jeudi 1 février 2018

Explore Feelings And Emotions Using Sand Tray Therapy

By Donna Graham


Young children and teenagers often have a very difficult time verbalizing the things they are struggling with inside. There are a lot of pressures that kids today have to deal with so finding an effective outlet for them to express their needs and concerns is especially important. Many therapists have found sand tray therapy to be an innovative and useful way for their clients to find their voice.

The name of this therapeutic approach is pretty self descriptive. It employs the use of a sandbox, miniature figurines, and in some circumstances, water might also be included. The individual uses these items in order to create settings and scenes from the world inside their mind as a means to reflect and express their thoughts, feelings, struggles, and concerns.

This concept is centered around the base ideal that children are naturally drawn to play and that when allowed to do so without interference or direction, adults can learn a lot. Sandbox sessions provides a safe outlet through which they may feel at ease enough to demonstrate a bit of what is happening in their young minds. Without pressure, a child can be comfortable and secure.

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.

Although playing in the sandbox may not seem like a traditional approach to helping a child cope with something that is bothering them, it has shown great promise and effectiveness, especially for those who are verbally challenged. It is a simple concept with a passive nature that promotes safety and comfort. Each therapist may make adjustments as dictated by the individual situation.




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