The Sandbox Technique Is Used Especially For Children

Most often we go to the psychologist with an idea already in our head about what causes us so much pain. Other times we have trouble identifying what is bothering us, and the psychologist must use different techniques to filter out and find the problem. Among these techniques is the sandbox technique.

The sandbox technique is a method that is often used in child psychology, since children often have problems expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Dora M. Kalfflos created the sandbox technique, originally called sand play, and based her technique on analytical psychology from Carl Gustav Jung and words from the child psychiatrist Margarita Lowenfeld. This technique is mainly used to access information that a patient may not be aware of.

What is the sandbox technique?

In order for psychologists to have access to content in our brains, which we are not aware of, the psychologist fills a blue plastic box with sand. The patient places different figures in the box. These figures represent elements or signs, real or counterfeit, which the patient must place as they wish.

Some of these characters include humans, animals, plants, buildings, means of transportation, signs or natural separations such as rocks and wood, sci-fi elements and film characters.

During this process , the therapist should limit his words and avoid giving help. After the patient has finished placing his things, the therapist must take a picture of the scene and analyze it later, outside the current session.

The results from this process are varied, and there are many interpretations that can come into play of a sandbox session. For example, if we find a single figure in the box, this can tell us that the patient is lonely or feeling abandoned. On the other hand, if the patient constructs a violent scene, it may indicate that the patient feels inconsolable.

Which patients should receive sandbox treatment?

Despite the fact that therapists generally use sandbox therapy in child psychology, the sandbox technique can be used for all ages. It is very useful when a patient has trouble talking about their feelings. This technique is perfect for patients who have had some form of trauma, such as mental or physical abuse. Sandbox therapy is also helpful for people who have undergone extreme grief or have emotional or behavioral disorders.

Children are in the middle of developing their emotions. Their emotions are complex, and often they do not know how to fully explain them. Therefore, therapists often use the sandbox treatment in schools. Psychologists also use this to assess disorders related to language, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, bullying or family problems.

How useful is the sandbox technique?

The idea of ​​the sandbox is that it brings back a part of our young lives and the mental development that happened during that time: a game. This creative sandbox game examines the patient’s archetypal patterns. All actions required by play require visualization and personal choice, which activates our inner psychology.

The therapist takes pictures of the sandbox after the patient has completed the placement of the elements. The therapist then analyzes the photograph to find different mental patterns in the patient’s subconscious. This is an interesting technique because it moves away from the speech plane. In many cases, the patient, especially children, can not verbalize the trauma they experienced. Therefore, even if the patient is not able to talk about his experiences, the psychologist can still see what is happening in the person’s mind.

This type of technique is extremely useful. It creates an environment without stress so that the patient feels comfortable. In the same way, the creative play helps to release tension and make therapy a place of respect. It becomes a place of freedom where the patient can express himself.