Summer Sandplay!

Experiential Trainings in Sandplay Therapy

Gig Harbor, Washington State, near Seattle

California CE's available!

Apply training hours toward STA/ISST sandplay certification!

These two one-week, 40 hour trainings take place in a spacious training site in a beautiful setting near forests and walking trails, with ample room for experiential activities in a nurturing environment. Venture about a mile to historic downtown Gig Harbor and discover waterfront cafes, restaurants and shopping. Or take a walk on the Cushman Trail, 5 minutes away.

Through Sandplay Training Worldwide, Dr. Linda Cunningham provides soulful, in-depth, experiential training for professional psychotherapists in the art and science of sandplay therapy. Trainings cover practical, theoretical, clinical and ethical aspects of this powerful depth therapeutic method, and are designed to provide a transformative experience for the participants.

Introduction to Sandplay

Sandplay Therapy with Adults, Children and Adolescents

Linda Cunningham and Guest Presenter Laura Soble

June 23-27, 2025

9 am - 6 pm

40 Hours

Intermediate/Advanced Sandplay Therapy: Healing Complex Trauma

Sandplay Therapy with Adults and Adolescents

Linda Cunningham and Guest Presenter Jill Kaplan

September 15-19, 2025

9 am - 6 pm

40 Hours

Attend the first week if you're a beginner.

Attend the second week if you're more advanced.

OR attend both weeks

40 STA/ISST education hours and California CE's each week

$1275 for each week

Lunch is included

Register Here for June!

Early Registration for June 23-27, 2025: Introduction to Sandplay

$1275

Register Here for September!

Early Registration for September 15-19, 2025:

Intermediate/Advanced Sandplay. Emphasis on Jungian Theory and Complex Trauma

$1275

Comments from previous participants in the summer training program:

“It was such a supportive environment and material was presented in such a way that I felt able to be present and glean the learnings in my own way—and also to discover my own way. This speaks to the presenter’s unique ability, supported by vast knowledge, to present the material in a manner that whatever one’s level of knowledge and experience, we were all harmonized as a group.”

“STELLAR! A very enriching week. Each day built on the previous day’s material. It will continue to work on me personally and professionally.”

“Linda holds a sacred space and I felt held and safe. I was never bored! Thank you to Linda for sharing her wisdom and professional experience.”

“I got what I hoped for and beyond.”

“Linda is warm, wise, grounded, informative, welcoming, knowledgeable, experienced, articulate and able to convey material that is both imperative and fascinating. I hung on every word. I appreciate her style and perspective.”

“Very positive and accepting. Filled with intellectual challenge and at the same time permission to “not know.””

“Deep learning. I felt very “held” by Linda in the space. A flow that allowed me to absorb at my own speed.”

“I was very grateful for Linda’s depth, gentle and flexible style, ability to create safe, relational space and her knowledge and love of the sandplay process.”

“Great flow, alternating different modalities (didactic, case presentation of sandplay work, conversation/questions/review and the opportunity to do and witness sandplay.”

“I really enjoyed the experiential time at the end of each day as well as making time for questions and comments throughout the training.”

“Welcoming, down to earth, playful and light. Linda was willing to share and discuss countertransference experiences that many therapists neglect to talk about in professional settings. Good pacing with material. Excellent hospitality!”

Summer Sandplay Course Description

Sandplay is a powerful depth psychotherapy method and evidence-based practice that heals nonverbal or preverbal trauma in both children and adults, thereby promoting healing. These courses provides practical, experiential, theoretical, clinical and soulful introduction to Jungian sandplay therapy. Clinical material will be brought to life through case material.

Introduction to Sandplay Therapy, June 23-27 covers many basic educational requirements as determined by Sandplay Therapists of America and the International Society of Sandplay Therapists. This training includes: Fundamentals of Sandplay (18 hours), Symbolism (10 hours) and Clinical Sandplay (12 hours). 40 Education Hours.

Educational Goals

• Learn to create a psychotherapy office setting for sandplay with the necessary equipment and be able to begin using sandplay in your practice.

• Increase your skills in creating the free and protected space.

