SANDTRAY THERAPY
Sandtray Therapy on Long Island & Throughout New York State
Sometimes, the things we struggle to explain are the things we most need space to explore.
Not every experience can be easily put into words. You may understand that something is bothering you but struggle to explain exactly what you’re feeling, why certain situations trigger you, or how your past continues to affect your present.
Sandtray therapy offers a creative, experiential way to explore emotions, relationships, and internal experiences without relying exclusively on conversation.
At Suffolk Family Therapy, Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST — an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist incorporates sandtray therapy into her trauma-informed clinical work, helping clients explore their experiences in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.
Kerrie Ryan, LMSW provides trauma-focused therapy in Bohemia, Long Island, with virtual therapy services available throughout New York State.
WHAT IS SANDTRAY THERAPY?
What Is Sandtray Therapy and How Does It Work?
Sandtray therapy is an experiential therapeutic approach that uses a tray of sand and miniature objects to help clients express thoughts, emotions, memories, and relationships through symbolic representation.
Sandtray in Action
Rather than relying entirely on talking, clients can use objects, figures, and scenes to represent aspects of their internal or external experiences.
For example, someone might create a scene representing their family relationships, a difficult memory, or the conflicting emotions they experience in a particular situation.
Sandtray is an alternative to verbal expression.
The arrangement of objects can provide opportunities to explore experiences that may be difficult to describe verbally.
Sandtray therapy is not about creating something artistic or interpreting every object as having a specific meaning.
The meaning of the sandtray belongs to the client.
The therapist provides a supportive environment, helping clients explore what emerges without imposing interpretations or assuming that particular symbols mean the same thing for everyone.
Sandtray work can be incorporated into broader psychotherapy and adapted to an individual’s developmental needs, preferences, and treatment goals.
WHO SANDTRAY THERAPY HELPS
Sandtray Therapy for Childhood Trauma, Anxiety, Grief, and Emotional Expression
Sandtray therapy may be helpful for people who find it difficult to identify, organize, or verbally communicate their internal experiences.
While sandtray approaches are often associated with children, they can also be used with adolescents and adults.
Sandtray therapy may support clients exploring:
- Childhood trauma and difficult memories: Experiences that continue to influence emotional responses and relationships.
- Anxiety and emotional overwhelm: Feelings that are difficult to understand or communicate.
- Grief and loss: Complicated emotions surrounding significant changes, separation, or bereavement.
- Relationship and attachment difficulties: Family dynamics, interpersonal conflicts, and patterns of connection or disconnection.
- Self-esteem and identity: Internal beliefs, conflicting needs, and questions about personal identity.
- Difficulty expressing emotions: Experiences that feel confusing, overwhelming, or difficult to put into words.
Sandtray therapy is not necessarily appropriate for every client or clinical concern. Our clinicians consider individual needs and treatment goals when determining whether experiential approaches may be beneficial.
SANDTRAY vs. TRADITIONAL TALK THERAPY
Sandtray Therapy vs. Talk Therapy: When Words Aren’t Enough
Have you ever known that something was bothering you but struggled to explain what it was?
Maybe you can describe an experience intellectually but have difficulty identifying how you feel about it.
Or perhaps discussing certain memories or relationships feels overwhelming, frustrating, or emotionally distant.
Traditional talk therapy can be incredibly valuable, but verbal communication isn’t the only way people explore their experiences.
Sandtray therapy introduces a different form of expression.
Through the placement of miniature objects and the creation of scenes, clients can begin exploring relationships, emotional experiences, and internal conflicts in a more visual and tangible way.
For some people, having something external to look at can make it easier to approach experiences that otherwise feel difficult to discuss.
You don’t always have to find the right words before you can begin exploring what’s happening inside.
Sandtray therapy can complement traditional psychotherapy by providing another way to engage with thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences.
Meet Kerrie Ryan — Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist
Sandtray Therapy With Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST on Long Island
Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST, is an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist through the International Association for Sandtray Therapy (IAST).
Her specialized credential reflects completion of the association’s requirements for professional sandtray certification.
Kerrie incorporates sandtray therapy into her trauma-informed psychotherapy practice, providing clients with an opportunity to explore emotions, memories, relationships, and internal experiences through creative and symbolic expression.
For individuals who struggle to articulate difficult experiences, sandtray therapy offers another way to engage in meaningful therapeutic work.
Kerrie’s approach emphasizes curiosity, emotional safety, and allowing clients to discover their own meaning rather than having interpretations imposed upon them.
You don’t have to find the perfect words to begin exploring your experiences.
