understand the underlying family issues and dynamics, rather than children (Landreth & Bratton, 2019).
Family Sandtray Therapy may also be utilized with children of divorce. It is an expressive psychotherapy technique that assists individuals and families in addressing intra- and interpersonal issues using sand tray materials as a nonverbal means of communication (Homeyer & Sweeney, 2017).
in the sandtray and allowing the therapist to guide the family in discussing and addressing these issues in a safe and creative environment. This therapeutic approach leverages the power of imagery and symbolism, making it
less intimidating and more In this form of
play therapy, clients use a sandtray and various miniatures to and strengths. This method encourages clients to express their thoughts, feelings, and their perspectives in a symbolic manner, while facilitating deeper understanding and resolution of issues (Homeyer & Sweeney, 2017).
One sandtray prompt with a family could be to "build your family’s world" in the sandtray. Each family member would then choose miniatures that represent themselves and other family members, arranging them to depict
their perceptions and relationships
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 2017). One child might select a superhero to represent their father, symbolizing strength and protection, while positioned at a distance to show a sense of separation or fear. Another prompt might be "show me the problems your family is
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accessible for all family members (Homeyer & Sweeney, 2017). Children with divorced parents experience heightened anxiety, depression, anger, and antisocial behavior more than those from intact families (Clarke-Stewart, 2006). Negative perceptions of divorce, including blaming their parents or themselves and fearing abandonment, can exacerbate anxiety and harm self-esteem (Cummings & Davies, 2011). Family Sandtray Therapy is particularly helpful for families dealing with parental divorce because it creates a safe and accepting environment where family members can freely express their emotions and experiences using sand, water, better communication and understanding among family members by allowing families to externalize their thoughts and emotions in a visual and tangible way.
Research supports the effectiveness of Sandtray Therapy with children experiencing divorce. In one study, researchers examined the feelings of children by utilizing in-depth interviews with parents and teachers before the sandtray therapy sessions. This revealed that children experiencing divorce often feel sadness, anger, worry, children who participated in sandtray play therapy following their problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, feelings of abandonment) impulsivity) compared to those who did not participate (Lee et without needing interpretation, verbalization, or conscious and unresolved experiences in a safe environment (Lee et al., 2018).
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Considerations While parental involvement is crucial to a child’s success in play therapy (Waltz & Bleuer, 2013), play therapists might struggle to engage parents positively in family play therapy sessions especially therapist must get consent from both parents, even if both parents are not involved (Waltz & Bleuer, 2013). After recognizing the strong impact of Adlerian, Filial, and Sandtray Therapy, it may not always be possible for these sessions to be conducted consistently due to various constraints. Unfortunately, there may be instances where parents misuse counseling sessions by wrongly engaging their children, aiming to gain advantages in custody battles (Waltz & Bleuer, 2013). This can lead to children experiencing divided loyalties,
forming alliances, becoming estranged, and facing
alienation (Waltz & Bleuer, 2013). Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for creating comprehensive treatment plans and fostering
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