Sandtray Therapy
A creative approach when talking isn't enough.
A Different Way to Access What Words Cannot Express
There are times in life when you can describe what you’re going through, yet still feel unchanged. You may have insight into your thoughts and emotions, but something deeper remains unprocessed. Talk therapy can be incredibly helpful, but it is not the only therapeutic language available to us.
Sandtray therapy offers an alternative path—a gentle, powerful modality that helps adults access their inner world using symbols, imagery, and tactile experience rather than verbal analysis. It is an in-person, experiential form of psychotherapy that invites the mind and body to process emotions in ways words alone cannot reach.
At Graceway Wellness in Burlington, sandtray therapy is available exclusively for adult clients seeking a meaningful, non-verbal means of understanding and moving through internal experiences.
You do not need to be artistic, creative, or know what to say. You simply need to be open to a different kind of therapeutic experience.
What's Sandtray Therapy?
Sandtray therapy is a research-informed, non-verbal therapeutic approach where clients use sand and miniature figures to create scenes or representations in a contained tray. These scenes often reflect internal emotions, beliefs, conflicts, or hopes—whether consciously known or not.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, sandtray therapy engages:
- The right hemisphere of the brain, where imagery, intuition, and emotion are processed
- The nervous system, through the grounding tactile sensation of the sand
- The symbolic mind, where meaning can arise without force or overthinking
This approach allows emotional experiences to surface naturally—without pressure, re-traumatization, or the need to explain everything verbally.
Why Adults Choose Sandtray Therapy
Sandtray therapy is particularly suited for adults who:
- Feel emotionally stuck despite insight or self-awareness
- Experience stress or tension in the body that doesn’t shift through conversation
- Prefer creative or experiential ways of processing
- Feel overwhelmed or fatigued by talking about their experiences
- Sense that something meaningful is beneath the surface but cannot access it directly
- Have busy, analytical minds that often override their emotional needs
- Want to explore their internal world with safety, dignity, and autonomy
Many high-functioning adults—professionals, caregivers, and leaders—find that sandtray therapy allows them to access clarity and emotional movement that traditional talk therapy alone did not unlock.
What Happens in a Session
Each session is tailored to your pace, comfort, and natural process:
1. Settling In
You are welcomed into a calm, private therapy room. The sandtray and miniatures are available, but there is no expectation to begin immediately. You are invited to take a moment to arrive, breathe, and tune in.
2. Gentle Invitation
When you feel ready, you are invited to select figures and place them in the sand in any way that feels meaningful—or simply intuitive. There is no right or wrong approach.
3. Creation Without Pressure
You may build a full scene, place a single object, or move the sand with your hands. You may choose to speak or remain silent. Your therapist is present as a supportive witness, not an interpreter.
4. Reflection (Only If You Wish)
After your scene is complete, you are welcome to reflect on what you’ve created. Some clients gain insight immediately; others prefer to simply observe and allow meaning to unfold naturally.
Why Sandtray Therapy Must Be Done In-Person
The effectiveness of Sandtray therapy lies in its physical and sensory experience. Touching sand, positioning figures, and experiencing the space with your body present engages parts of the brain and nervous system that virtual sessions cannot access.
For this reason, Sandtray therapy is available in person only at our Burlington office and serves residents of: Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, and Mississauga.
Virtual sessions are available for other therapy modalities across Ontario.
Our Therapeutic Approach
At Graceway Wellness, Sandtray therapy is offered within a compassionate, evidence-based psychotherapy framework. Sessions are:
- Non-directive and client-led
- Emotionally safe and grounded
- Respectful of your pace and personal process
- Integrative – can be combined with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), mindfulness, or narrative therapy when appropriate
For clients who desire it, faith integration is available as an optional element, incorporated gently and only at your request.
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Fees & Booking
In-person Sandtray Therapy sessions are $185 per 50 minute session
Many insurance plans cover psychotherapy provided by a registered psychotherapist. Full fee details and booking options are available on our booking page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sandtray Therapy
Your Next Step
You do not need to have the right words. You only need to be willing to begin.
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