Episode Description:

Welcome to another episode of "The Sandtray Therapy Journey," the podcast where we explore the transformative world of sandtray therapy. In this episode, host Donna Mirus, owner and provider of The Canadian Sandtray Institute, takes us on a fascinating journey into the neurobiology of sandtray therapy and how it elicits responses in the brain. By understanding the intricate mechanisms of the brain and the power of sandtray therapy, we gain a deeper appreciation for its effectiveness in facilitating healing and growth.

Donna begins by discussing the concept of brain integration and its relevance to sandtray therapy. She explains how well-integrated brains contribute to emotional regulation, adaptive responses to stressors, and healthy relationships. Drawing from the research of trauma expert Dr. Bessel VanderKolk, Donna highlights the impact of traumatic experiences on brain integration and the role of sandtray therapy in restoring balance within neural networks.

Next, Donna explores the insights of renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Siegel. She explains the importance of bilateral and vertical integration within the brain and how sandtray therapy promotes both. Through the multisensory experience of creating sandtray worlds, clients engage both hemispheres of the brain, fostering creativity, intuition, and emotional expression. Simultaneously, sandtray therapy enables access to both lower and higher brain regions, allowing for the processing of emotions, memories, and conscious reflection.

Donna emphasizes that sandtray therapy bridges the gap between cognitive and emotional processes, promoting meaning-making and emotional regulation. It facilitates the integration of primal emotions and conscious reflection, leading to insight, new narratives, and neural connections that support healing and resilience. Understanding the neurobiology of sandtray therapy not only enhances the effectiveness of this modality but also empowers mental health professionals to communicate its rationale to clients, instilling hope, trust, and motivation.

Join Donna Mirus on "The Sandtray Therapy Journey" as she uncovers the transformative power of sandtray therapy through the lens of neurobiology. Each grain of sand holds the potential to transform lives, and this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the therapeutic power of sandtray therapy.

This episode is brought to you by the Canadian Sandtray Institute, your go-to resource for all sandtray therapy training. Visit www.canadiansandtrayinstitute.ca to learn more and embark on your sandtray therapy journey.