Mitchell, Rie Rogers and Friedman, Harriet S. SANDPLAY: OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST SIXTY YEARS

Mitchell, Rie Rogers and Friedman, Harriet S.
SANDPLAY: OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST SIXTY YEARS

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 1, Number 2, 1991

KEY WORDS: sandplay, history, Dora Kalff, Lowenfeld, World Technique, H.G. Wells, Floor Games, Buhler, Bolgar, Fischer, Bowyer, Carl Jung, Emma Jung, free and protected space, cross-cultural method, sandplay therapy.

ABSTRACT: This article provides an overview of the personalities and events that influenced the development of the sand tray technique. Included are descriptions of the contributions of Margaret Lowenfeld, H.G. Wells, Erik Erikson, Gerdhild von Staab, Lois Barclay Murphy, Charlotte Buhler, Hedda Bolgar, Liselotte Fischer, Ruth Bowyer Pickford, and Dora Kalff. Since the time of these early pioneers, sandplay has become a truly cross-cultural method that is practiced worldwide. For Sandplay to continue to grow and move in meaningful new directions, it is important that those using this technique have a broad and deep understanding of its rich and varied history. An extensive bibliography of early work is included in this article.