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Professional Education

Short Trainings 

Introduction to Sand Therapy:

Theory, Ethics, Practice for Creative Clinicians and Play Therapists

This two-part virtual introductory training will be held from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (EST) on the two consecutive Wednesdays of Feb 16th and 23rd. The training is designed for clinicians who are relatively new to the use of symbols and sand and will demonstrate basic clinical skills and address topics such as: 

how to introduce sand to clients

how to engage through active imagination

the difference between amplification and interpretation

boundaries and cultural sensitivity

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A Telehealth Exploration With Symbols In Sand

"Sisyphus' Garden"

This 1-hour video course includes: a brief lecture on narrative, existential and archetypal theories; a demonstration of virtual sand therapy; and a closing summary of core concepts

Purchase Now: $35

Narrative Sand Therapy©

Part I: The Raven's Freedom

This 2.5-hour video is an introduction to Narrative Sand Therapy©, Dr. Dee Preston-Dillon's personal integrative approach to sand therapy. This course includes: a complete demonstration of an individual narrative sand therapy process, a series of inquiries and discussions about process, theory and approach; a brief PowerPoint presentation on core concepts; and an example of poetic amplification

Purchase Now: $60

Narrative Sand Therapy©

Part II: Fairy Tales

This two-part training includes an introduction to the etymology of fairy tales and the theoretical foundations for conducting deep therapeutic work through this modality. The training also includes a complete practical example of the therapeutic process demonstrating three different approaches with detailed explanations to help bridge theory with intervention.

Purchase Now: $60

Sand Therapy Courses  &  Certificate Program

Competencies in Sand Therapy: Foundations for Safe and Ethical Clinical Practice

“The core principles for all competencies include a clear vision of expertise, well-defined skills and aptitudes, awareness of problems and ways to correct them, and established steps for learning.”

This course presents specific aptitudes for proficiency with Sand Therapy. Each of the three levels builds on the former to address essential principles such as: 

  • How to conceptualize a sand scene

  • Theory as a lens to understand dynamics potentially present in sand scenes 

  • Mental representations vital to resonate with the process

  • How to respond to clients

  • Potential problems and risks 

  • And, the importance of clinician immersion in their own work



Already purchased course? Access it HERE


Advanced Clinical Sand Therapy Certificate Program

This certificate program prepares clinicians to more fully understand, witness, and respond to clients and their sand scenes. Our goal is effective implementation of an empowering process. To maintain integrity of the training an emphasis is on participant engagement, parallel experiential activity to parallel some aspect of the experience of immersion. Each course and case consultation will feature facets of clinical use of symbols, metaphors, individualized guidance, feedback and support for competent use of Sand Therapy.



Level 1 Certificate Program

Narrative Sand Therapy©

Developed from Dr. Dee's own personal research, Narrative Sand Therapy© is a uniquely powerful and effective treatment modality for clients of all ages and with a wide range of emotional and psychological symptoms. From anxiety and depression to complex trauma and identity issues, this approach integrates the power of Jungian depth psychology and a variety of other dynamic theoretical approaches with modern neuroscience and a clear appreciation of how social, cultural and political forces influence our beliefs and perceptions, resulting in a truly exceptional treatment approach. Narrative process with symbols in sand rests on metaphor, is patiently paced, never judged, always tentatively explored. The competent clinician is self-aware, remains alert and protective, and is mindful of subtle ways alienation seeps into therapy.

Narrative Sand Therapy© is designed to empower the client to discover and/or reclaim their authentic self.


Intro to Narrative Sand Therapy 

Part II: Fairy Tales