FAQ

• Sandplay Therapy
  • What is Sand Play Therapy?

    A person's work with sand is by nature a transitory experience. Like building castles in the sand on the beach, creating a scene in the sand tray within the therapeutic art studio environment is a process of being willing to express oneself, create, and let it go.

  • What is the history of Sandplay?

    Sand rituals were used centuries ago and still are, to this day, in Tibet and by Native Americans for contemplation, meditation, healing, and toward harmony with nature and the universe as a whole.

    From The Transpersonal Sandplay Therapy Center:

    Sandplay, Sand Tray Therapy, and The World technique are all names given to a non-verbal therapeutic tool developed by Dr. Margaret Lowenfeld in London, England in the 1920’s. Today the term Sandplay is most widely used to denote this method of the use of sand and water in a tray in which toys or miniatures are placed.

    To find out more information follow this link

    http://www.sandplay.net/

  • How is Sandplay used therapeutically?

    The sand tray is a container within which both children and adults can create a scene with small objects. An expressive image can be created, a soothing and centering design, as well as a story and playful or dramatic activity.

    Each person’s experience is unique for a moment in time, and is reflective of one’s inner state. With the fluidity of the sand expression openness for change emerges.

    A dialogue about the scene takes place sometimes during the process of creating it or immediately after. At times, the activity itself is therapeutic and no further commentary is required.

• Transpersonal Psychology
  • What does the term Transpersonal mean?

    The transpersonal often refers to spiritual development, but it also indicates an orientation of the person’s higher Self, through unconditional acceptance and care, toward all that exist inclusive of and beyond the self.

    In that sense, the transpersonal is a participatory and cocreative way of being, not merely discovered and talked about, but intentionally enacted, cultivated, and lived.
    

  • What is Transperonal Psychology?

    From the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology:

    Transpersonal Psychology is the extension of psychological studies into consciousness studies, spiritual inquiry, body-mind relationships and transformation.

  • What is the origin of Transpersonal Psychology?

    Carl Jung first coined the term transpersonal (uberpersonlich) when he used the phrase "transpersonal unconscious" as a synonym for "collective unconscious."
    A key stimulus for the establishment of transpersonal psychology as a distinct field of inquiry was Abraham H. Maslow's research on self-actualizing persons.

    Maslow's work addressed not only psychological wounding and personal development, but the study of peak experiences, inspired creativity, altruistic ideals, and personal actions that transcend "ordinary" personality as well.

    
    For further reading please refer to the following link:
    http://www.itp.edu/about/tp.cfm

• Art Therapy
  • What is art therapy?

    From the website of the American Art Therapy Association:

    Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

  • What are the benefits of art therapy?

    Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy.

    Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; mental illness; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness.

    Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices. 

  • What training do art therapists have?

    Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Educational requirements include: theories of art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy; ethics and standards of practice; assessment and evaluation; individual, group, and family techniques; human and creative development; multicultural issues; research methods; and practicum experiences in clinical, community, and/or other settings.

    Art therapists are skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other media) for assessment and treatment.

  • What is the purpose of AATA?

    The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) sets educational, professional, and ethical standards for its members.

    AATA is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing. Its mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy.

  • What are the credentials for art therapist?

    From the website of the American Art Therapy Association:

    
    • Registration - The designation "ATR"(Art Therapist Registered) is granted by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) to art therapists who have successfully completed the required graduate educational training and post graduate professional experience, which includes supervision by an ATR credentialed art therapist.

    
    • Board Certification - The designation "BC"(Board Certified) is granted by the ATCB to ATR art therapists who have successfully passed the independently administered, national certification examination. Re-certification is provided every five years by documentation of continuing education, publication, presentation, exhibition, and other activities which demonstrate continuing professional competence.

    
    • Licensing -- As mental health care professionals, art therapists are required to meet specific licensing requirements of the state in which they practice. These may differ from state to state, but all art therapists are required to meet expected standards of care in place to protect the public from unsafe therapeutic practice.