The Evolution of Clinical Sandtray Therapy: From a Gathering in a Garage Office to a Global Movement
Although you may be seeing theGlobal Council for Clinical Sandtray Therapyfor the first time, our story began more than a decade ago. Our beginnings startedin a three-walled, unfinished office that still looked like the garage it once was.
What started as a simple conversation among passionate therapists has grown into an international organization dedicated to advancing clinical sandtray therapy worldwide.
Here’s how it all began.
The Beginning: Austin SandTray Association(2013)
The roots of today’s global sandtray organization began back in 2013 in Austin, Texas.
Karen Burke,a therapist trained in sandtray therapy at the Sand Tray Training Institute of NewMexico under Dr. Theresa Kestly, was meeting with her supervisors to discuss an upcoming 3-day training: Trauma & The Embodied Brain with Bonnie Badenoch.
When Bonnie requested sandtrays and miniatures for the training, a realization emerged:
What if there were an organization that could house supplies for sandtray trainings, coordinate professional networking, and support ongoing education?
From that discussion, the Austin SandTray Association (ASTA)was born.
Founding Members of ASTA:
- Karen Burke
- Elisha Bidwell
- Liz Heyl
- Julia Hoffman
The association began meeting monthly for:
- Continuing education in sandtray therapy
- Professional networking
- Communitybuilding amongclinicians
Annual conferences followed, and after just three years, it became clear that the vision needed togrow beyond Austin.
Texas SandTray Association& Clinical Certification(2017)
In 2017, the Texas SandTray Association (TSTA)was officially launched.
A major milestone was the creation of theCertified Clinical Sandtray Therapist (CCST) credential, a structured pathway designed to ensure therapists are grounded in:
- Evidence-based sandtray therapy principles
- Clinical competency
- Ethical standards
- Trauma-informed practice
Developing the CCST certification required significant vision, planning, and collaboration.
Founding Members of TSTA
- Elisha Bidwell
- Karen Burke
- Lacey Fisher
- Katherine Granberry
- Liz Heyl
- Brittany Jones
- Rebecca Roth
- Kirby Sandlin-Schroeder
As demand increased, interest in the clinical sandtray certification process began spreadingbeyond Texas.
Expanding Beyond Texas: A Global Vision
By 2019, conversations were already underway about expanding into a global sandtray organization.Karen and Sheri began exploring how to make clinical sandtray certification accessible to therapists outside of Texas.
Then COVID changed the world.
Like many organizations, expansion plans were temporarily paused. But even during that time, interest continued to grow.
Therapists from other states and countries were actively seeking:
- Structured sandtray therapy training
- Certification pathways in clinical sandtray therapy
- Access to a professional sandtray community
The need was clear. The community was ready.
Welcome to Global Council for Clinical Sandtray Therapy!
To meet the growing international demand,Global Council for Clinical Sandtray Therapy has been officially created.
The mission of the Global Council is to:
- Expand access toCertified Clinical Sandtray Therapist (CCST) Certification worldwide
- Promote evidence-based clinical sandtray therapy
- Provide high-quality sandtray trainingand continuing education
- Foster international networking within the sandtray therapy community
We are incredibly excited to welcome therapists from around the world who are committed todeepening their clinical sandtray practice.
Why Clinical Sandtray Therapy Certification Matters
As interest in sandtray therapy continues to grow, formal certification ensures.
- Clinical integrity
- Evidence-based practice
- Professional accountability
- Consistency in training standards
The CCST certification pathway helps therapists deepen their expertise while contributing to the advancement of sandtray therapy as a respected clinical modality.
Come Join Us as We Support the Sandtray Community!
What began in a garage in Austin has evolved into an international movement supporting therapists worldwide.
From Austin SandTray Association
To Texas SandTray Association
To Global Council for Clinical Sandtray Therapy
The mission has remained consistent:
Advancing the field of clinical sandtray therapy by providing exceptional training, research opportunities, and professional certification to instill confidence and consistency in the sandtray process.