A Case Study of Sandplay Therapy for an Adolescent Boy with Emotional Difficulties

정서문제로 의뢰된 청소년의 모래놀이치료 사례연구

Objectives: This study explored the sandplay therapy case of a middle school boy with emotional difficulties. The goal of the therapy was to lessen his emotional difficulties by providing a free and protected space through sandplay therapy. Thirty-three therapy sessions were held. The client showed the scene of empty buildings in the shape of a mandala and a scene of regression in the initial phase of therapy (1-2, A sense of emptiness and regression). In the intermediate phase of therapy (3-27, Struggle), he showed fierce wars and made a slapping sound with water and sand and exhibited the ending of wars. In the final phase of therapy (28-33, The active daily life), he showed a motorcycle race, strong masculinity and village scenes. During the therapy, archetypal patterns, such as regression to the archetypal mother and wars appeared. Sandplay therapy, in a free and protected space, lessened the emotional difficulties of the client. Thus, this study is a demonstration of the effectiveness of sandplay therapy.