Sandplay: A Psychotherapeutic Approach to the Psyche

by Dora M. Kalff, Martin Kalff (Foreword), Barbara A. Turner (Preface)

This seminal text by the founder of sandplay therapy offers clinicians and students a foundational account of the workings and practice of this therapy. Through simple but elegant narratives of actual casework, Kalff articulates her theoretical understanding of how sandplay therapy heals and transforms the psyche. Dr. Martin Kalff, the author’s son, provides a new introduction in which he shares original historical material about his mother and her development of the sandplay therapy method. A comprehensive index and tables of illustrations and references are included for ease of study and understanding.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

169 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1981

Reviews

[Caroline Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dora Kalff is the originator of this type of therapy. She worked in the mid-1900s, and was able to do many things therapists would not be able to do now. She interpreted the sand trays of her clients through a Jungian lens. There were times I thought "how did you come up with that interpretation?" but it was definitely interesting

[Char · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0☆

i cant say im entirely sold on jungian psychology but i do think that play therapy has its merits.

in any case its an interesting read, though it does have a generally religious leaning and the author kind of plays into gender roles with her patients.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every word. A must read for anyone interested in sandplay or sandtray therapy