Annual Conference
2025 Annual Conference
March 28th
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
Processing Sandtrays and Working with Trauma
Application for Play Therapists
Dr. Linda E. Homeyer, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S™
The 6-hour seminar will focus on developing depth in processing the client’s completed sandtray scene and using the sand tray to work with trauma.We will initially focus on in-depth processing of sandtrays. Sandtray therapy work, like play therapy, is grounded in the therapeutic powers of play. An overview will identify how these powers are foundational for understanding client work in the sand tray.We will then move on to eyes-on-trays, use of backdrops, add-ons, and figure-play. All of this is understood through the lens of clinical theory. The afternoon will incorporate trauma-focused considerations. A three-phase construct will be used to frame the work, but the purpose is to introduce ways for sand therapy work to be integrated with the trauma work which is currently occurring. Also, how the play therapist might apply the use of sandtray therapy to enrich their work with trauma narratives.
Learning Objectives
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Participants will identify therapeutic powers of play in the sand tray.
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Participants will practice processing sand trays from clinical theory in mind.
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Participants will list the components of processing which can facilitate a deeper dialogue during the processing phase.
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Participants will identify how the tray assists in ‘containing’ the client’s work, especially in trauma work.
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Participant's will list the three general phases of a framework for trauma work.
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Participants will describe Figure-Play and how to use it within specific clinical theory.
Credit Hours
6 Contact APT Credit Hours
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This event is sponsored by New Jersey Association for Play Therapy. New Jersey Association for Play Therapy is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Approved Provider No. 05-159).
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6 NBCC Credit Hours
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Rider University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4315. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.
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6 NASW Clinical Credit Hours
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Continuing education credits are provided by the Monmouth University School of Social work in accordance with New Jersey Administrative code 13:44G and are recognized by the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners.
Presenter Biography
Dr. Homeyer semi-retired after over 30 years of work as a play therapist, sandtray therapist, and university professor. She continues to write, provide professional consultations and trainings, and plays in the clay in Canyon Lake, Texas. In addition to key notes and conference presentations in the United States, Linda continues to enjoy traveling the globe and teaching play therapy, sandtray therapy, and clinical supervision. She has worked in Slovakia, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan,South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Taiwan, Denmark,China, Italy, and even on a cruise ship! Her co-authored books include her recent ones of The Guide to Play Therapy Documentation and Parent Consultations (with Mary Bennett); Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual (4th ed.)(with Daniel Sweeney); Advanced Sandtray Therapy: Digging Deeper into Clinical Practice (with Marshall Lyles);and others; also, numerous book chapters and journal articles. Her work is translated into Turkish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Spanish.
She currently represents APT as their representative on the Board of Directors of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA). She is also the Editor of the World Journal for Sand Therapy Practice®.
Linda is a Distinguished Professor Emerita of Professional Counseling at Texas State University. The Association for Play Therapy named Linda as a Director Emerita and awarded her their Lifetime Achievement Award.