Windows and Bridges of Sand: Cross-cultural Counseling Using Sand Tray Methods

Abstract

In this time of increasing globalization, it is not uncommon to practice counseling in a context with native speakers of multiple languages seeking therapy with a practitioner in a shared language that is not their own. Providing therapeutic counseling across cultures can be a complicated endeavor. Sand tray is an expressive therapy, which allows significant non-verbal and pre-verbal material to be shared. This can be especially valuable when working in a cross-cultural, or language learner context. The sand tray allows the therapist to become a “visitor” to the inner world of the client, and literally see their interpretation of events and relationships without the limiting constraints of vocabulary and culture based assumptions. It provides a cultural window for insight in assessment and diagnosis and a bridge for the use of therapy techniques within the cultural context. In this paper, the sand tray method is discussed with regards to multicultural communication. The discussion includes a brief history of sand tray therapy development, and the sand tray method used. Case study examples of cross-cultural work done in Kosovo illustrate the effective use of sand tray as a medium for therapeutic intervention. The possibility of future research in the exploration of sand tray therapy as a cross-cultural means of counseling assessment and intervention are discussed.