• Improve your capacity for symbolic thinking

• Learn how to use sandplay therapy with children, adolescents, and adults

• Experience the transformative power of symbols. Be able to research symbols and work with symbolic process.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training you will be able to:

1.          Discuss the general research findings for sandplay

2.          Describe two foundational concepts of Kalffian sandplay

3.          Create a psychotherapy office setting for sandplay with the necessary equipment

4.          Describe how to provide a safe therapeutic environment—the “free and protected space”

5.          Demonstrate practical sandplay skills with clients

6.          Explain the difference between sandplay and sandtray

7.          Describe Jungian, Kalffian sandplay work with children and adults

8.          Name the “three pillars” of sandplay

9.          Explain Lowenfeld’s role in the history of sandplay

10.       Identify two ethical considerations when using sandplay with diverse client populations

11.       Discuss the three kinds of training that are required to demonstrate sandplay therapist competence according to STA

12.       Explain one way you would describe to parents how sandplay can help their child

13.       Discuss how to approach understanding a sandplay image

14.       Describe the importance of the symbol in healing

15.       Explain how to investigate a particular symbol from personal, cultural and archetypal sources

16.       Review developmental and psychosocial issues specific to work with children and teens.

17.       Describe the components of self-regulation and apply to work with children and adolescents.

18.       Define the three levels of the unconscious in the human psyche according to Jung.

19.       Identify a Self tray in a sandplay process.

20.       Explain Kalff’s concept of the “mother-child unity.”

Course meets the qualifications for 40 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Linda Cunningham is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. 

Linda Cunningham maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Provider # 017288

Intermediate/Advanced Sandplay Therapy, September 15-19, is an extension of the first week’s training and may be attended by those who do not attend the June training. In the September training, we will explore Kalff’s and Jung’s view of the relationship in sandplay, and the relational aspects of healing complex trauma. We will also view many sandplay cases. This training includes Clinical Sandplay (14 hours), Symbolism in Sandplay (8 hours), Jungian Theory in Sandplay (18 Hours). 40 hours Education Hours.

Educational Objectives:

• To become familiar with the basic concepts in Jungian theory and to be able to apply these to sandplay.  

• To increase your clinical skill in holding, containing, metabolizing client’s nonverbal trauma.

• Understand the healing implications of the nonverbal space of sandplay

 Learning Objectives

By the end of this weekend training, you will be able to

1.     List two concepts in Jungian theory

2.     Discuss the relationship between symbols and archetypes

3.     Describe Jung’s view of the therapeutic relationship

4.     Discuss the self-healing capacity of the psyche

5.     Describe the process of “deintegration and reintegration” in psychic growth

6.     Discuss the role of a contemplative approach in sandplay therapy

7.     Describe your own experience of working with symbols

8.     List three Jungian terms regarding the structure and processes of the psyche, such as persona, shadow, complex, archetype, ego-Self axis, individuation, transcendent function

9.     Describe one Jungian personality concept you've identified in yourself

10.  Apply two Jungian concepts to sandplay work

11.  Name the uniquely Jungian layer of the unconscious

12.  Explain the Jungian view of consciousness and the unconscious

These trainings are designed to give a solid foundation to the sandplay therapist. Trainings are open to those who are interested in deepening their skills and understanding, and also to those seeking certification.

Gig Harbor, Washington was once a small fishing village on Puget Sound near Seattle. Today it is a beautiful little town full of restaurants and shops on the edge of a harbor full of sailboats. Stop and take a breath of the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest as we learn the fundamentals and complexities of sandplay.

Easy transportation from SeaTac Airport near Seattle, WA to Gig Harbor

The distance between Seattle Airport (SEA) and Gig Harbor is 32 miles. 

There are many transportation options from Seattle Airport (SEA-TAC) to Gig Harbor.

Rent a car at the airport or at Enterprise Car Rental in Gig Harbor; Gig Harbor hours are 9-5.

For more information, call Dr. Cunningham at 415-346-6363, or email Linda@SandplayTrainingWorldwide.com. 

