Sand, Symbols, and Metaphors in Play Therapy
| Course code: | 27-SS-157 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | August 21-22, 2026 Alternate Course Dates |
| Meets: | F and Sa from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, 2 sessions |
| Hours: | 16.00 |
| Location: | ChildSavers |
| Instructor: | Instructor Information |
| Fee: | $349.00 |
Description
This introductory play therapy workshop examines the therapeutic use of sand, symbols, and metaphor within play therapy practice. Participants will explore the historical foundations of sand tray therapy and its integration within play therapy approaches, with particular attention to Adlerian Play Therapy concepts, developmental theory, symbolic communication, and case conceptualization.
Through live instruction, experiential activities, case-based learning, role play, and group discussion, participants will examine the use of miniatures and symbolic expression across developmental stages and presenting concerns. Participants will explore how projection, aesthetic distance, symbolic language, and developmental themes emerge through sandtray play therapy experiences with children and adolescents.
This workshop will introduce participants to developmentally responsive sandtray play therapy interventions for children ages 4–7, 8–11, and adolescents. Participants will identify culturally relevant and contextually appropriate symbolic representations, practice introductory sandtray facilitation skills, and examine ethical and cultural considerations related to symbolic interpretation within play therapy practice.
Experiential modules will support increased awareness of stress, trauma, helper symbolism, and countertransference considerations relevant to clinical work with children, adolescents, and families.
Prerequisite: Participants should possess foundational knowledge of child development or helping-profession practice. Prior exposure to play therapy concepts may be beneficial but is not required.
Who Should Enroll
This training is ideal for mental health professionals, school-based mental health providers, and graduate students whose work includes children, adolescents, and families.
- Including counselors, social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, school counselors, school social workers, registered play therapists, and other helping professionals interested in introductory sandtray applications within play therapy practice.
This workshop is designed to help participants:
- Describe the historical foundations of sand tray therapy and its relationship to play therapy practice.
- Identify foundational Adlerian Play Therapy concepts applicable to sandtray interventions, including phases of treatment, Crucial Cs, goals of behavior, and family atmosphere.
- Explain how developmental theories influence symbolic expression and sandtray play among children ages 4–7, 8–11, and adolescents.
- Recognize the therapeutic role of projection, metaphor, symbols, and aesthetic distance within sandtray play therapy interventions.
- Categorize sandtray miniatures and symbolic representations relevant to developmental, cultural, familial, and trauma-informed play therapy practice.
- Demonstrate introductory sandtray play therapy facilitation skills through structured experiential activities and role play exercises.
- Apply Adlerian and developmental play therapy concepts to introductory sandtray case conceptualization and treatment planning.
- Identify ethical, cultural, and contextual considerations related to symbolic interpretation and miniature selection in play therapy practice.
- Recognize stress responses, trauma-related themes, and countertransference reactions that may emerge during sandtray play therapy interventions.
- Integrate introductory sandtray interventions into developmentally responsive play therapy treatment planning.
Notes
Instructor(s)
Robert Nickles, LCSW, RPT-S
Zachary Gibson, MA, LPC-S
APT Continuing Education Information
VCU Continuing and Professional Education is approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 15-397.
This program offers 16 APT contact continuing education hours. Instructional time does not include breaks, meals, or other non-instructional activities.
Effective April 1, 2025, APT requires a minimum of 75 contact (in-person) training hours toward the 150 total play therapy training hours required for credentialing. Up to 75 hours may be earned through non-contact formats (e.g., live webinars). For complete credentialing standards and definitions, please visit https://www.a4pt.org.
Training Format
This program is delivered in person and is typically held at ChildSavers in Richmond, Virginia, unless otherwise noted on the registration page.
A one-hour lunch break is scheduled each day. Breaks and meals are not included in the calculation of APT contact continuing education hours. Participants are responsible for providing their own lunch.
Attendance, Assessments, and Awarding of CE Hours
Participants must attend the entire program and meet attendance requirements to be eligible for APT contact continuing education hours.
To receive 16 APT contact continuing education hours, participants must:
1. Attend the full program
2. Successfully complete both required assessments
APT contact continuing education hours are awarded only after full attendance and successful completion of both assessments. Partial credit will not be awarded.
Required Assessments
VCU conducts a two-part assessment for each workshop.
Assessment 1: Activity Assessment (Scored Rubric)
Completed during the workshop through participation in small- and large-group activities and discussion.
Assessment 2: Online Multiple-Choice Test
A post-training multiple-choice test completed online. Participants who meet full attendance and participation requirements will receive access to the post-training online assessment.
APT continuing education hours are awarded only after successful completion of both required assessments. A passing score of 80% or higher on the online assessment is required to receive APT continuing education hours. Both assessments must be successfully completed within 30 days of the workshop date.
Creative Materials
ChildSavers staff will provide all creative materials required for experiential activities during this workshop.
Health & Attendance
To maintain a healthy learning environment, participants who are ill (e.g., fever or new/worsening respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms) should not attend in-person training.
If you become ill prior to the workshop, please notify the CPE Program Manager as soon as possible to discuss transfer options. Requests made after the workshop has begun will not be accommodated.
Program Format Changes
If circumstances require the training to transition from in-person delivery to a live synchronous online format (live webinar), participants will be notified at least 48 hours prior to the start date.
In the event of a format change, the program will be delivered as non-contact (live webinar) training, and participants who successfully complete the program will receive 16 APT non-contact continuing education hours (Live Webinar).
All attendance and assessment requirements remain in effect.
Questions?
For questions regarding the workshop, please contact:
Shelly Schuetz, Program Manager & School Liaison, ssschuetz@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322.
Cancellation and Refund Policies:
You may cancel your registration up until two weeks before the workshop start date, and receive a full refund minus a $35 credit card processing fee. After that date, no refunds will be given. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu
In the unlikely event that this workshop is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.
Transfer Policy:
Workshop registrations may be transferred to a different workshop or person if requested in writing via email at ocpe@vcu.edu by the cancellation deadline. The participant must meet all prerequisites or qualifications required by the program.
Student/Participant Conduct:
Participants are subject to all university policies applicable to students, unless a specific university or VCU Continuing and Professional Education policy explicitly states otherwise. University policies governing students are available at https://vcu.public.doctract.com including:
Interim Student Code of Conduct
Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy-Interim
Sex-Based Misconduct Policy-Interim
For Academic Accommodations, please visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/courses/policies.html#accommodations
There are still openings remaining at this time.
