training.
In partnership with the International Institute of Complementary Therapists students can purchase insurance for as little as $1.00 Yes you read that correctly!
Follow this link to take advantage of this offer. Once you complete your studies you will be able to purchase full membership insurance to practice as a sandtray therapist.
Use the following
Referral code
1OPENGATEIN89
Once you have gained your qualifications and you want to start to promote yourself, we have advocated with Natural Therapy Pages for a separate section under the generic term Sandplay.
We have advocated with Psychology Today, which is a paid marketing platform, to accept your Qualification in Sandtray Therapy (Postgraduate Certificate) or the current (Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy). See their website for details.