LODGING

Check B&B’s and AirBnB. I noticed a couple of sailboats for overnight stays.

Hotels nearest to the training site:

The Inn at Gig Harbor, 4.4 miles on foot, 1 hour 50 minutes, 11-12 minutes by car. 3211 56th Street, Gig Harbor, in “Uptown” on the other side of the freeway. Uptown is a shopping center area that has shopping, restaurants and whatever else you need 

Best Western Wesley Inn and Suites, 3 miles on foot, 1 hour, 11 minutes. 8 minutes by car. 6575 Kimball Drive, Gig Harbor, WA. Near Kimball Cafe.

Waterfront Inn, 1.6 miles, 35 minute walk. 6 minute drive, 9017 N. Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, WA 98332. (253) 857-0770. info@waterfront-inn.com. In downtown Gig Harbor, near shops and restaurants.

Many of the hotels listed online under “Gig Harbor” are actually in Tacoma or Port Orchard. These hotels tend to be less expensive. These cities are at least 20 minutes away by car. To get to Tacoma, you cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and pay a toll on the way into Tacoma.

Restaurants in Gig Harbor

• Devoted Kiss Café—breakfast and lunch on the water

• Suzanne’s Bakery—yummy pastries, lattes, salads and sandwiches, outdoor seating

• Original Pancake House—breakfast. Open until 2pm.

• Anthony’s Home Port—seafood restaurant on the water

• Tides Tavern—a local favorite on the water

• Il Lucano—great Italian

• Morso Bistro—good food, wonderful view from large deck

• Gourmet Burger Shop—fresh, hot burgers

• Netshed No. 9—fresh baked cinnamon rolls and breakfast

• El Pueblito—old fashioned Mexican food

• Millville Pizza—great pizza

• Puerta Vallerta—Mexican food, between training site and downtown Gig Harbor

Restaurants in Uptown Gig Harbor

• Fondi Pizzeria—great pizza, outdoor seating

• Moctezuma’s—Mexican food

• Greenhouse Restaurant—excellent food, large outdoor seating area

• Cutter’s Point Coffee—food to go and coffee, lattes. Outdoor seating. Two locations: Uptown and Olympic Village

Linda Cunningham, PhD, MFT, CST-T is a Certified Teaching Member of Sandplay Therapists of America and International Society for Sandplay Therapy. She is the author of Sandplay and The Clinical Relationship (2013) as well as Relational Sandplay Therapy (2005) and a chapter, “Attuning to the Flow of Relational Energies in Sandplay: Healing Complex Trauma in Adults” in The Routledge International Handbook of Sandplay Therapy (2017). Over the past twenty-five years, Dr. Cunningham has written many articles for the Journal of Sandplay Therapy on the topic of the therapeutic relationship in sandplay. Dr. Cunningham created Sandplay Training Worldwide in 2013, offering sandplay trainings for professional therapists and trainees. Since then, she has introduced sandplay and depth psychotherapy to hundreds of therapists and counselors, including psychiatrists at Walter Reed Medical Center. Dr. Cunningham has provided special trainings for sandplay therapists in United States, Ukraine, Taiwan, Chile, South Africa, China, and Russia. Dr. Cunningham is a frequent presenter at sandplay conferences. She practices in Gig Harbor, Washington, specializing in anxiety, preverbal trauma and blocked creativity. Contact: linda@drlindacunningham.com. Website: www.sandplaytrainingworldwide.com

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Continuing Education: STA and ISST

This course meets qualifications for 40 hours (per week) of education credit toward certification for Sandplay Therapists of America / International Society of Sandplay Therapists (STA/ISST).

Continuing Education in California

Linda Cunningham is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. 

Linda Cunningham maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Provider #017288.

If you have any questions, please call Linda Cunningham, linda@drlindacunningham.com or 415-346-6363.

Every effort will be made to accommodate persons with disabilities. If you have special needs regarding accessibility, materials or content please contact Linda Cunningham in advance to allow arrangements to be made. Please note that there are stairs at the Gig Harbor venu.

 415-346-6363 or Linda@drlindacunningham.com