Kerrie offers in-person sandtray therapy at Suffolk Family Therapy’s Bohemia location.
THE RECLAIMING PATHWAY™
Sandtray Therapy and The Reclaiming Pathway™: A Structured Approach to Trauma Recovery
At Suffolk Family Therapy, experiential interventions such as sandtray therapy may be incorporated into The Reclaiming Pathway™, our structured trauma recovery program, when clinically appropriate.
The program combines weekly individual trauma-focused therapy with weekly therapeutic groups to support emotional regulation, trauma processing, and meaningful changes in daily life.
Our Four Stages of Trauma Recovery
1. Build Capacity
Develop emotional awareness, regulation skills, and a greater understanding of internal experiences.
2. Resolve the Past
When clinically appropriate, address unresolved experiences using individualized trauma-focused interventions.
3. Reclaim Your Life
Explore new ways of responding to emotions, relationships, and situations that previously felt overwhelming.
4. Sustain Recovery
Strengthen self-awareness, emotional flexibility, and the ability to maintain progress beyond active treatment.
Sandtray therapy may provide an additional way to explore emotional experiences and personal meaning throughout treatment.
VIRTUAL THERAPY NEW YORK / SANDTRAY LONG ISLAND
Sandtray Therapy on Long Island and Trauma Therapy Throughout New York State
Suffolk Family Therapy provides trauma-focused psychotherapy in Bohemia and Smithtown, serving clients throughout Suffolk County and surrounding Long Island communities.
Suffolk Family Therapy offers:
In-Person Sandtray Therapy in Bohemia, NY
Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST offers sandtray-informed psychotherapy at our Bohemia location, where clients can engage directly with the physical sandtray and miniature objects.
Virtual Trauma Therapy Throughout New York State
For clients who prefer remote treatment, Suffolk Family Therapy also provides virtual psychotherapy throughout New York State.
Although some clinicians may adapt expressive or experiential activities for online sessions, traditional sandtray therapy typically involves working with a physical tray and miniature objects.
Our team can help determine whether in-person sandtray therapy or another therapeutic approach is most appropriate for your needs.
SANDTRAY THERAPY FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Sandtray Therapy
What Is Sandtray Therapy Used For?
Sandtray therapy can help clients explore emotions, relationships, memories, and internal experiences through symbolic and visual expression. It may be integrated into treatment for trauma-related concerns, anxiety, grief, and other emotional difficulties.
Is Sandtray Therapy Only for Children?
No. Although sandtray approaches are frequently used with children, adolescents and adults may also benefit from experiential methods of emotional expression.
Can Sandtray Therapy Help With Childhood Trauma?
Sandtray therapy may provide a supportive way to explore experiences associated with childhood trauma. However, research supporting sandtray therapy as a standalone PTSD treatment is more limited than the evidence for established trauma-focused treatments such as EMDR.
Do I Have to Explain Everything I Create in the Sandtray?
No. Clients are not required to explain or interpret every object or scene. The therapist supports exploration while respecting each client’s comfort, preferences, and personal meaning.
What Is the Difference Between Sandtray Therapy and Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a broader therapeutic approach, commonly used with children, that incorporates play as a means of communication and expression. Sandtray therapy is a specific expressive technique that uses sand and miniature objects. Sandtray work may be included within play therapy or other psychotherapy approaches.
Who Offers Sandtray Therapy at Suffolk Family Therapy?
Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST, incorporates sandtray therapy into her clinical work at Suffolk Family Therapy. Our team can provide information about scheduling, availability, and whether this approach may be appropriate for your needs.
Do You Offer Sandtray Therapy Near Me on Long Island?
Suffolk Family Therapy offers in-person sandtray therapy in Bohemia, NY. We also provide broader trauma-focused psychotherapy through our Smithtown office and virtual services throughout New York State.
START SANDTRAY THERAPY IN NEW YORK
Begin Sandtray Therapy With Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST, on Long Island
You don’t have to have the perfect words to begin exploring your experiences.
Whether you’re struggling with unresolved childhood experiences, anxiety, grief, or difficulty expressing emotions, sandtray therapy may offer another way to understand what’s happening internally.
At Suffolk Family Therapy, Kerrie Ryan, LMSW, ICST, provides a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences through creative, experiential approaches as part of individualized psychotherapy.
Sandtray therapy in Bohemia, Long Island. Additional trauma-focused therapy services in Smithtown and virtually throughout New York State.
Our intake team can answer questions about Sandtray therapy, relationship patterns, trauma treatment, EMDR, program fit, clinician availability, insurance and self-pay options, and getting started.