About the ICST Training – Sandtray Therapy Credential

The ICST Training was developed using the Registered Integrated Sandtray Training (RIST) format developed by Amy Flaherty, president of the International Association for Sandtray Therapy (IAST). Persons who completed the RIST Training prior to ICST credentialing were grandfathered into becoming ICST, once registered with the IAST. (See section 3.4 of the IAST Approved Standards for the Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist (ICST) Credential and Continuing Education Program). 

The ICST Training is for mental health professionals who want to transform their lives, and the lives of their clients, using Sandtray therapy. It reduces burnout and the “not enough” feeling that some of us get when our clients leave with little results. Completing the ICST Training as a cohort provides a safe space for mental health therapists to heal through connecting with other like-minded individuals, and provide a lifetime of support and growth within that connection.  The cohort style means that the same group of individuals will complete levels 1 through 4 together at the same time, meeting regularly and opening themselves to self-development and a transformed practice. 

The ICST Training follows the IAST guidelines as provided on the website:

VIEW ICST and ICST P standards 

The Training incorporates four levels, all with Approved IAST Provider – Nidhi Kirpalani, ICST-P #006.

ICST Training – Sandtray Therapy Credential

Level 1

Introduction to Sandtray Play Therapy (in-person 13 CEs)

Level 3

Advanced Case Consultation and Personal Work in Sandtray Play Therapy (in-person 13 CEs)

Level 2

The Neuroscience of Sandtray Play Therapy (in-person 12 CEs)

Level 4

Advanced Sandtray therapy course taught by IAST Approved Provider (in-person 12 CEs)
and 15 online case consultation hours with the same provider. 

CURRICULUM

Level 1: Introduction to Sandtray Play Therapy

This workshop is an introductory class to sandtray work within the play therapy setting. It will cover how to work with both children and adults in sandtray as well as specific methods and techniques.

Day 1

Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:

    • Gain knowledge of the history of sandtray work in play therapy.
    • Understand the difference between sandtray and sandplay therapy.
    • Have a basic understanding of materials needed for this work, such as miniatures, sand, and sandtrays.
    • Understand and develop skills needed to process sandtray with adults.
    • List 20 directives for sandtray work in play therapy provided by the instructor and create others when given case examples from the instructor.
    • Work through several case studies of adults and gain an understanding of the process that occurred within the treatment.
    • Learn 10 themes in the sandtray, including those which indicate mental health concerns and healing.

Day 2

Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:

    • Have an overview of developmental issues that occur within sand tray work with children and other special populations.
    • Gain a basic understanding of non-directive play therapy as how it relates to working with children in the sandtray.
    • Understand and experience role play of sandtray work and experience a role play of how this occurs with children and sandtray.
    • Work through several case studies of children and gain an understanding of the process that occurred within the play therapy treatment.
    • Learn the latest brain-informed research behind the power of sand tray in play therapy.
    • Experience a group sandtray and learn 3 ways that sandtray can be used in a group and family therapy setting. 

Level 2: The Neuroscience of Sandtray Play Therapy

This workshop is an advanced sandtray therapy class within the play therapy setting. It will cover the brain science behind sandtray therapy and how this relates to working with clients in the sand.

Day 1

Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:

    • Gain knowledge of the basics of brain structure, especially in how this relates to play therapy.
    • Learn the tenets of interpersonal neurobiology in a play therapy setting.
    • Review several case studies in terms of neuroscience integrating with play therapy.
    • Understand how different ages work in the sand and play from a brain science perspective.
    • Understand the effect of trauma on the brain and how this affects sandtray therapy.
    • Learn 2 new techniques to help explain the brain structure to how working in the play and sandtray setting.

Day 2

Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:

    • Learn the Poly-vagal theory and how this relates to play and sandtray therapy.
    • Learn to interpret sandtrays based within brain science.
    • Understand the importance of implicit vs explicit memories within therapy and play.
    • Practice skills to enhance your work as a facilitator of sandtray therapy.
    • Implement the tenets of brain science research into your work in the sandtray.
    • Gain an explanation of how sandtray therapy can be a form of play therapy from a brain-informed method, including the nine pathways of integration.

Level 3: Advanced Case Consultation and Personal Work in Sandtray Play Therapy

This class is a two-day advanced class for those seeking further training in sandtray methods used in play therapy. Personal work will be used to practice sandtray techniques. This workshop will be focusing on understanding one’s own journey as a way to further appreciate the client’s world. Participants are encouraged to bring favorite miniatures as well as a journal. Sand trays will be provided.

Day 1

Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:

      • Recite how the brain works through the sandtray and play therapy process.
      • Discuss and review several personal case studies as well as those provided by the instructor within the play room
      • Discuss several case consolations provided by participants in the sandtray and play therapy room.
      • Provide demonstration of personal work in the sandtray with the trainer and participants.
      • Analyze 2-3 differing theories regarding the use of particular methods of sandtray work in the sand.
      • Apply techniques in the sandtray and play therapy from both the client and therapist’s perspective.
      • Identify 5-6 processing prompts appropriate for both children and adults in sandtray play therapy

Day 2

Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:

    • Analyze a live demonstration of the sandtray process and play therapy with a non-participant.
    • Discuss demonstration using clinical tools learned in the sandtray process the previous day.
    • Design 1-2 techniques to use in the sandtray therapy process from a particular theoretical orientation.
    • Assess and critique personal processing skills in the sandtray while in pair exercises.
    • Explain the importance of personal work within the sandtray as a tool to becoming an effective therapist through an experiential exercises.
    • Discuss how to incorporate sandtray and play therapy into other models of therapy.

Level 4

Level Four will be discussed by the group within the Level One Training. It will be primarily based on the needs of the group and chosen by the end of Level Two, with majority vote.

A detailed list of these topics will be presented to the group prior to attending the Level One Training. CSI is open to receiving suggestions for the group training at this time.

Level 4 Topics Include: 

      • Trauma & Sandtray
      • Positive Psychology, Self-Care, Self-Compassion in the Sandtray
      • Sexual Abuse & Sandtray
      • Working with Child Protection; Foster Care; & Adoption
      • Working with Children in the Sandtray
      • Working with Adults in the Sandtray
      • The voted option will be submitted to the IAST for approval. IAST requires a minimum of 90 days for approval.
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