Learning Objectives for ICST


The following learning objectives are a part of the ICST Sandtray Training program and are approved by the International Association for Sandtray Therapy (IAST) organization.


Level 1: Foundations and Applications of Sandtray Play Therapy 

This workshop comprehensively introduces sandtray play therapy, covering its history, foundational principles, and practical applications. Participants will explore the differences between sandtray and sand play therapy, learn about the materials needed for effective sandtray work, and develop skills for working with children and adults. The training emphasizes hands-on learning, including role-play scenarios, group activities, and case study analysis to deepen understanding of therapeutic processes. 

Special attention will be given to recognizing common themes in sandtray therapy, understanding developmental considerations for children and special populations, and exploring non-directive play therapy principles. The workshop also highlights the latest sandtray research, focusing on how sandtray therapy promotes emotional regulation and trauma healing. By the end, participants will feel equipped to incorporate sandtray techniques into individual, group, and family therapy settings.


Learning Objectives for Level One


Day 1 [level 1]

  1. Describe the history of sandtray work in play therapy.
  2. Differentiate between sandtray therapy and sand play therapy.
  3. Identify the materials needed for sandtray work, including miniatures, sand, and sand trays.
  4. Demonstrate the skills required to process sandtray work with adults and children.
  5. List 20 directives for sandtray work in play therapy provided by the instructor and generate additional directives based on case examples.
  6. Analyze several case studies of adults and or children to understand the therapeutic sandtray play therapy processes involved in treatment.
  7. Recognize 10 common themes in sandtray play therapy, including those indicative of mental health concerns and pathways to healing.
  8. Discuss the Therapeutic Powers of Play Therapy and its treatment implications within the sand tray.


Day 2 [level 1]

  1. Summarize developmental issues that arise in sandtray work with children and other special populations.
  2. Explain the principles of non-directive play therapy and how they apply to work with children in sandtray therapy.
  3. Participate in and demonstrate role-play scenarios involving sandtray play therapy work, including interactions specific to children and adults.
  4. Analyze case studies of children and or adults to identify the therapeutic processes occurring in sandtray play therapy treatment.
  5. Discuss and analyze the latest brain-informed research on the therapeutic benefits of sandtray in play therapy.
  6. Engage in a group sandtray activity and apply three methods for incorporating sandtray into group and family therapy settings.
  7. Discuss the importance of cultural humility in sandtray play therapy and identify strategies to create a culturally responsive and inclusive therapeutic environment.


Level 2: The Neuroscience of Sandtray Therapy

This advanced workshop delves into the neuroscience underpinning sandtray therapy within the play therapy setting. Participants will explore how engaging in sandtray therapy activates neural pathways that support emotional regulation, trauma processing, and brain integration. The training will examine the brain's response to sensory-rich environments, symbolic play, and the relational aspects of sandtray work, offering insights into its profound therapeutic impact. This workshop equips therapists to apply sandtray therapy more effectively with clients across diverse age groups and needs by connecting brain science to practical techniques.


Learning Objectives for Level Two


Day 1

  1. Describe the basics of brain structure and explain how these concepts relate to sandtray play therapy.
  2. Identify the key tenets of interpersonal neurobiology and apply them in a sandtray play therapy context.
  3. Analyze case studies to illustrate the integration of neuroscience with sandtray play therapy.
  4. Explain how different age groups engage in sandtray and play activities from a brain science perspective.
  5. Discuss the effects of trauma on the brain and examine how these effects influence sandtray play therapy.
  6. Demonstrate two or more new techniques for explaining brain structure in relation to play and sandtray therapy.
  7. Examine how cultural factors influence brain development and processing and discuss how these factors should be considered when working within the sandtray play therapy setting.

Day 2 [level 2]

  1. Describe Polyvagal Theory and explain its relevance to play and sandtray therapy.
  2. Interpret sand trays using brain science principles to identify therapeutic patterns and processes.
  3. Distinguish between implicit and explicit memories and explain their significance in therapy and play.
  4. Demonstrate key skills to enhance your effectiveness as a clinician/facilitator of sandtray play therapy.
  5. Apply brain science research principles to inform your practice in sandtray play therapy.
  6. Explain how sandtray therapy functions as a form of play therapy from a brain-informed perspective, including the nine integration pathways.

Level 3: Advanced Sandtray Therapy: Deepening the Therapeutic Process

This advanced workshop explores the transformative power of sandtray therapy within the play therapy setting. Participants will engage in personal sandtray experiences, which will deepen their understanding of how to process and work with clients in the sand. By reflecting on their own personal experiences in the tray, therapists will gain insights that enhance their ability to facilitate deeper, more meaningful work with clients. The workshop emphasizes the importance of personal engagement with the sandtray to deepen the therapeutic process, allowing therapists to better connect with clients and facilitate healing. This experiential approach will provide participants with practical tools to integrate sandtray work into their practice with greater depth and empathy.


