How to Use Sand Tray in Family Play Therapy Sessions?

Incorporating sand tray activities into family play therapy can be deeply powerful—and also incredibly chaotic if not handled with intention. If you’ve ever thought, “That didn’t go quite how I imagined,” after trying to bring sand tray into a family session, you’re not alone.

In this episode of Next Level Play Therapy, Cathi Spooner walks us through how to effectively and intentionally use sand tray in family play therapy. With a strong foundation in neuroscience, attachment theory, and family systems, Cathi offers three essential tips to help you structure your sessions for greater impact.

Tip 1: Start With Your Theoretical Framework

Before introducing the sand tray, consider the play therapy model you're using. Whether it’s Adlerian, Gestalt, Theraplay, Filial Therapy, or Cathi’s own Attachment-Focused Family Play Therapy (AFFPT) model, your theory should guide:

Who’s in the room
How you interpret behaviors and interactions
What you expect to happen during the session

Without a guiding framework, sessions can feel disorganized, awkward, or confusing for both therapists and parents. When theory guides your decisions, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the child’s internal world and family dynamics as they emerge in the sand tray.

Tip 2: Know the Purpose of the Session

That innocent little request—"Can my mom come in today?"—can feel harmless. But instead of automatically saying yes, pause and ask: What’s the goal of today’s session? What do I need to see, shift, or support?

Using a sand tray in a family session should be purposeful. Are you:

Observing family dynamics in real time?
Facilitating repair work between parent and child?
Encouraging expression of feelings through symbolic play?

Pair this with your theoretical model and the therapeutic powers of play you’re aiming to activate—such as attachment, direct teaching, or creative problem-solving—and you’ll avoid the common trap of sessions becoming reactive or chaotic.

Tip 3: Structure the Session and Set Expectations

Family sand tray sessions require structure, boundaries, and preparation—especially when emotions run high. Cathi recommends:

Setting clear rules upfront: such as “The sand stays in the tray” and “Don’t touch someone else’s miniatures unless they give permission.”
Prepping parents ahead of time: Have a separate session to discuss their role, including how they’ll respond to behavior in the session.
Giving children and parents clear roles: so everyone understands the goal of the activity and their place within it.

If sensory issues are present (e.g., tactile defensiveness), you may need to adjust your approach or use another medium altogether.

Why It Matters

When used intentionally, sand tray in family play therapy offers a rich, layered way to explore relationships, repair ruptures, and deepen emotional understanding. With the right structure, it becomes more than just another activity—it becomes a healing space where parents and children co-create meaning, connection, and growth.

So What Now?

If you’re looking to dive deeper into this work, Cathi offers several training opportunities:

Using Sand Tray in Play Therapy Through a Neuroscience and Attachment Lens – A hands-on, experiential workshop for deepening your skills and understanding.
Play Therapy Academy – A VIP mentorship experience with ongoing support, case consultation, and training.

Categories: : Community, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Academy, Play Therapy Elevation Circle, Play Therapy Model, Role of parents, Sand Tray Therapy