Sandtray Therapist Certification

Sandtray Therapy Institute (STI) is pleased to announce an exciting development in sandtray therapy training: sandtray therapist certification. Participants who meet the requirements and complete the necessary training and supervision will be eligible to become Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapists (CHST©). Based on an experiential training model developed by STI, trainees have the opportunity to learn how to process sandtrays effectively by facilitating a feeling-based, here and now experience with clients.

There are two levels of certification. This April, STI will provide intensive sandtray therapy training for those interested in completing the Level I (Skill Training) Certification. The training is offered on the weekend to allow practitioners and advanced students the flexibility that many need to complete the certification. Participants who complete this training will receive a Level I-Skills Training Certificate.
Level II (Advanced) Certification will be offered in Summer 2010. Both Level I and II must be completed to become a CHST©.

Spring 2010 Training in DFW Metroplex will be in Frisco (north of Dallas).

Level I (Skill Training), April 17, 18 and April 24, 25 (Saturdays & Sundays 10:00-7:00):

Thirty-two hours of humanistic sandtray therapy training and supervision will help trainees to:

1. Become more self-aware and grow personally
2. Become more centered and grounded as a therapist
3. Work effectively in the here and now with clients. The trainer will provide live demonstrations that show trainees how to stay with feelings, go deeper into the client’s awareness and work effectively with clients who stop their feelings.
4. Understand ethical considerations when working in the here and now
5. Better understand how clients grow and change
6. Integrate the skills learned into a unique style of therapy that fits each trainee’s personality
7. Practical steps/procedures to follow in conducting a sandtray therapy session

Six hours of supervision, including three individual/triadic sessions are included in the Level I Certification Training.

An experiential model of training will be utilized that includes instructor demonstration, live processing of recorded sessions, practicing humanistic sandtray therapy processing skills with a partner, observation of and reflection about practice sessions, and video recording of each participant’s practice sessions to facilitate growth and learning.

All training and supervision will be provided by Stephen A. Armstrong, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S. Steve has trained over 165 masters, post-masters, and doctoral students as well as licensed practitioners in the use of sandtray. Over the past eight years he has developed the humanistic therapy method of processing sandtrays with clients and has written a book, Sandtray Therapy: A Humanistic Approach, which includes a DVD in high definition that demonstrates the approach with an actual adult client.

Applications are due March 17, 2010. Space is limited; only eight participants will be accepted for the fall training. The fee for the four-day training is $595 for students and $695 for professionals, due upon acceptance to the training.