I’m delighted to share that I am now a Registered SandStory Therapist, a qualification that has added new depth and meaning to the way I work with children, adolescents, and adults in both counselling and supervision here in Cambridge.

SandStory Therapy®, developed by Lara Kasza, is a gentle and powerful form of creative counselling that uses sand, water, a tray, and symbols to help clients express what can be hard to put into words. It’s a way of exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences through touch, image, and story, giving shape to what might otherwise stay hidden.

What Is SandStory Therapy?

Rooted in the classic traditions of sandtray and play therapy (inspired by pioneers such as Dr Margaret Lowenfeld and Dora Kalff), SandStory Therapy® offers a modern, structured framework for creative and sensory expression.

The process follows five stages, Grounding, Expressing, Exploring, Integrating, and Ending, each supporting the client’s natural rhythm. Clients begin by connecting with the sand, selecting figures or symbols that 'speak' to them, and building a scene that captures an aspect of their story. The result is a non-verbal narrative that reveals emotion, experience, and meaning in symbolic form.

As a Registered SandStory Therapist in Cambridge, I use this approach within my wider integrative counselling practice, helping children and adolescents feel safe to explore at their own pace.

Why I Love Using SandStory in Child and Adolescent Counselling

Children and young people don’t always have the words for what they feel but their hands, imagination, and play often do. SandStory Therapy® fits perfectly with my belief that children communicate best through creativity rather than direct questioning.

The sand offers a tactile and regulating experience that helps calm the nervous system. Many children become naturally absorbed, expressing complex feelings without needing to talk them through. Teenagers, too, often find it easier to explore emotions symbolically rather than verbally, creating a scene that becomes a bridge between their inner and outer worlds.

How SandStory Therapy Supports Children and Teens

SandStory Therapy can be especially helpful for young people who:
- Struggle with anxiety, grief, or emotional overwhelm
- Find it difficult to verbalise experiences or feelings
- Are neurodivergent and respond well to sensory and visual media
- Need time and control over how they express themselves
- Benefit from creative counselling approaches that feel less clinical

This form of non-verbal therapy allows children to build self-understanding and confidence. The symbols they choose and the stories they build help them process life events and emotions safely, while fostering resilience and emotional literacy.

SandStory in Supervision

As a Clinical Supervisor, I also use SandStory Therapy in my work with therapists. It offers a creative way to externalise client dynamics, relationships, or emotional processes, often revealing insights that words alone might not. It can help practitioners visualise the 'story beneath the story,' supporting reflective and embodied supervision.

An Integrative, Creative Approach

Becoming a Registered SandStory Therapist in the UK has deepened my integrative practice and reaffirmed my belief that creativity is central to healing. Whether through sand, art, play, or story, creative counselling allows both children and adults to make sense of their experiences in ways that feel authentic and safe.

Ready to Explore SandStory Therapy?

If you think your child or teenager might benefit from SandStory Therapy in Cambridge, or you’d like to know more about my creative counselling for children and young people, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.counsellingwithmadeleine.co.uk to learn more or arrange an initial conversation.

FAQs about SandStory Therapy

Is SandStory Therapy suitable for teenagers?
Yes. Teenagers often find it easier to explore feelings visually rather than verbally. SandStory helps them process anxiety, relationships, or identity in a creative, non-confrontational way.

How quickly does it help?
Every child is different, but many begin to feel calmer and more self-aware within a few sessions. SandStory works gently and builds insight over time.

Do parents join the sessions?
Sessions are held one-to-one with the child or adolescent, though regular parent reviews help support progress and connection at home.