Therapeutic Process of Psychological Sandbox Game

When sandbox players are playing sandbox games, the counselor usually has to sit in a place close to the sandbox in order to promptly discover the various secrets revealed during the construction process, but this The places should not be too close, as too close would interfere with the construction process. It is best for the counselor not to interrupt, ask questions, or express personal opinions until the sandbox game is completed. Just watch quietly. After the sandbox game is completed, the counselor will ask what each image represents, or ask some other questions. Some visitors will explain and arrange things at the same time, and this should be recorded. The order in which toys are placed should also be recorded.

Now that a sandbox setting has emerged, any further discussion of it will naturally revolve around the development of a theme or expansion of the theme. In the face of these creative processes with active imagination, in-depth analytical understanding is often more important than direct explanation and judgment. Henderson has aptly characterized this attitude of seeking understanding as somewhere between the attitude of friends sharing their experiences with one another and the professional attitude of a mythological exegete at work. Of course, strictly speaking, when faced with a specific sandbox setting, only those sandbox creators really know what it means, what this game experience means, what it feels like, etc. . Therefore, as a psychological counselor in sandbox games, it is not enough to just be an observer, but you should also try to be a participant.

(1) The entire sandbox game process is a process in which the patient explores and expresses his or her inner world. The therapist's acceptance, protection, and active attention to the case are important therapeutic factors in sandplay. Experiencer: (2) Respect and acceptance of the content presented in the sand table is also part of the respect and acceptance of the individual case.

(3) Concentration can guide both parties into the psychological (soul) world.

(4) The basis of "psychological contact" is that both parties are "there"

(5) Questions, explanations and clearing of the sandbox during the sandbox game must be expressed Respect for visitors.

"Psychological contact" is first of all attitude. During the sandbox game, we must maintain acceptance and protection of the visitors, so that the visitors feel safe and free. Secondly, open-ended questions should be asked in a frank and calm tone.

After completion, take a color photo or slideshow and record and save it. You can shoot from straight up or from multiple angles, but slightly inclined photography can fully reflect the content of the work. If necessary, you can draw a series of sketches or sketches.

It should be noted that each visitor's work should be saved and recorded. When analyzing, pay attention to the changes, interrelationships, and development possibilities in the work. It is children's nature to like games, so sand play has become a psychological treatment method that is easily accepted by children and is one of the widely used methods to treat children's psychological problems. Adults generally have a certain resistance to games at the beginning, but after patients develop trust in the consultation, they can be invited to undergo sandplay therapy. The promotion of sandplay games in the treatment of adults is also accelerating.

Because sand play is more targeted at children, we will take children as an example to introduce the process of sand play:

Children are usually accompanied by their parents during the first consultation. Yes, the therapist should first ask the parents some relevant questions and let the parents fill in some questionnaires and scales. The time should not be too long, and be careful not to make the children feel left out or criticized.

Then the therapist will lead the child directly into the playroom without the parents following. Under special circumstances, if a child has a strong sense of insecurity, parents are allowed to send him or her to the playroom, but the parents must exit the playroom before treatment begins.

In the playroom, the therapist introduces the child to the sandbox, various toys, and the water provided for the wet sandbox. The child can use these materials to create any picture on the sandbox. Each treatment lasts 30 to 40 minutes. Leave a few minutes before the end of the treatment to allow the child to talk about what he has done and to give him a chance to express his inner feelings.

Some basic requirements for sand play should be clarified to the patient during the first consultation:

(1) Tell the patient that he or she can play with any toys on the shelf;

( 2) If something is broken, the therapist will repair it, but it cannot be damaged intentionally

(3) You cannot hurt yourself or the therapist during the game;

(4) After the treatment, it is up to the therapist to clean up, leaving the patient alone.

Because children's understanding ability is not strong, the therapist should strive to be concise when telling these rules, and at the same time, be careful not to give too much information. All children need clear definitions of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior. Children will only feel safe when they know the boundaries of behavior.

When the child begins to explore the sandbox and toys on his own, the therapist will sit down behind the child to observe and record the progress of the sand play.

The record content includes how the child started, whether he jumped in immediately or was more hesitant; what was the first toy chosen, and what types of toys were chosen later; and where the toys were placed in the sandbox. What is it, and what is the relationship between them? How much space does the child have to explore on the sand table? What is the final result, etc.

After the child leaves the playroom, the therapist will take pictures of the images in the sandbox and keep them as data for analysis.

The child will automatically tell a story during the process of creating the sandbox picture or at the end. If the child does not tell it, the therapist can invite the child to tell what he/she has laid out and what he/she wants to express. What a feeling. The story will express the child's emotions, the themes presented in the sand table, the symbolic meaning of the toys, etc. The therapist does not evaluate or explain the content of the game or the stories told by the child. All the therapist has to do is listen carefully and accept it sincerely. The Kalff school of sand play emphasizes delayed interpretation, that is, at some time after the entire treatment session, the therapist and the patient will review the saved photos of the sand play to help the child better understand the symbolic meaning and emotional meaning expressed in the sand tray. conflict.

Sand play therapy requires at least 5 to 6 sessions, and it is necessary to discuss with the child's parents beforehand whether they can persist. If parents want to stop the consultation, they should notify the therapist in advance. The therapist can make the child mentally prepared for the end and consult 1 to 2 more times. Otherwise, the sudden stop will make the child uncomfortable and have a negative impact on the child's psychology.