80% of what we learn is visual
Elementary-aged children often carry deep feelings they can’t yet put into words. Sensitive children may retreat inward, have meltdowns, or worry excessively when they don’t know what else to do. In our work together, I offer a calm, creative, and non-directive space—where the pace is set by the child (or adult) in front of me.
With a full-sized sandtray and carefully selected play therapy toys, half of my office is equipped to create gentle worlds for emotions to surface and be seen. My office and the sandtray are a place discovery—where worries can be sifted, changes navigated like shifting currents, and self-expression grows.
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Sandtray therapy was developed in 1929 by researcher and psychologist Margaret Lowenfeld. It is a form of play therapy where clients use miniatures and sand to create stories that express complex emotions. Instead of talking about issues, clients show their experiences symbolically, with their therapist providing guidance and questions to help interpret what unfolds.
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As a visual learner fascinated by symbols and stories, I love using sandtray therapy. Many find it easier to communicate visually, especially those with trauma or neurodivergence. Our daily thoughts can loop endlessly, but by going nonverbal, we uncover hidden emotions and see our stories visually. Sandtray therapy is also an evidence-based method with an established body of research. Sandtray therapy’s universal language supports multilingual clients, children of immigrants, and those with challenging pasts, helping process trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more.
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My journey with sandtray therapy began in graduate school at the University of Florida, where I trained in play therapy techniques. I further honed my skills working with children and teens as a Brainpower Counselor at Girl’s Place in Gainesville, FL. I have continued to deepen my expertise through workshops with the Southern Sandtray Institute. My office holds a carefully curated collection of hundreds of miniatures and a full-sized sandtray, and I’m passionate about using this powerful tool with adults and adolescents to foster healing and insight.
Sandtray therapy is especially helpful for children who:
Have trouble putting emotions into words
Worry about making mistakes or being judged
Feel overwhelmed in social situations
Struggle with perfectionism or shutting down emotionally
Through play, we can uncover themes and patterns in your child’s emotional world, teach them coping skills, and help them reframe their self-image in a way that builds resilience and confidence.
Benefits of sandtray for kids:
Builds emotional vocabulary
Calms anxiety through tactile, sensory play
Encourages problem-solving and flexible thinking
Strengthens self-confidence by validating creative ideas
Improves social skills through roleplay and perspective-taking
Sandtray Area Videos
I love to keep my minis stored in open shelving with clear bins and boxes. Everything is labeled for stress-free cleanup and ease of finding the right item. Every toy is up for grabs and you can take your time picking them. No need to be shy!
Here is an example of an unstructured scene made for fun. I will give you the option of a prompt, for example "Show me a safe space," and then we will process what you made together through a series of questions.
