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Understanding the Intersection of Reflections & Reflective Functioning in Sandtray Therapy

Reflection is one of the foundational skills of sandtray therapy, yet its true power extends far beyond repeating what a client says or does. When offered with intention, reflections can help clients deepen their awareness, make meaning of their experiences, and strengthen their capacity to understand themselves and others.

1.5 CE Credit Hours, NBCC Content Areas: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship; Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issues; Social and Cultural Foundations CE Credit Hours

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Understanding the Intersection of Reflections & Reflective Functioning in Sandtray Therapy

Understanding the Intersection of Reflections & Reflective Functioning in Sandtray Therapy

In this 1.5-hour home study course, guest teacher Marshall Lyles explores the intersection of traditional sandtray reflecting skills and the attachment-based concept of reflective functioning. Through clinical examples and practical application, you’ll examine how thoughtful reflections can support curiosity, emotional awareness, and deeper therapeutic engagement within the sandtray process.

You’ll also explore the different components of effective reflections and learn how to tailor your responses with reflective functioning in mind. By moving beyond technique alone, this course invites therapists to consider how the quality of their presence and their reflections can foster greater insight, connection, and meaning-making throughout the therapeutic journey.

Whether you’re new to sandtray therapy or looking to deepen your clinical use of reflection, this course offers a thoughtful perspective on one of the most essential skills in the playroom.

Presenter

Marshall Lyles

Why Add SPT to Your Practice?

  • “I personally took a lot out of this [program], not all of it was new, but what was new was extremely useful and impactful. What wasn’t new was an excellent reminder to go back to my roots of attachment and emotional work when working with children just like I have worked with youth and adults over the years but in a slightly different context. My entire team has felt the positive impact of this training on our work and we are very happy that we all did it at the same time. We will be able to continue to practice it together and that is very exciting.”

    Mike Smith

  • “This experience has been validating to my entire human experience, and offered a clear framework to better connect with myself, client, and world! I know this was only the tip of the iceberg into integrating these powerful concepts, and I’m so hooked, I’ve already signed up for certification to continue my journey!”

    Jessie Brockmeier

  • “It’s been over 2 years since I took the Synergetic Play Therapy [program]. One of the best choices I’ve ever made. The magnitude of deeply attuning with our clients…and ourselves…is immeasurable!”

    Jackie Flynn
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Cost

$49 USD

*All proceeds from this course will be donated to the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation and will go toward future scholarships and the Foundation itself. Registrations for this course are handled by the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute.

The Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to helping make play therapy trainings accessible and affordable to clinicians worldwide, as well as to fund research initiatives in Synergetic Play Therapy. Discover ways to donate to scholarship funds and current research projects by visiting the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation website.

 

About

A 1.5-hour home study course dedicated to using reflections and reflective functioning in sandtray therapy. 

 

Home Study Course
  • Describe the components of different sandtray therapy reflecting skills
  • Discuss how to offer sandtray therapy reflections with reflective functioning in mind

You will have access to this course for 365 days from the date of purchase. Access to this course and its content will expire at that time.

 

Marshall Lyles, LPC, LMFT-S, RPT-S has over 20 years of practice in marriage and family therapy and expressive/play therapies. Drawing on lessons learned from working with attachment trauma in a variety of settings, Marshall regularly teaches on sandtray therapy and family work around the globe.

Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7450. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is also an Approved Provider for the following associations:
*Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) Approved Provider
*British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) Approved Provider 23-01

Continuing education credit hours may be awarded to graduate-level counselors or students enrolled in a graduate-level mental health program. If you do not qualify for continuing education credit hours and would like to receive a certificate of completion for this program, please contact the Institute directly.

Fees are non-refundable, but are transferable to other courses. You will not receive CE credit hours for this course should you choose to transfer your enrollment to another course. Please contact the Institute should you have any questions or concerns. 

If you are needing financial assistance or would like to make a donation to support other play therapists in being able to afford play therapy training, please visit the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation website to learn more.

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