Shifting Sands: Sandtray Group

This ten-week group aims to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for youth facing challenges at home or school. Through the use of sandtray therapy, participants will have the opportunity to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a nonverbal and expressive way. The group aims to facilitate personal growth, develop coping strategies, improve communication skills, and promote positive behavioral changes.

Sessions will consist of the following:

  • Brief check-in
  • Warm-up activity (stretching, mindfulness, breathing technique, etc.)
  • Discussion of prompt
  • Time for participants to make their sand trays
  • Group discussion about their trays
  • Journaling/drawing to continue processing of tray
  • Quick relaxation activity
  • Take-home assignment related to the current group session prompt
Shifting Sands is meant to be an additional support. Parents are encouraged to have their children engage in services outside of group, such as individual counseling, as needed.

We want to ensure that this group is the best fit for your child. If your child is experiencing any of the following concerns, they would likely be a good fit for the group:

  • not following school or house rules frequently
  • yelling/screaming at siblings or adults
  • difficulty socializing with peers
  • impulsive behavior
  • mild destructive behavior (slamming room door, throwing phone on floor, ripping up homework assignment, etc.)
  • difficulty managing emotions
We will consider group members who have been suspended from school, but will determine appropriateness on a case by case basis (reach out to discuss before enrolling). If you are unsure if this group would be a good fit for your child, please reach out to discuss before enrolling.

The group is open to children in grades K-2 or grades 6-8, depending on the session. The fee for the entire ten-week group is only $20 for residents and $60 for non-residents (space permitting) and includes all materials.

The next session for grades K-2 will meet from 5:15-6 pm on Tuesdays at the Maine Township Town Hall from 9/17/24-12/10/24 (no group on 10/29, 11/5, or 11/26). There are only 6 spots available in this group.

Register Online

For more information, please contact Summer Zumbrock at szumbrock@mainetown.com or 224-257-4863.