Welcome!
The Colorado Sandplay Therapy Association (CSTA) was founded in April 1995 to nurture and expand Dora Kalff’s vision of Sandplay Therapy and to support the Sandplay Therapists of America (STA). The practice of sandplay is grounded in Jungian psychology, Margaret Lowenfeld’s World Technique, and Tibetan Buddhist wisdom. CSTA’s mission is realized through educational programs and professional support.
Board of Directors
Shannon Yockey, LCSW, CST-T
Barbara Sheehan-Zeidler, MA, LPC
Karby Allington-Goldfain, MA, LPC, LMFT
Laurel Howe, MA, CST-T, Diplomate Jungian Analyst (CSTA Advisor)
SPECIAL NOTE: Click here to learn about Laurel Howe‘s book,”War of the Ancient Dragon: Transformation of Violence In Sandplay”
Check back here soon to see what’s next with CSTA!
We are working on our Fall schedule now and will update the website with the news!
Thanks for supporting CSTA!
All of our workshops are ISST/STA Certified Sandplay Trainings!
PLEASE NOTE: You have to attend the live, interactive webinar for the educational requirements towards ISST/STA credentialing.
Session 1- Webinar via Zoom
The History & Evolution of Sandplay Therapy
Teacher: Betty Jackson, LMSW, CST-T Date: Saturday, 9/11/2021
=== LIVE, INTERACTIVE WEBINAR COMPLETED ===
This session traces the history and evolution of Sandplay therapy from the pioneering work of British physician Dr. Margaret Lowenfeld to the brilliant work of Swiss child analyst Dora Kalff, who developed ‘Sandspiel’ and introduced this unique modality worldwide. Later permutations of this unique therapeutic modality through the art and play therapy communities will be explained and terms defined for applications of the modality for use with dyads, families, and groups.
If you would like to purchase and
watch the Zoom recording, please click HERE.
Session 2 – Webinar via Zoom
Sandplay with Children – A Developmental View
Teacher: Betty Jackson, LMSW, CST-T
Date: Saturday, 10/09/2021
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, MST with a 1 hour lunch break
Cost: Member $115 Non-member $135
=== LIVE, INTERACTIVE WEBINAR COMPLETED ===
This session introduces the core precepts of Sandplay practice with children and will address special considerations including educating parents about Sandplay, introducing children to Sandplay, tracking dynamic play, handling requests to play with them in the sandtray and responding to requests to show parents what they made. It will also include and overview of developmental. stages of play, explaining how Sandplay fits into this schema.
PLEASE NOTE: You have to attend the live, interactive webinar for educational requirements towards ISST/STA credentialing.
Click HERE to register for Webinar Session #2
Session 3 – Webinar via Zoom
Sandplay Practice with Adults
Teacher: Betty Jackson, LMSW, CST-T
Date: Saturday, 11/06/2021
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM, MST
Cost: Member $90 Non-member $100
=== LIVE, INTERACTIVE WEBINAR COMPLETED ===
This session covers the basic fundamentals of and unique challenges regarding the practice of Sandplay with adults, including introducing Sandplay to adult clients, working with resistance to “just playing”, supporting surrender to an unconscious creative process, and responding to adult requests for interpretation. The practicalities of note-taking, photography, and arranging a review of the Sandplay process will be addressed.
PLEASE NOTE: You have to attend the live, interactive webinar for educational requirements towards ISST/STA credentialing.
Click HERE to register for Webinar Session #3
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Topic: Sand & Water – Encountering the Elements in Sandplay
Date: Saturday, 04/02/2022
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM MST, Zoom Webinar
Teacher: Betty Jackson, LMSW, CST-T
Cost: Member $90 Non-member $100
This session explores the practical aspects, clinical meaning, and symbolic significance of the elements of sand and water in Sandplay therapy. Sand as a liminal substance associated with transition and change will be emphasized. Water as a fluid element associated with feeling, especially the more watery, emotions of sadness and grief, will be highlighted.
PLEASE NOTE: You have to attend the live, interactive webinar for educational requirements towards ISST/STA credentialing.
