Grief Walking in the Sandtray

Abstract

This article reviews the symptoms of grief and complicated grief that can be reported or observed by therapists as well as the importance of therapists addressing these grief experiences first in their own lives before witnessing and supporting the grief journey of others. The Sandtray Worldplay © (De Domenico, 2002) method of witnessing a sandtray will be reviewed and integrated with stages of grief walking. Grief walking is defined as the mutual experience of processing grief by witness and builder but is unique given the builder is leading the journey. A review of healing tools for sandtray grief walking is discussed.