Trauma in the playroom can feel dark, heavy, and overwhelming, even for seasoned play therapists. This on-demand training offers a clear, neuroscience-informed map for how to use Sand Tray Therapy, Therapy Cards and other creative modalities to safely guide clients through trauma while staying grounded and regulated yourself.
This on-demand training offers a clear, neuroscience-informed map for how to use Sand Tray Therapy to safely guide clients through trauma while staying grounded and regulated yourself.
☀️ Explore photos of children’s sand play to learn how to read the energy in the room as an indicator of what the sand play may be communicating.
☀️ Watch three full case studies (with step by step images): a middle school girl using therapy cards and miniatures, and two separate adult cases to see how trauma themes unfold and how to respond.
☀️ Learn a Therapeutic Card Activity that uses sand tray miniatures to deepen insight and healing.
What You Will Gain
☀️ A deeper understanding of how trauma presents in sand play across developmental stages.
☀️ Practical ideas for initiating sand tray work with children, teens, and adults, even in mid-session with talk therapy clients.
☀️ Inspiration and confidence to bring Sand Tray Therapy into your own trauma work.
On-Demand Format: Video Recorded Class
Self Paced Therapist Training
4 Non-Contact APT CEs
4 NBCC CEs (On-Demand)
$99
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
🍎 Explain the importance of regulation, attachment, the brain and nervous system, and safety in relation to processing trauma in the playroom.
🍎 Compare an ecosystemic or Jungian approach to sand tray with child-centered sand play in trauma-focused sessions.
🍎 Describe how trauma processes in the brain and the role of deliberate brain integration during sand tray play therapy sessions.
🍎 Identify sand tray materials and therapeutic card activities useful for trauma-focused play therapy.
🍎 Identify when and how to initiate a sand tray during a talking session with older children, teens, and adults.
☀️ Play therapists and creative clinicians wanting a reliable framework for trauma-focused sand tray work.
☀️ Therapists who want to understand tray themes without over-interpreting or rushing the process.
☀️ Clinicians who appreciate learning through real case demonstrations.
☀️ Therapists looking for practical, repeatable sand tray and therapy card ideas.
☀️ Anyone seeking CE hours that truly support effective, regulated trauma work.