Play & Sand Tray Therapy


What do Play and Sand Tray Therapy help with?

Child sitting on a bed playing with wooden toys, including coins and containers.

Play Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy are creative, non-verbal forms of therapy that allow children (and sometimes teens and adults) to express thoughts, emotions, and experiences through play and symbolism — especially when words are hard to find.

  • Play Therapy uses toys, games, drawing, and storytelling as tools for emotional expression and healing.

  • Sand Tray Therapy involves creating scenes in a tray of sand using miniature figures, symbols, and objects, allowing a person to externalize their inner world in a safe, symbolic way.

These approaches are especially helpful for processing trauma, grief, or complex emotions in a gentle and developmentally appropriate way.

  • Provides age-appropriate therapy for younger clients

  • Allows for the creative expression of self

  • Allows for the engagement of distressing past experiences in a way that feels safe and appropriately removed

  • Encourages the expression of one’s inner child

  • Powerfully communicates distressing past experiences that are otherwise “hard to describe”

trauma,

life changes,

attachment issues,

stress & anxiety,

abuse,

emotional overwhelm,

trauma, life changes, attachment issues, stress & anxiety, abuse, emotional overwhelm,

  • “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”

    -Naeem Callaway

Brick building with fire escape and a large mural reading 'HOW ARE YOU, REALLY?' on the side wall.

What you can expect at Selah

We know that every person carries unique experiences and circumstances with them to therapy.

We believe your counselling experience should integrate a process that seeks to bring you hope and change through the following steps:

  1. You will pick whether you want to attend in-person, virtual or hybrid. 

  2. You will get started with your initial session. Relationship building is the most crucial stage during this appointment, as trust and connection are vital in the therapeutic process. It takes “on average”, two or more sessions before you can determine your fit with the therapist. We always say, “Don’t give up on counselling, but connect with a new counsellor if not a good fit.” Don’t hesitate to contact our Intake Coordinator at 519-281-1845 or intake@selahsupport.ca if not a good fit. 80% of your change in therapy is about the relationship with your therapist. 

  3. During your initial sessions, you will share your current circumstances and areas you would like to see changed, and then we will go from there. We want to get to know you.  

  4. Once you and your therapist feel you are comfortable and present concerns and desires are shared, you will begin to work through various activities, skills, and treatment methods We aim to work with you in partnership, helping you gain insight and new skills that create an environment for change. 

Let’s work together.