Learning Objectives for Level Three


Day 1 [level 3]

  1. Explain how the brain processes experience through the sandtray and play therapy framework.
  2. Analyze personal case studies and instructor-provided examples from the playroom to identify key therapeutic processes.
  3. Engage in case consultations provided by participants to discuss potential approaches in sandtray and play therapy.
  4. Demonstrate personal sandtray work with the trainer and fellow participants to enhance understanding of the therapeutic process.
  5. Evaluate 2-3 different theories regarding the use of specific methods in sandtray therapy.
  6. Practice techniques in the sandtray from both the client's and therapist's perspectives to build practical skills.
  7. Develop and apply 5-6 processing prompts suitable for children and adults in sandtray play therapy.
  8. Discuss cultural and diversity considerations in sandtray play therapy and identify strategies to create inclusive and culturally responsive therapeutic interventions.

Day 2 [level 3]

  1. Analyze live demonstrations of the sandtray play therapy process to deepen the therapeutic process with clients.
  2. Critique and discuss the demonstrations using clinical tools and sandtray play therapy techniques.
  3. Design 1-2 sandtray therapy techniques grounded in a specific theoretical orientation.
  4. Evaluate and reflect on personal processing skills in sandtray therapy through group connection to deepen the therapeutic processing of client sand trays.
  5. Explain the significance of personal engagement with the sandtray as a tool for becoming a more effective therapist, demonstrated through experiential exercises.
  6. Discuss strategies for integrating sandtray and play therapy into other therapeutic models to enhance clinical practice.

Level 4: Advanced Sandtray: Trauma Recovery and Resiliency-Informed Sandtray Play Therapy

In this advanced sandtray training, participants will delve deep into the therapeutic realms of trauma recovery and resiliency building using sandtray play therapy. Designed for experienced therapists, this course offers a robust exploration of trauma-informed practices and resiliency techniques within the dynamic and creative framework of sandtray play therapy. Upon completing this course, therapists will have a comprehensive understanding of how to manage trauma within therapeutic settings effectively. Participants will be equipped with the skills to implement advanced trauma-informed and resiliency strategies in their practice, ensuring their clients receive empathetic, effective, and holistic care using sandtray play therapy.


Learning Objectives for Level Four


Day 1: [level 4]

  1. Utilize the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey to identify and understand trauma impacts, facilitating a deeper grasp of personal and client trauma experiences.
  2. Discuss various trauma types, including Complex, Spiritual, Mass, and Community Trauma, and articulate common beliefs held by trauma survivors.
  3. Describe and apply the three stages of trauma recovery in therapeutic settings, using sandtray and play therapy techniques to effectively support clients through each phase.
  4. Identify and explain current examples of trauma triggers, and trauma beliefs employing trauma-informed and resiliency-informed care strategies to manage and mitigate these triggers in therapy sessions.
  5. List and apply three specific question prompts or observational techniques that facilitate the processing of sandtrays with adults experiencing acute trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze), fostering deeper therapeutic engagement.
  6. Demonstrate three specific trauma-informed practices, such as Mindfulness Grounding and mind-body techniques, to stabilize adult clients during Sandtray & Play Therapy sessions, focusing on immediate efficacy and client safety.
  7. Implement targeted interventions to regulate a dysregulated nervous system, ensuring client stability and safety during therapy sessions.

Day 2 [level 4]

  1. Explain three key aspects of how trauma affects the nervous system and brain functions, and articulate this understanding in the context of Play Therapy and Sandtray Therapy to help adult clients grasp the impacts of their trauma.
  2. Utilize a trauma-informed lens to interpret and address risky behaviors observed in clients during Sandtray & Play Therapy sessions, enhancing therapeutic interventions.
  3. Describe how the sandtray therapy approach for an adult differs from that of an older school-aged child, tailoring interventions to suit varied developmental stages.
  4. Analyze live demonstrations of the sandtray play therapy process to identify effective therapeutic techniques and deepen the therapeutic engagement with clients.
  5. Design and refine 1-2 sandtray therapy techniques grounded in specific theoretical orientations, customizing approaches to meet individual client needs.
  6. Evaluate and reflect on personal processing skills within sandtray therapy through group discussions and connections, aiming to enhance personal efficacy and therapeutic outcomes.
  7. Explain the critical role of personal engagement and regulation with the sandtray as a tool for becoming a more effective therapist, highlighted through experiential learning and exercises.
  8. Design and implement sandtray therapy techniques that reflect diverse theoretical orientations and cultural competencies, enhancing the inclusivity and effectiveness of therapeutic practices.


Learning Objectives in the ICST Training


Learning Objectives are used for the ICST Trainings by Holistic Sandtray Institute, LLC.


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