Generally, and in terms of human development, adults have better abilities and skills to express themselves verbally than children. They may seek counseling to process or resolve complex feelings; ultimately seeking a solution to their pain. On the contrary, children may not understand their overwhelming feelings and play therapy can assist them in expressing their thoughts and feelings about their life and those around them through their natural language; play. An example of a play therapy intervention is the traditional use of a sandtray.
This paper will review a child’s participation in a sandtray activity. The sandtray process will be reviewed, including treatment and recommendations for the participant. Participant Demographics The participant’s name is Connery. He is a 7-year-old male. He is a Caucasian and his primary language is English. Connery and his family practice the Christian faith. Connery was referred to play therapy as he has recently had an increase in “behavior problems” in the home setting. Per the participant’s mother, Connery has progressively shown to become angry and defiant towards her.
Connery’s mother indicated that she and her son’s father were separated on and off for most of the 2015 calendar year in 2015. The participant’s mother shared that she reunited with father in September 2015 and they remained together until December 2015. However, in January 2016 she decided to file for divorce, ultimately deciding to obtain a 5-year restraining order against Connery’s father. Mother reported that she works in sales. She added that she was formally a stay at home mom until she filed for divorce last year. She has been employed full time at her place of employment since spring 2016.
Mother noted that Connery does not have any medical problems, nor takes any medications. She did not report any abnormalities during his infancy, yet she did share that he may have a possible speech delay. Mother indicated that Connery is on target academically, and there are no significant behavioral concerns in the school setting. Mother reported that father is an alcoholic and has a “violent temper. ” Sandtray process During the “setting the scene” video, Connery was informed that he would be participating in the sandtray activity. He was advised that the activity would entail “making a world in the sand.
He was prompted to use any of the available figures on the table such as characters, animals, and decorative items. Lastly, he was directed to organize the sandtray to his liking and upon completion, he and the play therapist would proceed to tell a story about his creation. Upon receiving instructions and without hesitation, Connery immediately began to place items on the sandtray. He appeared to be concentrated and quickly walked around the table scanning the items to add to his sandtray world. On a few rare occasions, he briefly smiled as he placed an item on the tray or as he searched for an item on the table.
Placing items on the tray without reluctance was a theme throughout as he quickly selected a few from the table, quickly walked back to the tray, and placed them on the sand. Connery did not engage in any verbal engagement as he completed the activity; at times making only brief eye contact with the play therapist. Following the activity, the play therapist prompted Connery to share the significance of a few figures he selected. Connery indicated that the wizard was trying to get away from the cops; that he was a bad person. When he was asked to explain why he was bad, he added that the wizard, “zapped a human into a ladybug.
Connery also shared the significance of a few other items in the tray such as the three umbrellas used for decoration, however he then pushed the umbrellas down onto prince Eric, which consequently then fell on the ladybug. Connery was also encouraged to share a story about his sandtray world. He explained again that the police were attempting to kill the wizard, that a man was looking at a phone; mentioning the police an additional three times during his explanation. He stated that his world was called: “The Mario World. ” Sandtray Content and Clinical impressions
Connery’s finalized sandtray creation had a total of 24 items. Initially, he had a pattern of choosing characters, such as a moon man, prince Eric, and a priest. He then had a theme of placing police related items such as four police signs, two police figures, and a police boat. Finally, the last five items he used were decorative, these included a palm tree, a bush, and three rocks. It appeared that most items were somehow interacting with one another. For example, Mario was talking to the moon man, prince Erik was near the ladybug, and the two police officers were in close proximity to the wizard.
Per Davis (2011), some of the items that Connery selected may have had a symbolic meaning. He may have selected these items consciously to express his thoughts or feelings. Alternatively, he could have also chosen the items unconsciously; not being aware that there is a connection between the items and his internal feelings and emotions. Remarkably, several of the items that he chose for the activity have a theme in seeking safety; wanting balance and security, as well as indicating aggression. For example, Connery selected a boat, which Davis (2011) indicates that he may expressing a need for stability.
Boats is an illustration of how a participant may chose an item unconsciously. As Connery has likely experienced secondary family discord in the recent year, he may be desiring family security. The surfboard he chose maybe symbolic for having fun and freedom; emotions that he may also be longing due to the instability of his family’s relationship. Davis (2011) also indicated that soldiers represent conflict, aggression and force, or a sense of struggling. Similarly, Connery selected two policemen and indicated that they wanted to “kill” the wizard.
Another symbol that fits in the same category of aggression are guns. Although the guns were not obtained independently from the table, Connery selected police officers with guns. Guns can also portray wanting control, pain, and hostility. In addition to the items that represented safety described earlier, Connery may have also expressed his need of security through the use of guns; as guns are also a symbol of protection and boundaries, (Davis, 2011). According to Davis (2011), Connery can have a legitimate internal need to protect himself and enforce strict boundaries with others.
Sandtray activities can encourage children to verbalize when they are introverted and tense, (Homeyer and Sweeney, 2011). Although based on the information observed through the videos provided, it is not possible to determine if he introverted or tense. Yet, Connery did not verbally engage during the creation of his sandtray, quickly responded when prompted, and denied to share anything further when the play therapist encouraged feedback. Per Homeyer and Sweeney (2011), Connery’s world was likely aggressive due to the conflict between the wizard and the policeman; internalizing anger through war and violence.
Additionally, Homeyer and Sweeney, (2011) indicated that some sandtray participants may internalize aggression, instead of externalizing as they are afraid of acting out in their personal environment due to domestic violence. In Connery’s case, he may have experienced his father’s “violent temper” which may have reinforced his internalization of his aggression. Treatment Recommendations Based on the participant’s observation and information provided by his mother, it is recommended that Connery and his mother participate in Child and Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT).
CPRT is an evidence-based parent-training intervention which provides parent education in a group setting. This is a 10-week filial therapy model in which Connery’s mother will be able to obtain simple parenting techniques, practice outside of group session, and obtain feedback from peers and group facilitators; to assure she is implementing all model objectives, (E. Sorensen, personal communication, March 20, 2017). This model is recommended as Connery likely needs to be feel secure and feel heard by his mother.
The instability due to his parents’ divorce may have led him to externalize in the home setting. The goal of treatment is for Connery’s mother to reduce Connery’s externalization of his “behavior problems. ” Mother will practice setting limits, provide Connery with opportunities for esteem building, and allow him to lead role plays. Overall, the CPRT model will teach mother to be “fully present” with her son, focus on a few behaviors at a time, and attending to validating his feelings; overall encouraging their parent-child bond.
Play therapy not only can help a therapist enter a child’s world, it can also provide a parent an opportunity to strengthen his or her relationship with their child. Often times, it is difficult for a child to verbalize feelings, thoughts, or understand their behavior, especially if he or she was exposed to trauma. Using the sandtray activity, children can begin to open about their fears and overwhelming feelings. With the help of the CPRT model, Connery’s mother will be a key player in reducing his externalization and motivate him to use her as a support; fortifying their overall relationship.