Applied Sandtray Therapy Program

How does it work and what does this program include?

As part of this sandtray therapy training program, you can expect:
3 days of in-person experiential training
That is 21 hours of sandtray therapy training!
PLUS…
You will get your own portable sandtray, many goodies including miniatures, some fun swag, a fun experience and your own healing through the use of the sandtray!

AND... you’ll come away with the confidence needed to do sandtray therapy with all ages.

Cost:
$1199 Flexible Interest Free Payment Plans Available

sandtray therapy training

Locations/Dates

TORONTO, ON October 23, 24, 25th 2026
& MONCTON, NB (COMING SOON early 2027)

Course Level:
Basic/Intermediate

Suitable for:
Social Workers, Psychologists, Nurses, Mental Health Counsellors

sandtray therapy

Want to become an Applied Sandtray Therapist?

At the Canadian Sandtray Institute we offer the Applied Training in Sandtray Therapy. This program accepts mental health professionals and graduates of a specified mental health program to partake in an in-person experiential learning experience over 3 days.

THE APPLIED SANDTRAY THERAPY SUCCESS PLAN

1.

Completed!
(You are here)

2.

Enroll in the training

3.

Become a confident,
connected sandtray therapist

Applied Knowledge in Sandtray Therapy

Join us for a dynamic 3 day training that blends neuroscience, trauma informed practice, and expressive therapy into a deeply experiential learning experience. Whether you work with children, youth, or adults, sandtray therapy offers a gentle yet powerful way to access emotion, integrate memory, and support healing through symbolic expression. In this hands on training you will learn the foundations and history of sandtray therapy. Explore miniature categories, tray setup, and therapeutic rationale. Practice presenting and processing trays using a structured, stage based model. Understand themes, symbolism, and developmental differences. Strengthen your documentation skills using clinically sound, legally defensible language. Discover how brain science, polyvagal theory, and neuroplasticity explain the effectiveness of sandtray therapy. Engage in case studies and experiential practice across the lifespan.

Whether you’re new to sandtray or looking to deepen your skills, this training will expand your clinical toolkit and enhance your therapeutic presence. Leave feeling confident, inspired, and ready to bring sandtray therapy into your work.

Day 1

  • Describe the theoretical foundations and historical development of sandtray therapy, including the contributions of Lowenfeld, Kalff, and contemporary approaches.
  • Identify essential materials, miniature categories, and environmental setup required to facilitate safe and effective sandtray therapy sessions.
  • Demonstrate introductory skills for presenting the sandtray process.
  • Apply a structured, stage‑based model for processing sandtrays with adolescent and adult clients.
  • Analyze developmental differences in trays created by children, youth, and adults.
  • Evaluate case examples across child, youth, and adult populations to inform practice.

Day 2

  • Identify thematic patterns in client‑created sandtray worlds.
  • Recognize symbolic indicators of healing within sandtray processes.
  • Apply SOAP documentation to record sandtray sessions using best‑practice standards.
  • Explain brain‑informed principles relevant to sandtray therapy.
  • Describe neurotransmitter roles involved in emotional regulation.
  • Analyze cultural influences on neurodevelopment and symbolic expression.

Day 3

  • Explain brain integration and its relevance to sandtray therapy.
  • Describe key integrative functions that support the use of sandtray therapy.
  • Differentiate implicit and explicit memory and relate these concepts to sandtray work.
  • Apply polyvagal concepts to understand client states and therapeutic responses.
  • Analyze case examples across child, youth, and adult populations to inform practice.
  • Evaluate the role of therapist self‑work in supporting attuned presence, regulation, and ethical practice in sandtray therapy.

Meet Your Trainer- Donna Mirus

Donna has been working in the mental health field for the past 15 years, within agencies in both urban and rural communities. She owns and operates a private practice specializing in Sandtray Therapy. She is an International Credentialed Sandtray Therapist and has been teaching Sandtray Therapy to mental health professionals across Canada for the past 6 years.

Day 1

8:00-9:00 AM Welcome, Overview of Sandtray Therapy
9:00-10:00 AM
What is Sandtray Therapy?
10:00-10:15 AM Break
10:15-11:00 AM History of Sandtray Therapy
11:00-12:00 PM Materials & Setup Needed
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch
1:00-2:00 PM Presenting the Sandtray
2:00-3:00 PM Processing Adult & Adolescent Trays
3:00-3:15 PM Break
3:15-4:30 PM Practice time

Day 2

8:00-9:00 AM Practice time & review
9:00-10:00 AM Common Themes in the Sandtray
10:00-10:15 AM Break
10:15-11:00 AM Signs of Healing
11:00-12:00 PM Documentation
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch
1:00-3:00 PM Brain Informed Research
3:00-3:15 PM
Break
3:15-4:30 PM
Cultural & Lifespan Trays

Day 3

8:00-9:00 AM Review of Day 2 & practice time
9:00-10:00 AM Brain Integrative Functions
10:00-10:15 AM Break
10:15-12:00 PM
Neuroplasticity & Memory Integration
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch
1:00-2:00 PM Polyvagal Theory & Regulation
2:00-3:00 PM Case Examples and Practice
3:00-3:15 PM Break
3:15-4:30 PM
Practice & Conclude

For Certificate Eligibility:

1. Must attend all days  2. Completion of a course evaluation is required

Certificates will be provided via email after completion
Questions, grievances, cancellations, refund and special accomodations can be submitted to Donna Mirus at office@canadiansandtrayinstitute.ca
Training presented by: Canadian Sandtray Institute, Olds, Alberta T4H 1H3 Phone: 587-200-7775