Redemption of the Shattered, a Teenager's Healing Journey Through Sandtray Therapy

Book Review by Ronald Chen

Sandtray-Worldplay therapy is an interesting form of psychotherapy utilizing a sandtray and figurines to glance at the inner world of "patients." Here, the patient takes an active role in creating images or patterns in the sandtray, in describing the images to the therapist, and in interpreting the meaning of the images along with the therapist. The sandplay makes the inner world of patients tangible.

There are some good resources to learn more about Sandtray therapy. The website below contains good basic information as well as recommended further readings on the subject:

http://westhartfordcounselingcenter.com/sandtray.html

I came across a book called Redemption of the Shattered, a Teenager's Healing Journey Through Sandtray Therapy. Unlike other books that describe what Sandtray therapy is, this book is written by a patient describing his experience working through 28 sandtrays. The patient, "Rob," lost his father as a teenager - but not until more than 20 years later was he actually able to face the trauma, to fully experience and understand the impact of his father's death. In each chapter, the author starts with a picture of the sandtray he created, goes on to tell the metaphoric story behind the scene, and ends with lessons learned. Through 24 chapters, the reader has an incredible opportunity to peek at the "journey" the patient goes through in dealing with issues of death of a loved one. It is as if we are behind the glass window in the adjacent room, watching each Sandtray therapy session in person.

Immediately, in the first chapter, the author takes us back to the day of the funeral - more than 20 years ago. Rob describes the way he remembered the Rabbi - someone who made him feel shameful. "Did your father have a Jewish name," the Rabbi asked? Rob introduces us a witch, an important figure who represents Guilt throughout the book. "You caused your father's death," the witch says to Rob. This is where Rob starts his healing process, by facing the day of the funeral. The author will take us back to his father's graveside again and again throughout this book - and we will see his gradual transformation, from facing his father's death to eventually letting it go.

I was initially troubled by the author's grammar and writing style - but the reader must get past that to fully experience Rob's journey. If you are curious about Sandtray therapy and about Redemption, I would suggest going to the author's website to read this book's Preface and first chapter. If you find yourself relating to Rob, the Rabbi, the Wicked Witch, the Gravedigger, and the Grim Reaper - then this book is for you.

http://www.boblivingstone.com/main.htm (click on preview).

Ronald Chen, Harvard Medical School III
Co-coordinator, DDIG

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