About this live event

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the historical development and theoretical underpinnings of sand tray therapy.
• Identify sand tray therapy's therapeutic benefits and applications for various client populations, including children, adolescents, and adults.
• Explore the process of sand-tray based on the client's developmental stage across the lifespan.
• Demonstrate seven skills in setting up a sand tray therapy environment, including choosing appropriate materials, supplies, and miniatures.
• Apply basic techniques for facilitating a sand tray session, focusing on non-directive and directive approaches.
• Discuss the symbolic meanings of client-created sand trays and learn methods for integrating these insights into therapeutic practice.
• Identify ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity in the process of sand tray therapy.
• Describe five ways the sand tray is integrated across other modalities in the therapeutic approach, examining the role of integrated modalities in therapy.

Learning Levels

• Beginner, Immediate, and Advanced.

Target Audience

Agenda

Live event Instructor(s)

• 

  Kurt W. Oster, LBS, LICSW, LCSW-QS, ACSW, BCD Registered Play Therapist™

  CEO, VonOstir Innovation Services, PLLC & Chief Clinical Officer, Aspire Integrated Healthcare Solutions, LLC

  A transformative innovator, entrepreneur, educator, author, and social worker passionate about driving change, Kurt W. Oster, LBS, LICSW, LCSW, ACSW, BCD, RPT™ & Certified Playmaker is entering his sixteenth year in the mental health field. He is the Owner/President & CEO of VonOstir Innovation Services, PLLC, and the Chief Clinical Officer of Aspire Integrated Healthcare Systems, LLC.

  Mr. Oster is a Pennsylvania Licensed Behavioral Specialist (LBS), an Alabama Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a Florida, Pennsylvania, & Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and a Florida and New Jersey Certified PreK-12 School Social Worker (CSSW). He is a Member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), and the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, a Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD), and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT)™. In April 2024, Mr. Oster became a Certified Playmaker with the Life is Good Playmaker Project.

  Mr. Oster holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Urban Studies from Rutgers University, a Master in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Science (MS) in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Colorado Technical University. Additionally, Mr. Oster holds certifications including the ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Professional (ADHD-CCSP), Autism Spectrum Disorder-Clinical Specialist (ASD-CS), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and FEMA Professional Continuity Practitioner, Level I.

  As an LCSW, Mr. Oster serves children, adolescents, young adults, their families, LGBTQIA+, and individuals working through Trauma. Outside of his clinical practice, Mr. Oster is an author and presents information on youth civic engagement, SOGIE mental health, disaster preparedness, and emergency management to the international community. Mr. Oster, LBS, LCSW, ACSW, BCD, RPT™, is currently writing his first textbook in LGBTQ+ Play Therapy, which will be published in June 2025.

• 

  Emily Patterson, LICSW-S, PIP, RPT™, ICST

  Clinical Director and Owner of Joyworks Counseling

  Emily Patterson is the clinical director and owner of Joyworks Counseling, a group counseling practice in Fairhope, Alabama. Emily is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (AL-4224C), a Registered Play Therapist (#T6226), and an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist (#21-019). She offers 20 years' experience working with families, including over 10 years working with children who have experienced abuse and neglect. She has completed training in Theraplay, Child Centered Play Therapy, Adlerian Play Therapy, Animal Assisted Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused-CBT, Adoption Competency, Brainspotting, and Autplay. Emily is also a Certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator. Emily has over 10 years' experience working with the foster care system, foster families, birth families, and the adoption-kinship network. Emily practices from a neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQ+ affirming lens. Emily is also passionate about teaching clinicians in both training settings and through clinical supervision.

Disclosure