M.Ed. / This study looked at the experiences of School Counsellors while using sand tray techniques to assist learners with emotional and behavioural problems. A phenomenological design with a social constructivist perspective was used to conduct this study. A qualitative approach was used and aimed to look at 12 school counsellors (the study participants) experiences when using sand tray techniques with 37 primary school learners between the ages of 6 and 14 years, who have emotional and behavioural problems in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. The data was collected by means of individual interviews, a focus group interview and observations. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase the school counsellors experience was collected, recorded and analysed. In the second phase the data from phase one was used to design a manual for school counsellors using sand tray techniques to assist learners who have emotional and behavioural problems. Content analysis was used in order to collect data which was sorted into codes, categories and themes, which developed a description of the experience of school counsellors. The themes that emerged were the school counsellors' personal experience, the school counsellors' experience with the learners, the sand and sand trays, sand tray symbols, administrative aspects, and diversity of learners' problems, therapeutic approaches, symbols, cultural orientations, socio economic status, language barriers and the stages of the sand tray process. The finding indicated that future school counsellors would benefit from a manual to assist them when using sand tray techniques with learners who have emotional and behavioural problems. As such a manual was designed based on the findings of the study

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Goal: The aim of this study is to use the Gestalt approach to explore, and to make use of sandplay to describe and observe the world of the adolescent client, in order to lead the social worker to gain insight and understanding to the world of the adolescent. This study was done because the researcher observed that sandplay achieved very positive effects with children, adolescents and adults. This study was motivated by the desire to provide recommendations to the social workers in practice about the value and use of sandplay in the exploration of the world of the adolescent The literature study focussed on a) the adolescent life-phase in order to determine the specific developmental aspects and characteristics of the adolescent, b) to define the possibilities of sandplay as an exploration medium, as well as c) assessing the Gestalt approach as orientation theory and as practice theory with sandplay. In this research, a qualitative methodology was used combined with a case-study research design. Sandplay was used as a medium for exploration with three adolescent participants. They were selected by means of a non-probability sampling. The researcher used detailed, in-depth, data gathering methods which included six measuring instruments. These instruments included: a standardised questionnaire to give an indication of personality-traits of the participants; two questionnaires to determine the behaviour, thought patterns and domestic circumstances of the participants; semi-structured interview-schedules to explore the sandtrays of the participants; photographs to accurately capture and record the sandtrays; as well as observations recording the behaviour and non-verbal communication of the participants. The researcher concludes that, according to the Gestalt-approach, exploration with sandplay is an effective method to explore the world of the adolescent. This method provides adequate information to the social worker to understand the world of the adolescent client. Sandplay, according to the Gestalt approach, contributes value to social work practice, because it enhances the effectiveness of exploration and intervention. Sandplay provides the social worker with comprehensive information about the adolescent, and enables the social worker to identify the core problem of the adolescent expeditiously. Sandplay involves the adolescent in a sensory, cognitive and emotional manner, which contributes to more information being exposed that leads to more effective interventions. This method is also novel, interesting and challenging to the social worker and the adolescent. The researcher recommends sandplay for the exploration of the world of the adolescent be preceded by establishing a therapeutic relationship with the adolescent. Once a relationship is established a number of sandtrays can be built, and thoroughly explored. The first sandtray should be non-directive. Directive sandtrays are subsequently recommended to explore specific themes and to handle trauma and/or issues which the adolescent may experience. It is also recommended that the social worker utilizes hypotheses, which can be postulated from the symbolic meanings of miniatures, as well as interpretations from other sandplay research in his/her exploration of sandtrays. The social worker, who uses sandplay to explore the world of the adolescent according to the Gestalt approach, should be knowledgeable about sandplay, the symbolic meaning of miniatures, sandplay research and the Gestalt approach as orientation theory and practice theory. This study was done with three Afrikaans-speaking adolescent foster children, and the findings may not apply to other populations. Additional research needs to be done with a wider sample of adolescents, that covers different cultures, language and domestic backgrounds.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The main focus of this study is an exploration of the sandplay process of a thirteen-year old girl as it unfolded during the creation of twelve sand worlds. The girl is from a historically disadvantaged background and was experiencing emotional and learning difficulties. Sandplay therapy involves letting the client play with sand, water and a variety of realistic miniature figures to build an image in a tray of a specific size while the therapist witness this process. The interaction with the sand, water and miniatures allow the client to access unconscious issues and give them concrete form through the images portrayed in the tray. By creating a series of sand worlds the client can confront and contain their conflicts and touch a transpersonal aspect called the Self. Self-trays are characterized by signs of centering and have a spiritual quality. The case study is single-subject qualitative research design and data was produced from assessments, interviews, observation, video and audio recordings, a school report and photographs. The assessments and interviews were mainly used to conceptualize the case and to inform treatment. It appears as if the girl has a learning difficulty that seemed to have been the source of her feelings of anger, frustration and rejection. She also appears to be functioning at a concrete operational level. An interpretation of the photographs indicated a progressive movement from an unstructured first sandworld to a structured, organized last one. Signs of centering could be observed in the last three trays.

This qualitative case study investigated the impact of sand tray on individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Four participants successfully completed the creation of sand trays while the researcher observed, interviewed, and documented the individual sand trays. The intervention established that sand tray allows the dementia patient to kinesthetically connect to their inner cognitions through the intentional symbolic expression offered by this unique therapeutic medium. Using a series of eight sand trays of varying thematic concepts, the participants were offered a modality to facilitate a synthesization of their continued individuation, presenting a possible neural pathway to connect and express thoughts, feelings, emotions, concerns, challenges, and fears. The findings of this study include the fact that all trays were classified as “empty” and that the majority of the participants placed objects almost exclusively on the right side of the tray, which is commonly associated with the concreteor conscious side. The use of sand tray allowed each individual the opportunity to create autobiographies in the sand and literally navigate through time – past, present, and future, confronting fears, expressing hope and possibilities. The results of the research study offer insight into the psychotherapeutic effects of using sand tray with dementia patients, as well as a better understanding of the cognitive and expressive abilities and limitations of an individual with impaired memory. The results also offer insight into the difficulties with short-term memory in this population and possibly indicate a potential means for monitoring cognitive decline. Keywords: Neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s, dementia, sand tray, play therapy / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.