ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the history of sandtray therapy and then lists several rationales that include practical benefits for the use of sandtray therapy with adults, children, couples, and families. Nearly as long as there has been psychotherapy, play therapy has assisted in meeting the mental health needs of children. The Russo-Polish War in Eastern Europe in the 1920's found Lowenfeld, a London medical doctor and pediatrician, providing medical services for those experiencing the typhus outbreak and those in prisoner of war camps in Poland. Verbal therapies that keep the focus on cognitive issues don't consider the importance of the heart, which bring to us the issues of life. As experienced sandtray therapists will attest, there are many benefits for both clients and counselors. Similar to other expressive and projective treatment modalities, sandtray therapy provides an important medium to reach hurting clients.
