About us

Advancing Clinical Sandtray Therapy Worldwide

We’re a global community of mental health professionals dedicated to excellence in clinical sandtray therapy through evidence-based training, rigorous certification, and ongoing professional support.

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The Modality

What is Clinical Sandtray TherapyTM?

The Experience

A sandtray room offers a prepared space, smoothed sand, miniatures to explore, and a trained therapist who supports the process. As the builder creates, inner material can emerge in a concrete, visual form, inviting reflection, integration, and meaningful therapeutic movement.

The Therapeutic Foundation

Clinical sandtray offers a “safe and protected space” for symbolic work that can help reduce defenses and create distance from difficult material. Through metaphor and sensory engagement (including the rhythmic, kinetic experience of working with sand), clients can access and resource different parts of the neural system to support healing and integration.

Save and Protected Space

The safety of clients and therapists is one of the most important aspects of the modality. Dora Kolff identified the importance of a safe and protected space in her work with sandplay therapy. Clinical sandtray therapy aligns with that same perspective. We do not use directives, but instead “bridge” our clients to sandtray work when they are ready, allowing them to lead their work.

Best Practices
Our Mission & Purpose

We exist to advance clinical sandtray therapy through rigorous training, meaningful research, and professional certification that builds confidence and consistency in practice.

Our purpose is straightforward: support therapists in developing the proficiency and knowledge needed to work with integrity in the sandtray room.

2013

Austin SandTray Association formed

A discussion in an unfinished office about supporting a 3-day Trauma & the Embodied Brain training (including providing sandtrays/miniatures) led to creating an organization to house training supplies and coordinate networking. Founding members: Karen Burke, Elisha Bidwell, Liz Heyl, Julia Hoffman.

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Austin SandTray Association founding
Co-FOunder

Karen Burke

LPC-S, RPT-S™, CCST-AC-T

Karen provides clinical supervision to post graduate associates along with training professionals on a variety of mental health subjects. She owns a private practice where she sees children, teens, and adults. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and later completed an M.A. in Psychology from Webster University in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While in New Mexico, she trained in sandtray therapy with Theresa Kestly, Ph.D.  She was appointed in 2009 to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and served for over six years. Karen co-founded both the Austin SandTray Association and the Texas SandTray Association.

Co-FOunder

Sheri Shulenberger

LPC-S, RPT-S™, CCST-AC-T

Sheri works with adults, adolescents, and children in her private practice. She earned a B.S. in Marketing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and went on to earn her M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of North Texas in 2008. Sheri completed clinical sandtray training from Karen R. Burke through the Texas SandTray Association. She is a supervisor and an Association of Play Therapy provider training other mental healthcare professionals in sandtray therapy. Sheri is also an Adjunct Instructor teaching Psychology of Childhood Trauma at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Global Advisory Committee

Devoted professionals contributing to the development and advancement of Clinical Sandtray Therapy™ through direct consultation with Global Council.

Chanda Esparza

LPC-S, TF-CBT, CCST-T, LCDC-I

Ellen Meystedt

LPC, NCC, CCST, RPT™

Marissa Hoebener

LPC-Associate

Taylor Coleman

LPC, NCC, CCST-T

LorĪs Simōn-Salum

LPC, NCC, CCST-AC

Tracey Sadler

LPC-Associate, SB-CST-T, LCDC, Certified School Counselor

Our Trainers

Global Council's trainers bring clinical sandtray experience and a rigorous curriculum to teach and mentor mental health professionals as they deepen their work in Clinical Sandtray Therapy™. During our transition, our qualified trainers are under the TSTA umbrella.

Expand Your Skills

Ways to Get Involved

Access exclusive member benefits, networking opportunities, and professional development resources. Build connections with peers who share your commitment to excellence.

Membership

Become a Member

Join a global community of clinical sandtray therapists. Access exclusive resources, networking, and professional development tools.

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Certification

Explore Certifications

Advance your clinical skills with our accredited training programs designed for therapists at every level.

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Training

Find Training

Connect with fellow professionals at our annual conference, regional workshops, and online events throughout the year.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked
Questions

Discover solutions to your most pressing questions about membership and career growth.

It is not new! Sandtray therapy has a rich history spanning back more than 100 years. Margaret Lowenfeld and Dora Kalff are founding pioneers in the field.

Sandtray therapy might appear simple or like just playing on the surface. But in reality, it is a rich, projective technique that is full of implicit and explicit processing material. Without training the therapist might leave it to assumptions and interpretations that limit the depth of the work. There are many elements that sandtray therapists must consider to keep a “safe and protected space”.

The Global Advisory Committee is a group of selected professionals who are devoted to the advancement of clinical sandtray therapy. They help GCCST stay on track with supporting sandtray professionals by providing feedback and ideas to improve the membership, certification, and training experience. If you are interested in joining this committee, contact GCCST for more details.

If you are interested in creating an organization in your state or country, check out Texas SandTray Association!

Texas SandTray Association has been around since 2017 and has grown a strong network of professionals striving for the advancement of clinical sandtray therapy. The Certified Clinical Sandtray Therapist (CCST) designation was born here. After checking it out, contact GCCST and we will walk you through the steps.