Sandtray Therapy Training with Dr Kirsty Bilski
Ethical and safe practice training you can trust and be proud of
About Sandtray Training with Dr Kirsty Bilski
Dr Kirsty Bilski has used sandtray as a psychotherapeutic tool in therapy sessions and supervision throughout her career. She originally trained with Ken Rabone at the Iron Mill Institute in Exeter (Now Iron Mill College), and has gained an extensive knowledge and theoretical understanding through many years of continuous study. She has completed a Masters Degree (MA) in counselling Children and Young People as well as a further MA in Consultative Supervision. During both of these qualifications Kirsty researched sandtray processess which formed a fundamental part of both of these academic awards. In 2015 she was awarded a scholarship with the University of South Wales to study towards a Doctorate (PhD) which was concluded successfully in November 2022. She has written academically about the efficacy of sandtray in therapy as well as its use in Supervision. Kirsty’s Doctoral research continued to explore theory and practice surrounding the use of sandtray in a therapeutic context as well as in supervision. Her recent research has surrounded the use of sandtray with adolescents more specifically, although she has used sandtray throughout her practice with Adults, Children and Young People. Kirsty was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 2016, and has taught on various undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the University of South Wales.
Dr Kirsty Bilski is now the Director of The Way Forward Centre for Counselling, Training and Professional Development. This is a CPCAB centre offering a wide variety of counselling training for those wishing to enter the profession as qualified counsellors. She is well known for her dynamic approach to teaching and training, and her dedication to the professional development of the students she works with. Feedback from those attending the sandtray training indicates attendees typically leave with confidence to apply their knowledge in practice, obtain a good theoretical understanding, with a clear ethical awareness for the potency of this very special pscyhotherapeutic tool.
Broadly speaking there are two main theoretical strands to working with sand, one originating from the early work of Margaret Lowenfeld, the other from the later work of Dora Kallf. The approach associated with its earlier use tends to be (not exclusively so) known as 'Sandtray Therapy', the later approach is known as 'Sandplay Therapy' being more associated with a Jungian Analytical approach.
Many counsellors attempt to use sandtray with very little knowledge for the potential of this approach. It does enable access to deep awareness from the unconscious, the process therefore demands respect and must be used wisely, carefully, mindfully and gently. Training is essential. Counsellors and psychotherapists, as well as supervisors, will learn how to use this approach safely whilst also experiencing what it feels like to be the client. There is a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
The Development of Online Sandtray Training
Kirsty Bilski has delivered these courses for many years, they were always offered via face to face workshops prior to the pandemic. Since 2020 the Foundation training moved online and has been so successful, with professionals choosing to attend from all over the world, that the 2 Day Foundation Course will continue to be offered as an online CPD course. It is possible to attend the either in person or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea.
The Foundation course is designed as an introduction to the more in depth Level 5 Diploma in Sandtray Therapy Practice, you will find information about this course further down the page. The Level 5 Diploma in Sandplay Therapy Practice will commence in September 2024, and will be a blended learning experience where students can attend online or face to face at the Centre. If you require further information about any of the sandtray training on offer there is an enquiry form at the end of this page.
SANDTRAY TRAINING CALENDAR & FEES Academic Year 2024 - 2025
(Last updated 06/04/2024)
FOUNDATION SANDTRAY TRAINING 2024 - 2025:
Saturday 11th May 2024 and Saturday 18th May 2024 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Saturday 6th July 2024 and Saturday 13th July 2024 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Saturday 8th February 2025 and Saturday 15th February 2025 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Saturday 14th June and Saturday 21st June 2025 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA IN SANDTRAY THERAPY PRACTICE ( 5 Modules) 2024 - 2025
You can choose to study the modules as and when you can afford to complete them. There is no requirement to complete all 5, however you would only achieve the Level 5 Diploma if you complete all 5 along with the associated work. Attendance can be either online or face to face, however attending face to face will enable you to achieve a more in depth experiential process. We appreciate it is not always possible for those attending from greater distances and international locations to attend in person. We do all we can to make the experience as immersive as possible for all attendees.
