Sand Tray Therapy with Catherine DeMonte, LMFT

Catherine DeMonte, LMFT - Play and art therapy are forms of psychotherapy that help children source their feelings in a nonthreatening (and possibly non-VERBAL) way. I do a lot more sandtray therapy than any other form of play therapy and I imagine that a lot of why that is so is due to the fact that as soon as children enter my office they see two walls full of miniatures and two sand trays at the perfect height for playing in.

The combination of the toys in the room along with an alliance with a therapist, an adult well versed in helping a child attain their best self in an environment of non-judgment is a powerful, supportive and loving way in which a child can explore whatever it is they are dealing with. It is almost magical how powerful it is, yet this also says so much about a child's deep knowing of him/herself -- in that by choosing the figures they do, the archetypes if you will, and playing with them they resolve the inner struggles or hurts that they carry. If we adults can jump back and get out of their way and honor a child's play (which is their work) it is miraculous to see the depth of their wisdom and what amazing good comes from it.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Catherine DeMonte
• LMFT
• children
• play therapy
• Sand Child