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CSTT02 - Certificate Pathway in Sandtray Therapy

GUIDED Learning
Pathway Course in Sandtray Therapy (CSTT02) for current experienced allied health professionals looking to add Sandtray Therapy to their skill set.

Guided Learning
Enjoy a well supported online community with:
Live online weekly lectures with your trainer, not pre-recorded materials
Ongoing clinical group supervision and case study conceptualisations
Small class size so you can join in the conversation and participate
Meet and interact with your fellow villagers on-campus with our 5 day intensives

Course Start Date – 2nd February 2026
5 Day Intensive Classroom Practical Date – 13th – 17th April 2026

5 unit course with an additional 60 client contact hours and a mandatory 5 day intensive classroom training.

Payment Plans – Pay per unit – 5 x instalment payments.

Enrolment into this course gives you a pathway into the 11242NAT Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy.

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Course Description

Sandtray Therapy is a cross-theoretical evidence-based method that compliments a multi-disciplinary approach to mental health and wellbeing. Applied across the lifespan with diverse clients with diverse issues as a non-verbal psychotherapy. Research in this field shows that sandtray/sandplay therapy is effective in many areas of health and mental wellbeing, including early intervention.

  • Transpersonal experience in the hands on practical workshops
  • Clinical Assessment Mapping Document (ST_CAMD) integrate theories in practical application for reports
  • Pluralistic theories: development, attachment, psychosocial, IFS, and more
  • Experience the knowledge and wisdom of the group
  • Explore purpose and meaning in a clients life to support psychological growth
  • Apply symbol work knowledge to understand the metaphor and deeper meaning of sand worlds
  • Understand how to work with diverse groups, ages and stages of development and be work ready
  • How to set up as a Sandtray/Sandplay therapist

    • In the in-person classroom sessions and online supervision students can personalise their learning needs, this serves to bring a wealth of knowledge into the group whilst giving students the precise skill sets needed to apply sandtray/sandplay therapy. Examples include: ‘early intervention’, students would learn to master the skills in using the sand for ages 3 – 6 years as a regulation tool, ‘autism’, students learn how to work within the range of their clients sensory needs, ‘teenagers’, how do we get the teenagers/adolescents to talk therapy? Through symbolic language, we teach you how.

    Completion of this course gives students a pathway to the NAT11242 Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy.

    Course dates

    DateLocation 
    27 Jan 2026 – 21 Aug 2026Opengate Institute Western Sydney Richmond NSWRegister

    Delivery mode

    Guided Learning with classroom intensive – written learning and assessments modules are interactive; including videos, readings and activities supported by your user friendly Student Portal.

    Guided Learning
    Enjoy a well supported online community with:
    * Live online weekly lectures with your trainer, not pre-recorded materials
    * Ongoing clinical group supervision and case study conceptualisations specific to sandtray therapy
    * Small class size, allowing you to join in the conversation and participate
    * Meet and interact with your fellow villagers on-campus with our 5 day intensive class

    Online Learning and Assessment
    Includes:
    * Library with research resources, Readings, Assessment Documents, Supporting Documents
    * Online learning materials including: videos, articles and research
    * Tutorials – weekly 1 hour online (min. 75% attendance per unit)
    * Sandtray therapy pre-post test questionaires
    * Assessments are a combination of written, presentation, role play, and log books
    * Log Books for client contact hours for unit NAT11242001 60 hours
    * Sandtray Therapy Supervision Log Book

    Classroom Based Learning
    On-campus 5 Day Intensive training where students gain skills and knowledge in applications in the diverse ways of using the sand includes:
    * Transpersonal psychotherapy – any underlying issues you have not resolved may come up in training at this advanced level
    * Symbol Work, self-trays and working in pairs
    * Role Plays to integrate theory to practise

    **Please note: you cannot learn sandtray therapy online only, you need to experience the role of the therapist in a group setting with an experienced sandtray therapist/trainer.

    Duration

    Full time guided learning – 25 weeks (5 weeks per unit), plus 5 Day Classroom Practical Training, plus 60 hrs. of client contact/logbook.
    Tutorials – 1 hr weekly Zoom

    Overview
    Learn theories as related to sandtray therapy and how to identify unmet needs
    Transpersonal Psychotherapy – any underlying issues you have not resolved may come up in the 5 day training at this advanced level
    Symbol Work in sandtray the role of the unspoken or methaphorical language
    Role Plays – during in-person practical training
    Supervision – Case Conceptualisations (5 – 10 hours group/online)
    Tutorials – held weekly during the scheduled term period, 1 hour per week online (min. 75% attendance)

    60 hours client contact hours in a workplace setting – This can be in your current workplace or a setting such as community service centre.

    Entry requirements

    Entrants into this course must:
    – meet any regulatory requirements for working with children and satisfy police checks in the relevant Australian State/Territory;
    AND have successfully completed:
    – Bachelor degree in an area of Behavioural Science, Counselling or Education; OR completed
    – Diploma of Counselling or Community Services (or its equivalent); AND
    – have a minimum of 3 years relevant vocational experience; AND
    – have a level of language (written and oral), that demonstrates their potential to undertake study at AQF level 8.

    Assessment requirements

    This course consists of 5 x units of competency from the Nationally Recognised 11242NAT Graduate Diploma of Sandtray Therapy Training Package.

    Assessments in these units of competency are designed so you can deep dive into how sandtray therapy can be used for assessing your clients, various client presenting issues and to consolidate your learning, but we are with you every step of the way, so don’t worry about not being able to complete the assessments.

    Students will complete a combination of written activities, case studies role plays, presentations, log books and Sandtray Therapy Supervision.

    Course fees

    • Enrolment Fee: $50.00 AUD paid by Student (upfront payment)
    • Unit 1 – NAT11242001 Conduct Sandtray: $1175.00 AUD paid by Student
    • Unit 2- NAT11242002 Conclude and Monitor Sessions: $1175.00 AUD paid by Student
    • Unit 3 – CHCCSL004 Research & Theories: $1175.00 AUD paid by Student
    • Unit 4 – NAT 11242004 Apply symbol work in Sandtray Therapy: $1175.00 AUD paid by Student
    • Unit 5 – NAT 11242003 Plan and Provide Sandtray Therapy in a Group Setting: $1175.00 AUD paid by Student

    Payment Options

    Debit/Credit card payment via secure system (Stripe) as well as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

    Qualification

    Certification as a Statement of Attainment

    Units of competency

    Core Units

    • CHCCSL004 – Research and apply personality and development theories
    • NAT11242001 – Conduct Sandtray therapy sessions
    • NAT11242002 – Conclude and monitor sessions
    • NAT11242003 – Plan and provide Sandtray Therapy in a group setting
    • NAT11242004 – Apply symbol work in Sandtray Therapy

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    Information?

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