Level One Sandtray can be attended in 2025 with
Auscan Play Therapy Feb 4, 11, 14, 25th from 9:00 to 11:30 p.m Atlantic time (Australia and Canada partnership).
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy June 9, 10th
Maritime Play Therapy Centre Online September 4, 11, October 2, 9th 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Atlantic time.
INA Play Therapy – Italy July 17th and 18th ONLINE
INA Play Therapy – Croatia July 31 – August 1st. ONLINE
Level One Sandtray PT
Course Description
Participants in this course will spend two days learning about the history, theory and practical aspects of sand tray play therapy. Although some time will be spent exploring a variety of sand tray approaches, the primary model being used in this experiential workshop will be the Sand Tray World Play approach developed by Gisela Schubach DeDomenico. Participants will have opportunities to explore sand tray as a treatment modality from the perspective of the client, as observer and as therapist.
Through a combination of prepared readings, lecture, audio/visual materials and small group work participants will learn to:
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify the history and theory of sandtray play therapy.
- Understand when and how to use sandtray in play therapy.
- Identify how to set up for sandtray work and what materials to have available in the play therapy office.
- Gain familiarity with the Sandtray-Worldplay play therapy through practice sessions using this approach;
- Engage in group sand tray and identify how to create a group sand tray experience in play therapy.
Level Two Sandtray PT can be attended with
AUSCAN PT on March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 9:00 to 11:30 p.m
Sandtray Academy with Maritime PTC June 20, 21 st from 9:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Edmonton and Halifax September 20, 21, 2025.
Course Description
Level 2 is focussed on the use of Sandtray play therapy in group compilations.Directive sandtrays will be introduced.
Learning Outcomes
Review how to witness a sandtray using the sandtray/ worldplay protocol in play therapy.
Review sandtray competencies.
Reflect on sandtray competencies the therapist has developed or wants to develop.
Adapt this play therapy protocol to use with couples in couple therapy.
Engage in sandtray play therapy with a couples focus.
Discuss directive approaches to utilize sandtray play therapy with families
Review the use of sandtray play therapy therapy with therapeutic groups at each stage of group development.
Practice sandtray play therapy focussing on group stages.
Discuss using sandtray play therapy as a group check in and check out activity.
Experience using sandtray play therapy as a group check in and check out activity.
The Level Three Sandtray course occurs November 23, 24 from 9-4 p.m. again at 1600 Bedford Highway , Suite 306. You can also attend online with zoom.
Level Three Sandtray PT can be attended with
AUSCAN Play Therapy April 8, 15, 22, 2025
Sandtray Academy with Maritime Play Therapy Centre November 15, 16, 2025
Course Description
This level reviews how to integrate sandtray with other methods of psychotherapy including CBT, DBT, parts work and specific couples counselling approaches.
Learning Outcomes
- Recite how the brain works through the sandtray and play therapy process.
- Describe polyvagal theory and how sandtray can be used to assist builders in feeling safe using this model (familiarity, cues of safety) in play therapy.
- Discuss how to incorporate sandtray and play therapy into other models of therapy.
- Practice using the sandtray to represent parts of self in play therapy.
- Describe miniatures necessary for integration of sandtray play therapy with other models of therapy.
- Practice using the sandtray directively using each of the discussed approaches in play therapy.
We have additional courses that are asynchronous. However, according to the new World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals certification competencies only live (face to face or synchronous online courses can be utilized for certification). See competency mapping below.
Introductory Practitioner’s Certificate
| Credential | Hours | Maritime Play Therapy Hours Level 1 OR CAPT LEVEL ! | Maritime Play Therapy HoursLevel 2 | Maritime Play Therapy Hours Level 3 | Total Outstanding for Intermediate and Advanced Certificates |
| BASIC 6 hours | 6 hours | 3 hoursEquipment Set-up, sessions Documentation | 2 hours | 1 hour | Achieved |
| THEORY 12 hours | 12 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours (symbols metaphors) | 3 hoursTheory | -3 |
| DEV. AND RELATIONAL FOUNDATIONS 18 hours | 18 hours | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours | -12 |
| PERSON OF THE SAND THERAPIST | 12 hours | 1 hour | 1 hour | 1 hour | -9 |
| SKILLS PRACTICE | 48 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours | -36 Future and individual supervision skills practice |
Intermediate and Advanced Training to be launched in 2026
Intermediate Certificate Courses