Click HERE to read more about this Zoom Webinar
Click HERE to register for Zoom Webinar
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Topic: Miniature, Myth, & Meaning: On the Therapeutic Potency of Tiny Things
Date: Saturday, 05/07/2022
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:15 PM MST, Zoom Webinar
Teacher: Betty Jackson, LMSW, CST-T
Cost: Member $90 Non-member $100
Of all the tools used in Sandplay therapy, the miniature collection is by far the most compelling. But what exactly accounts for the appeal and therapeutic potency of such tiny, diminutive figures? Why are we so captivated by all these little things? For insight into these questions, this workshop turns to myth and fairy tales across time and culture to investigate the theme of miniature and the universal archetype of the tiny hero, creature, or talisman lending aid to the protagonist in need. The potency of miniatures to evoke affect will be illustrated through several experiential exercises.
The workshop will further address topics related to acquiring and growing a Sandplay collection including recommended categories of miniatures, sources, “must haves”, “don’t haves”, care & tending, issues of quantity, quality, aesthetics, and more. Also included will be discussion about the psychology of collecting, what it means for the therapist, and when the collection is offered for use, how this “lending of self” impacts the therapeutic transference.
PLEASE NOTE: You have to attend the live, interactive webinar for educational requirements towards ISST/STA credentialing.
Click HERE to read more about this Zoom Webinar
Click HERE to register for this Zoom Webinar
An Important Message from Shannon Yockey:
September 26, 2020
Dear Sandplay Community Members and Colleagues,
It has come to our attention that there is an email with the subject line “PRESIDENT REQUEST” asking for donations for Veteran’s affected by COVID using my name and office as president of CSTA.The email did not originate from either my email nor CSTA; and, as with any scam email, we recommend you DO NOT OPEN this “President Request” email.
CSTA will NEVER solicit donations or monetary requests through email or phone calls.
This scam has been circulating during COVID and there are several warnings from government officials regarding this. Please be aware and careful.
We apologize for the inconvenience and please
contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely,
Shannon Yockey
Resources to consider as we navigate health and well-being through the pandemic.
STA Tips for SAFE PRACTICE in Relation to COVID-19
We understand that as many sandplay therapists re-open their offices to see clients in person, many questions may arise about how to do this as safely as possible. There are excellent guidelines for counselors offered by the American Psychological Association: APA guidelines.
With the health and safety of you and your clients in mind, we offer the following additional tips specific to sandplay therapists; use if appropriate for your office setting to reduce the risk of infection.
For you and your clients:
1. Thorough 20-second hand washing and the use of paper towels before and after sessions. Hand sanitizer may be used as an alternative.
2. Masks should be worn and physical distancing provided within the office space (at least 6 ft. apart) in waiting areas.
3. Disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, etc. regularly. In session and between-session cleanliness protocols may include: Chemist-grade surface spray on surfaces such as doorknobs, work surfaces and on all bathroom surfaces.
4. There are several options that you may want to consider regarding sanitizing the sand: spraying with disinfectant, use of ultraviolet light (sunlight or artificial UV that can be purchased) which may break down the virus, and baking the sand at 250-300 degrees F for 30-45 minutes after use to sanitize. For periodic deep cleans, here is a video about washing the sand. Current CDC guidelines about workspace surfaces are here.
5. Wipe down the trays with disinfectant between uses. If possible, consider providing each client with her/his own tray.
6. Consider meeting outside if this is feasible in your office setting to provide better air circulation.
7. Figurines and art utensils should be washed thoroughly with hot soapy water after each use and allowed to dry in the sun if possible. Keep personalized materials in zip lock bags. Disinfectant could be used but may degrade finish on your figures. You may wish to consider removing cloth figures which cannot be washed or disinfected. Again, consult CDC guidelines regarding surfaces.
8. Tissues and wipes should be provided in session.
9. It might be a good idea to keep track of all visits in the event that contact tracing is used at a later date.
10. Many therapists keep all artwork created in session, however it may be best to send artworks home once they are photographed for your records, as an additional safety measure.
NOTE THAT THESE ARE SUGGESTIONS AND TIPS ONLY! Please continue to inform yourselves of local restrictions and recommendations from government authorities and consult the CDC website for up to date virus information.