Sandtray Therapy Books

Many people ask what Sandtray Therapy books I recommend.  Well, I love books and I love Sandtray Therapy... so this is the best of both worlds.

Let's start with the basics and move to more advanced books about Sandtray Therapy.

By the way, my business is an affiliate of Amazon, so if you click on the titles below and make a purchase, my business gets a small commission.  

Sandtray Therapy 4th Edition

by Linda E. Homeyer (Author), Daniel S. Sweeney (Author)

There is a new edition of this book and right now, the newer edition is cheaper than the older edition.  It might be because Amazon hasn't updated the titles yet.  The titles are actually the same on the books!  But on Amazon, the 3rd edition has a longer title "Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual" and the 4th newer edition has a shorter title "Sandtray Therapy", but remember, that's just on Amazon.   Don't let that fool you, the 4th edition is updated!

The newer book is the 4th edition and it includes neuroscience, trauma, DSM-5, and updated research about Sandtray Therapy.  

Advanced Sandtray Therapy 1st Edition

by Linda E. Homeyer (Author), Marshall N. Lyles (Author) (2021)

Yeah, we waited for an advanced sandtray book and it's finally here!  This book includes case studies and tips on how to work with specialized populations and topics, such as:

• refugees/immigrants
• military combat
• abused and neglected children
• trauma, intergenerational trauma, historical trauma
• those with neurological changes
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• and more...

Now let's talk about books that enhance sandtray therapy and play therapy.  Since sandtray therapy is diverse and multisensory, it can include so many creative approaches and interesting counseling theories.  

Neuroscience is a big topic that many therapists yearn to understand more clearly.  There are many great books about neuroscience, the ones below explain how sandtray therapy and the brain are connected.  In fact, sandtray therapy helps integrate the brain with all it's connections and making sense of the world around you.

Here are a few great books about neuroscience and sandtray/play therapy.

The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play: Brain-Building Interventions for Emotional Well-Being

by Theresa A. Kestly | Sep 29, 2014

Now we're talking neurobiology and play, which includes sandtray, and how the brain works with the emotions and vice versa.  

This book includes "the importance of play and brings a scientific eye to this most important aspect of life. Drawing on concepts of interpersonal neurobiology, the benefits of play interventions to achieve attunement, neural integration, healthy attachment, and the development of resilience and well-being become clear."

Neurobiologically Informed Trauma Therapy with Children and Adolescents: Understanding Mechanisms of Change (1st Edition)

by Linda Chapman (Author)

So how do we work with children and teens who have experienced trauma?  This book explains the physical, psychological, and cognitive reactions children have to traumatic experiences. 

It even goes into Right Brain development, communication, non-verbal and symbols in therapy.  There's examples of how to incorporate art, media, and tools  in therapy with two person biology.  Consider how sandtray can be used with art, media, and tools in therapy.

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