“A Whole New World: Advanced Sandtray Therapy Series“

In a small group so that you have time for practice and questions!

Friday, October 30, November 13, December 11, 2026, and January 15, 2027

9:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Presented by: Meg Clark Soriano, LPC, ACS, RPT-S, RST-C/T

Meg Clark Soriano is the Founder and Director of the Center for Counseling and Education, with 40 years of clinical experience and a deep specialization in attachment and trauma. As a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S) and a Registered Sand Therapist – Consultant/Trainer (RST-C/T) approved by the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals, Meg occupies a unique intersection of play therapy leadership and master-level sandtray expertise.

For over 30 years, Meg has utilized sandtray play therapy to facilitate healing for children, adults, and families. Her approach bridges neurobiological research with play therapy theories, drawing from her extensive background as an EMDRIA Consultant and IFS-trained therapist. A former “NJ Counselor of the Year,” Meg is dedicated to mentoring clinicians in the art of using sandtray play therapy to move clients from survival mode to lasting connection.

In-Person Training:

Center for Counseling and Education

50 S. Maple Ave. Marlton, NJ 08053

Training Fee:  $490  

   16 Contact Play Therapy CEs

   APT Approved Provider #15-439

16 Hours toward the WASTP Registered Sand Therapist (RST) Credential

   This program is approved to provide 16 contact APT and NBCC CEs

Objectives

October 30, 2026

Day 1: Directive Sandtray Play Therapy

Focus: Structured prompts, play therapy processing techniques, and intentional tray facilitation.

1. Demonstrate at least three directive sandtray play therapy prompts designed to facilitate focused exploration of specific clinical themes (e.g., self-esteem, emotion regulation, life transitions).

2. Apply play therapy processing techniques to facilitate client insight while tracking nonverbal and symbolic play behaviors during directive sandtray creation.

3. Analyze the clinical indicators for selecting directive versus non-directive sandtray play therapy interventions based on client developmental stage, diagnostic presentation, and therapeutic goals.

4. Evaluate the ethical considerations and boundaries involved in using directive sandtray play therapy techniques within diverse client populations.

November 13, 2026

Day 2: Advanced Trauma-Informed Sandtray Play Therapy

Focus: Neurobiology, safety, grounding, and processing traumatic memories through symbolic play.

1. Identify neurobiological responses to trauma (hyperarousal, hypoarousal, dissociation) as they manifest in the play therapy room during sandtray creation.

2. Utilize sandtray play therapy interventions to build safety, grounding, and affect regulation within the client’s window of tolerance prior to trauma processing.

3. Analyze symbolic representations of trauma and resilience in client-created sandtrays within a trauma-informed play therapy framework.

4. Formulate a play therapy treatment plan incorporating sandtray interventions to safely externalize and process traumatic experiences without re-traumatization.

December 11, 2026

Day 3: Couples & Family Sandtray Play Therapy

Focus: Relational dynamics, systemic interaction, and co-created trays in play therapy.

1. Describe systemic sandtray play therapy principles for assessing and treating relational dynamics, communication patterns, and family roles.

2. Facilitate joint and multi-participant sandtray play therapy interventions that promote co-regulation, empathy, and shared narrative building among couples and family members.

3. Demonstrate play therapy processing skills for managing conflict, power differentials, and defense mechanisms during family sandtray creations.

4. Evaluate the efficacy of family sandtray play therapy interventions in externalizing system-wide stressors and strengthening attachment security.

January 15, 2027

Day 4: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory & Somatic Integration in Sandtray Play Therapy

1. Map client internal parts (Managers, Firefighters, Exiles) and autonomic nervous system states (ventral vagal, sympathetic, dorsal vagal) onto miniature selections within an IFS-informed sandtray play therapy framework.

2. Apply somatic and play therapy interventions to facilitate unblending from protective parts and shifting toward Self-leadership through symbolic tray exploration.

3. Analyze how the tangible medium of sandtray play therapy aids in externalizing complex internal parts and somatic nervous system responses for clients across the lifespan.

4. Synthesize Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, and IFS principles to structure an integrated sandtray play therapy intervention for complex clinical presentations. 

Each day will include an experiential practice component. 

Target Audience:
Licensed Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psychologists. Master’s level students are also welcome to attend.

Registration fee: $490 

      Registration may be canceled with a full refund (minus credit card processing fees) by contacting info@cfcenj.com with this request a minimum of 30 days prior to Day 1 of the workshop series.