Description
This in-person retreat is four days of personal and professional growth through exploration of sand, play, ceremony, cultural and ethical issues. Befriending paradox, drawing from principles of neuroscience, setting intentions, and integrating hands-on experiences will characterize the play and creative flow of this workshop. Participants will use simple art materials and sand tray play therapy to build bridges to the wisdom and guidance that is within each of us. This retreat is limited to 12 participants (Interview Required). No previous knowledge or artistic skills are required.
Application required for registration in this workshop.
Educational Goals
This training will help participants to:
- Describe the sand tray play therapy process from a science-informed perspective.
- Utilize awareness of Native American philosophy for working with Native American clients in the sand tray play therapy process.
- Apply the concepts of sand tray play therapy to the ceremonial aspects of community building.
- Use drumming and patterns of rhythm to create connection among group members through play therapy.
- Explain how play helps to build a resilient nervous system during sand tray play therapy.
- Compare and contract several indigenous healing traditions with sand tray play therapy.
- Describe ways to use sand, play, rhythm, and ritual for healing purposes across cultures.
- Discuss the importance of setting intentions in working with ethical and cultural issues in sand tray play therapy.
- Utilize a journaling process to deepen personal experience and understanding of using intention in setting ethical and cross-cultural goals for play therapy.
- Identify ethical issues of misappropriate traditional practices of indigenous people during playing therapy activities.
- Describe ways to create ritual and ceremony in sand tray play with cross-cultural and ethical issues in mind.
- Identify ways to apply the concepts leanred in this workshop for creating daily rituals that are personally and professionally meaningful.
Equipment
In-person training does not have any equipment requirement.
Prerequisites
Level 1-4; Graduate degree in mental health or enrolled in a graduate degree program in mental health. Interview is required prior to registration.
Please contact Theresa Kestly for prerequisite interview or to be placed on our WAIT list. Registration for the retreat will open in February 2026. Email: sandtraynm@gmail.com.
Continuing Education
This course is 20 contact hours.