Sandlådeekniken – A Therapy To Obtain Information

Most often we already have an idea of ​​what causes us pain when we go to the psychologist. Other times, however, we have trouble identifying what is bothering us, and the  psychologist must use different techniques to find the problem. Among these we find the sandbox technology.

The sandbox technique is a method often used by child psychologists, as children often have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Dora M. Kalfflos created the sandbox technique – initially called sand play – and based her technique on the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung and the child psychiatrist Margarita Lowenfeld. This technology is mainly used to access information that the patient may not be aware of.

In order for psychologists to have access to content in our brains that we are not aware of, she fills a blue wooden or plastic box with sand. The patient places different figures in the box. These figures represent elements or characters, fictional or real. The patient can place them as he wishes.

Some of these figures represent people, animals, plants, buildings, means of transport, signs, stones, wood, sci-fi objects and film characters.

During this process  , the therapist should limit his words and avoid giving help. After the patient has finished placing the objects, the therapist should take a picture of the scene and analyze it later, outside the meeting.

The results of this process differ,  and there are many ways to interpret a single scene. For example, if we see lonely characters in the box, this can gossip that the patient is alone or feels abandoned. If the patient, on the other hand, creates a violent scene, it may indicate that he feels desolate.

Despite the fact that therapists generally use the sandbox technique in child psychology, it can be used at any age. It is very useful when the patient has difficulty talking about their feelings. 

This technique is perfect for patients who have suffered some form of trauma, such as mental or physical abuse. Sandbox therapy is also useful for people who have dealt with extreme grief or emotional as well as behavioral disorders.

Children are in the middle of developing their emotions. Their emotions are complex and they often do not know how to express them fully. This is why therapists often use the sandbox technique in schools. Psychologists also use it to evaluate conditions related to language, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, bullying and family problems.

The idea of ​​the sandbox gets a part of our young lives and the mental development that took place there to come back: the game. This creative sandbox game explores the patient’s archetypal pattern. The actions required by play require visualization and personal choice, which activates our inner psychology.

The therapist takes photos of the sandbox after the patient has completed the placement of objects. Then the therapist analyzes the photos to find different patterns in the patient’s subconscious. This is an interesting technique as it moves away from the linguistic plane.

On many occasions, the patient, and especially children, cannot verbalize the trauma they have experienced. But with this technology, one thinks one can see what is going on in the mind, even though the patient cannot talk about his experiences.

This type of technology is extremely useful. It creates an environment free from stress so that the patient feels comfortable. In the same way, the creative play helps one to release tension and makes the therapy a respectful situation. It will be a place characterized by freedom where the patient can express himself.