The Foundation course is a good preparation for the Level 5 but if you already have, and can evidence, training and experience in working with sandtray in a therapeutic context then you would be able to progress straight to the Diploma. You will be asked to evidence this on your application form. Kirsty will ask for additional information if required.
Module 1: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September 2024 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 2: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September 2024 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 3: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th January 2025 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 4: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th March 2025 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 5: Saturday 17 & Sunday 18th May 2025 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Click here find out more about the Level 5 Diploma in Sandtray Therapy Practice
About The Way Forward Centre
Face to face training is delivered at The Way Forward Centre (Way Forward Counselling Services Ltd), Suite 2, RVB House, Phoenix Way, Swansea Enterprise Park SA7 9FG. For those travelling some distance from home and staying overnight, there are plenty of places to stay locally. The Mercure Swansea Hotel is within easy walking distance of the venue.
This is a comfortable and spaceous training centre, with a park and lake opposite offering a gentle, reflective space during breaks and lunch if required. There is parking immediately outside which is free of charge. Training is on the first floor of Copper Court, there is a lift for ease of access. For more information about The Way Forward Centre, please click on the button below.
If I choose to attend online what can I expect…
Our online training takes place via ZOOM, it may be worth familiarising yourself with this communication platform if you haven’t used it before. During the training we use ZOOM breakout rooms so you can work in privacy with another course attendee, to practice the process at certain times during the course. There is time to talk together as a group, along with provision of resources to support your learning process. The groups run with both online and face to face students. You will be able to see the class and respond to group discussions whilst also watching live demonstrations. You will receive comprehensive notes and contain references to further reading material and research. If you are joining online , you will be sent your zoom links and guidance around joining about one week prior to the training.
These sandtray courses are experiential and demand a high level of personal awareness. Therefore all attendees for the scheduled training events are required to have qualified as a therapist or play therapist, having completed a qualification which has included self reflection and continued insight into personal awareness. Attendees will have also engaged in personal therapy as a part of their original qualifying course. Typically the training groups include qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or play therapists although other allied professionals such as social workers with additional therapy training have also attended. Training can also be arranged for trainees on recognised training courses.
The only way to learn to use sandtray ethically and safely is to experience how it feels to be a client, so you will be working in dyads to practice techniques throughout all training levels. You can expect to do a signficant amount of personal process over these days, whilst engaging in learning the practical and theoretical elements of the course. Keeping attendance strictly for qualified professionals helps to ‘balance’ the learning for the scheduled training groups, those who have attended in the past have remarked on the learning gained through the additional sharing of group experience.
It is recommended that all applicants have attended the Foundation Level before progressing to the Diploma
Bespoke training days can be organised on a case by case basis for groups who are in training to be counsellors, as well as groups of play therapists or other allied professionals in training. Groups of qualified therapists can also book bespoke training days if required. The benefit of planning your own training days is that you get to choose dates that suit you as a group, it enables those still in training to attend and for the group to decide the content they would particularly like to focus on. For instance, a group of play therapists will learn about the specific use of sandtray with young children.
Places on each scheduled course are limited so early booking is essential.
Foundation Training: Using Sandtray Therapeutically in Counselling & Psychotherapy
2 DAY (10 hours) CPD Training
Appropriate for those wanting to start using sandtray in their practice, the course ensures you have the foundation knowledge and are able to practice ethically and safely using sand. To be accepted onto this course you will need to be a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist, and be albe to confirm you have completed a number of personal therapy hours. Sandtray is a powerful tool and you will find you both learn how to use it whilst inevitably working on your own self awareness as well. Despite being an online course, you will find this training a wonderful learning opportunity whilst also being a journey of self discovery too.
