Therapeutic symbols

Attended a 3 day course on Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Works last week. Basically it is a form of expressive therapy that helps the client connect with his feelings, inner emotions and thoughts. Prior to the course I have already experienced symbol works to be really useful in helping a child who has difficulty articulating or who is too afraid to be reminded of some unpleasant experiences, express and act out his fears. I was unsure however whether the therapy was suitable for adults and also doubtful about its effectiveness through self healing. An article in the ST about NUH planning to offer this therapy to patients with emotional problems cleared my doubts and propelled me to go for the course.

We worked as a pair and my partner reponded well, as in her emotions really flowed during the third session. Seeing the impact on her I was more guarded and selected a trivial problem to work on ( I was afraid to shed tears in class). An example of symbol works is to have the client think of a problem and then from amongst many figurines and symbols displayed across the room, select items intuitively and arrange them in the sandtray. The client is then encouraged to talk about the picture/story so created if there is one or just randomly talk about what the symbols remind them of. Like I said I was quite guarded and my partner in her role as counsellor got me to talk about the small problem I faced.

However what I did not know was the lasting impact on me. For many days that followed the picture which I created in the sandtray remained in my mind. Not only that, I also began to realise the deeper meaning some of the symbols had for me. I gained a deeper insight into my needs and with that a firmer resolution seemed to emerge for what needs to be done.

Today I had a bit of a tiff with someone over how to help a child in school. It is sad to hear remarks that the child must just simply learn to behave, without trying to understand why the child acts out or why the child has so much anger in him. Today I used play therpy with him. He created a story of a group of good people and animals hunting high and low for certain treasures which was taken away and deeply hidden by some bad guys. Amongst this group of good people was a 'sleeping mother' which had to be ferried around in a boat (he used a sea shell to be the boat). All the while a few big looming bears which represented the "Masters" guarded over the good people. They finally found the treasures and brought the treasures home to be kept safely.

This 9 year old child lost his mother 2 years ago. He now lives with the sister of his step father. Maybe he has needs to feel safe?