ABSTRACT

This book is designed to educate sex therapists and mental health professionals on the power of using sand when treating sexual issues, providing guidance in accessing their clients’ unconscious to seek new ways of healing.

Uniquely integrating sex therapy with sand therapy, Dawson describes how understanding and applying non-pathological theories and neuroscience to different modalities, such as Internal Family Systems and Polyvagal Theory, can help clients move forward from shame, sexual dysfunctions, and trauma. The book begins by introducing how therapists can use sand as a doorway into using metaphor and imagery in their practice, with information on how the nervous system keeps somatic experiences trapped in the body being explored. Written in an easy, accessible style, the book also includes handouts, belief cards, and case studies throughout to help therapists see the benefits of using sand with clients in practice.

Including forewords by Dr. Lorraine Freedle and Doug Braun-Harvey, this book is geared toward mental health professionals, such as sex therapists and marriage and family therapists, who are working with individuals and couples seeking treatment from complex trauma and mental and sexual health issues. It will appeal to students as well as advanced mental health clinicians looking to expand their therapeutic tool kit.

part Section One|72 pages

Mapping Out the Journey

chapter 21|7 pages

Introduction

Amazing Things Happen When You Trust the Process

chapter 3|9 pages

What Path to Choose? The Difference

Sandtray and Sandplay

chapter 4|9 pages

Innate Abilities to Navigate Difficult Terrain

Introduction to the Polyvagal Theory

chapter 5|10 pages

Multiplicity

Introduction to Parts in Therapy

chapter 6|9 pages

Adaptive Defenses to Use on the Journey

Using Internal Family Systems Through the Polyvagal Theory Lens

chapter 7|7 pages

What Goes in the Backpack? The Four Bs

Beliefs, Body, Brain, and Behavior

chapter 8|15 pages

Accessing the Unconscious Mind

Using Metaphor, Sandplay, and IFSsandtray

part Section Two|86 pages

Courageous Souls Who Heal with In-Depth Therapy

chapter 749|15 pages

Betty

Healing Early Childhood Trauma with the Pro-Symptom Belief Cards

chapter 10|11 pages

Billy

Head Down, Holding Shameful Secrets

chapter 11|33 pages

Billy

Healing from Grief, Loneliness, and Out of Control Sexual Behavior with Sandplay

chapter 12|11 pages

Jane

Letting Go of Painful Sex Through IFSsandtray

chapter 13|14 pages

Jane

Polarization of Shame and Being Sexually Free

part Section Three|34 pages

Clinical Exercises

part Section Four|16 pages

Outcomes of Client's Healing Expeditions

chapter 19416|3 pages

Soul Reflections

Discovery of Self-Acceptance

chapter 18|3 pages

Conclusion

Beginner's Mind in Trusting the Process