ABSTRACT
Research is critical to inform our practice. It provides an understanding of the process, as well as a level of efficacy as a treatment intervention. Research, along with case studies and theoretical pieces, build the body of literature upon which a modality is based. The sandtray therapy literature began with Lowenfeld’s World Technique (1950) and Kalff’s Sandplay (1980). It continues through many venues and writers. Welldesigned and executed research studies are critical. In the current mental health care climate, outcome studies upon which to base treatment that is proven to be effective is critical. Evidence-based treatment is the gold standard. Evidence-based treatment is not currently available in the sandtray therapy arena. What we do have is empirical research that informs our best practices. A selection of those research studies will be described here. These studies can inform how you use the sandtray therapy process with your clients, assist you in communicating its effectiveness to clients, parents of child-clients, and other professionals. We hope it may also challenge researchers to replicate studies, which becomes the basis to obtain evidence-based status. For this to be possible, Ray (2006) challenges researchers to develop manualized treatment with clear protocols. Published research results must contain a clear reporting of the sample population demographics, including more specific identification of mental health issues. Overgeneralization and use of categories such as “acting out” is no longer sufficient.
