Pluralistic Sand-Tray Therapy: Humanistic Principles for Working Creatively with Adult Clients

179 Pages·2022·17.139 MB·English

by  Doreen Fleet

“Creativity in counselling and psychotherapy has been a long- standing
tradition and the use of sand tray work to facilitate insight and growth has
been established with children and young people, as well as with adults, for
many years. Likewise, the development over the last decade of pluralism in
therapy has further facilitated creativity in theory, research and practice. Fleet’s
superb text sees a perfect synchronicity of these ideas, captured together in a
way that supports innovation in practice for diverse populations. An essential
text for those seeking to further develop their work within a pluralistic frame.”
Professor Andrew Reeves, Professor in Counselling Professions and
Mental Health, University of Chester and BACP Senior
Accredited Counsellor/ Psychotherapist
“Pluralistic Sand- Tray Therapy provides a contemporary, research- informed
introduction to the use of sand-t ray therapy with a wide range of client
groups. A wide range of practical therapeutic techniques and strategies are
explained using vividly- described case examples, in the context of a flexible,
collaborative approach to practice that draws on a diversity of theoretical
perspectives. This book is a highly recommended resource for all counsellor,
psychotherapist or mental health practitioners who are interested in
developing a more comprehensive appreciation of how to incorporate sand-
tray methods into their work with clients.”
Julia McLeod, Lecturer in Counselling, Abertay University
“This book provides creative inspiration and practical guidance, as Fleet
invites us to explore the sensory and therapeutic strengths of pluralistic sand-
tray therapy with adult clients. The approach is considered through theory,
client process and applications to practice with illustrative case studies. Fleet
spotlights the sand tray as a ‘metaphorical experiential theatre’, offering
sensitive and discerning direction for therapists from a range of theoretical
orientations, to develop practice in pluralistic sand-t ray therapy with a range
of client groups and experiences.”
Susan Fleming, Practitioner, Senior Lecturer and Course Director
in Counselling and CBT (MBACP, BABCP Accred.)

Pluralistic Sand- Tray Therapy
In this book, Fleet provides the first comprehensive guide to implementing
sand- tray therapy within a pluralistic framework.
Pluralistic Sand- Tray Therapy offers several unique contributions to a the-
oretical understanding of the therapeutic process, including the dynamic phe-
nomenological field incorporating the concept of phenomenological shift
and the introduction to two sand-t ray specific mechanisms that aid the thera-
peutic process by facilitating the client’s discovery in a unique way. Theory
is applied to practice with step-b y- step detailed guidance on how to deliver
effective pluralistic sand- tray therapy from the initial appointment to the end
of therapy. Each theoretical concept and practical direction is supported by
case study findings, including photographs taken during real sessions.
This book will be an essential text for academics and students of psycho-
therapy and counselling seeking to understand the impact and implemen-
tation of sand- tray therapy. It also offers a complete guide for practicing
counsellors and psychotherapists, including arts and play therapists, who
wish to use sand- tray therapy in their work.
Dr Doreen Fleet is a chartered psychologist (Counselling) with the BPS and
became BACP accredited in 2007. She was a senior university lecturer and
currently offers external postgraduate research supervision at the University
of Chester. Doreen has consistently used creative ways of working throughout
her teaching and counselling career.

Pluralistic Sand- Tray Therapy
Humanistic Principles for Working
Creatively with Adult Clients
Doreen Fleet
Cover image: © Doreen Fleet
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Doreen Fleet
The right of Doreen Fleet to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised
in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or
hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing- in- Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Names: Fleet, Doreen, author.
Title: Pluralistic sand-tray therapy: humanistic principles for working
creatively with adult clients / Doreen Fleet.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2022. |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2022003701 | ISBN 9780367747749 (pbk) |
ISBN 9780367746117 (hbk) | ISBN 9781003158707 (ebk)
Subjects: LCSH: Play therapy. | Art therapy.
Classification: LCC RJ505.P6 F54 2022 |
DDC 618.92/891653–dc23/eng/20220318
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022003701
ISBN: 978- 0- 367- 74611- 7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978- 0- 367- 74774- 9 (pbk)
ISBN: 978- 1- 003- 15870- 7 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/ 9781003158707
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Newgen Publishing UK
Contents
1 Introduction 1
Sand and its symbolism 1
What is sand- tray therapy? 2
Historical context 3
Contemporary literature on sand- tray therapy 4
2 Introducing the pluralistic theoretical framework 12
The foundation of the framework 12
Sand- tray component 13
Pluralistic component 14
Case study: Jackie 15
Case study: Grace 16
Case study: Shirley 18
Symbolism component 21
3 Sand- tray specific mechanisms 25
Phenomenological anchor 25
Case study: John 26
Phenomenological hook 29
4 The dynamic phenomenological field 37
Phenomenological shift 38
Phenomenological flux 41
Phenomenological distortion 43
Phenomenological denial 45
Case study: Ruth 46
Pre- phenomenological process 48
viii Contents
5 Additional benefits characteristic of sand- tray therapy 51
Touch 51
Spatial arrangement of the objects 55
Moving an object around the sand tray 56
Adding an object to the sand tray 56
Removing an object from the sand tray 57
Case study: Anne 57
Burying objects in the sand 58
The protective object 59
6 Structured sand- tray sessions 62
Ideas for structured sand- tray sessions 63
Life space 63
Overall picture 64
Looking back at happier times 64
Eight emotions 64
Relationship dynamics and associated emotions 66
My givers and takers 66
Speaking the unspoken: unfinished business 67
7 Particular challenges for sand- tray therapy 71
Cutting through intellectualisation as a defence 71
Persistence of the adult persona as a block 73
Male gender role socialisation as a block 75
Adequate resources required for sand- tray therapy 76
8 Protocol for pluralistic sand- tray therapy 80
Initial assessment session 80
Sand- tray sessions 84
First session 84
Continuing sessions 86
Final session 88
9 Pluralistic sand- tray therapy and specific client issues 92
Anxiety 92
Depression 95
Transforming a client’s present depressive state into a
positive future- orientated attitude 96
Adopting a four focus approach with depression 96
Mobilising the client’s everyday resources 97
Helping establish congruent emotions within the client 98
Contents ix
Loss 98
Bereavement 99
Ambiguous loss 99
Disenfranchised grief 99
Anticipatory loss 100
Guilt and shame 102
Relationship problems 104
Intimate relationships 104
Parent and child relationships 104
Sibling relationships 105
Work relationships 105
Suicidal thoughts 106
Intentional self- harm 107
10 Pluralistic sand- tray therapy with different client groups 114
Age groups 114
Adolescents 115
Young adults 117
Clients in the mid-years 118
Older age group 119
Gender 121
Female clients 121
Male clients 122
LGBTQ* clients 123
Ethnicity and race 124
11 Clinical supervision of pluralistic sand- tray therapy 131
Cognitive behaviour clinical supervision 132
Person- centred therapy supervision 132
Gestalt supervision using creative interventions 133
Pluralistic clinical supervision 134
Pluralistic sand- tray supervision 135
Supervision practice examples 137
Supervision with a therapist new to sand- tray work 138
Summary of essential qualities and experience required of a
supervisor for pluralistic sand- tray therapy 139
Summary of the key considerations for a supervisee attending
pluralistic sand- tray supervision 139