This course will provide you with a background understanding of the theory behind the approach as well as the practical skills to get started. You will be taught from an integrative perspective, learning how different counselling theories can be applied to this work. Margaret Lowenfeld (1979) suggests that sandtray is a 'tool' that can be used from multiple theoretical stances; throughout, Kirsty will highlight and demonstrate how a variety of models can be successfully applied. You will learn how to use sand on its own, as well as with miniatures. You will also explore symbols, projection and interpretation, as well as learning an integrative framework which can be applied to your professional practice with sand moving forward.
You will build experience through experiential practice with other members of the group. Attendees must recognise they may be emotionally stimulated by the content in sandtrays, by aspects shared by others and by their own process. You will also learn by watching demonstrations and taking part in learning activities to enhance your understanding and developing skills. You will grow from the experience of the group and there is a strong emphasis on working safely and ethically with this powerful creative tool. It is recommended to complete this training before applying for the Diploma, as the content forms the theoretical foundation required. On completion you will receive a CPD certificate of attendance for 10 hours.
The Foundation training is designed to be an introduction to the Level 5 Diploma in Sandtray
If you would like to apply to attend any of our sandtray courses please complete our Sandtray Training Application From
Level 5 Diploma in Sandtray Therapy Practice
(Content updated 06/04/2024)
COURSE DURATION: 1 YEAR
FEES: The course will be taught over 5 modules each costing £360 (Inclusive of VAT)
The course will closely track the process of CPCAB qualifications including the 7 unit approach. The information we are releasing may be prone to slight change as we attempt to confirm the CPCAB approval prior to the start date.
The Foundation course is a good preparation for the Level 5 but if you already have, and can evidence, training and experience in working with sandtray in a therapeutic context then you would be able to progress straight to the Diploma. You will be asked to evidence this on your application form. Kirsty will ask for additional information if required.
COURSE CONTENT:
Content will include Integrative and Pluralistic informed sandtray practice, which will include humanistic, psychodynamic, behavioural and solution focused models. You will learn how to use sandtray ethically with adults and young people.
You will build a portfolio which will include for example: 2 case studies, 2 assignments, a continual learning journal to be kept throughout the award, peer and tutor feedback. You will also need to complete an initial learning statement and a self review part way through the course.
You will be expected to attend your own sandtray therapy process (20 hours)
You will be expected to be using sandtray in your supervision with a suitably qualified supervisor.
You will need to evidence 60 hours of supervised sandtray therapy practice during your enrolment on this course, you can extend your enrolment for a further 6 months in order to complete your hours (no additional cost)
You will also study sandtray research relating to different approaches, and client groups, using sandtray.
You will have access to an online learning platform where resources, and class materials, will be posted as you continue through the course.
You will be continually supported through this process by your tutor
You will complete 7 CPCAB Units as follows:
Unit 1: Work safely, legally and ethically as an independent sandtray therapist
Unit 2: Work with complex aspects of the counselling relationship as it applies to sandtray process
Unit 3: Use theory and research to work with client diversity in independent sandtray therapy practice
Unit 4: Use a coherent approach to respond to the needs of individual clients
Unit 5: Work with self-awareness as an independent sandtray therapist
Unit 6: Use theory, research and skills within a coherent framework for independent sandtray therapy practice
Unit 7: Monitor and maintain professional effectiveness as an independent sandtray therapist
Guided learning hours: 60 hours - (5 x weekends 12 hours)
Total Qualification Time is estimated to be 500 hours
This takes into account the reading and research required for the assignment tasks, writing and personal exploration, as well as class time. Not included in this estimate are personal therapy hours and supervision along with the client hours required for the qualification.
MODULE DATES 2024 - 2025
Module 1: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September 2024 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 2: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September 2024 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 3: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th January 2025 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 4: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th March 2025 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Module 5: Saturday 17 & Sunday 18th May 2025 Fees: £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
If you would like to ask further questions about the training but don’t wish to complete an application form at this stage, please complete the form below:
