Sand Tray Theories and Practice: Play Therapy Across the Lifespan

August 16-17th, 2025

9am - 4:30pm PST

Location: Downtown Bend Library, Meyer Room

601 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97703

12 NASW/APT Contact CEs Pending. APT Approved Provider # 25-761

Level: Beginner

Workshop Overview: This two-day intensive training offers mental health professionals a developmentally and theoretically grounded introduction to sand tray therapy across the lifespan. Participants will explore both directive and non-directive applications of sand tray work through experiential learning, case examples, and reflective discussion. Emphasis will be placed on theoretical integration, symbolic meaning, cultural humility, and the therapist's role as a witness. Participants will practice adapting sand tray interventions across settings and developmental stages, and will receive guidance on translating expressive work into clinically relevant documentation. This workshop is designed to support clinicians in building confidence and competence in the use of sand tray as a therapeutic tool.

Learning Objectives: 

By the end of this two-day workshop, participants will be able to:

1. List at least three key historical figures and their contributions to the development of sand tray and Sand Play therapy.

2. Differentiate between at least three theoretical approaches to sand tray therapy (e.g., Jungian, person-centered, cognitive-behavioral), and describe how each influences clinical practice.

3. Demonstrate the ability to facilitate a sand tray session using both directive and non-directive methods with a practice partner.

4. Identify developmental variations in client expression within sand tray therapy, and match interventions to at least three different developmental stages (e.g., early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, adulthood).

5. Describe three strategies for maintaining cultural humility when interpreting symbols and themes in client-created sand trays.

6. Apply reflective witnessing skills during experiential sand tray exercises and provide developmentally sensitive, metaphor-informed prompts.

7. Develop a sample case note or treatment plan incorporating sand tray interventions using appropriate clinical language and format (e.g., SOAP or DAP).

8. Explain at least two ethical considerations and two clinical boundaries relevant to the use of sand tray therapy across diverse settings.

   
   

Cancellation and grievance policy: Registration is required. Please let us know if you are unable to attend. There is a participation cost; therefore, no refund will be issued if canceled within 7 days of the event. A $25 cancellation and refund fee applies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jamie Watson. There will be an evaluation to complete at the end of the workshop to obtain CEs.

Presenter Information

Dawn J Williamson, LCSW, RPT-S™: Dawn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ in private practice, specializing in developmentally informed practice across the lifespan. Dawn also teaches part-time at the Portland State University (PSU) School of Social Work (her alma mater).  Dawn provides workshops both locally within the US and internationally on a variety of topics, including play therapy.  Dawn holds postgraduate certificates in Therapy with Adoptive Families (PSU), Psychological Trauma: Effective Practice and Treatment (University of Washington), Counseling with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Western Oregon University), Animal Human Health (University of Denver), and is a LEGO Serious Play Certified Facilitator, Vancouver, BC. Dawn has been involved with the Oregon Association for Play Therapy (ORAPT) and the Board in some capacity throughout her career and is the recipient of the APT 2017 Award of Excellence (International Association for Play Therapy).

Jamie Watson, LMFT, RPT-S™: Jamie brings over a decade of experience working with neurodivergent children and families, including those navigating developmental differences and complex trauma. Jamie is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and is certified in Foster and Adoptive Family Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She also has training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and has long integrated play-based and attachment-centered interventions into her work. Teaching has been a meaningful part of Jamie's career since shortly after completing her graduate program. She has taught a variety of graduate-level courses, with favorites including Play Therapy, Child Development, and Practicum and Internship. In addition to her teaching and clinical work, Jamie has served as the Mental Health Therapy Director at a pediatric nonprofit and currently runs a consultation and supervision practice supporting pre-licensed and seasoned therapists nationwide. Jamie is also trained through Pet Partners as an animal handler and has incorporated Animal-Assisted Therapy into her clinical work for eight years, using her previous therapy dog, and is currently training her Goldendoodle to continue that tradition. She profoundly believes in the healing power of connection, whether through play, relationships, or the presence of a well-timed wagging tail.