Adams, Kate
RECONNECTING TO THE SOURCE: RECOVERING FROM SEXUAL MOLESTATION
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 16, Number 2, 2007
KEY WORDS: sexual molestation, trauma, dissociation, mirroring, Sandplay therapy, Kalsched, personal spirit, clinical example, boy, child, male, anger, outbursts, labile, school avoidant, relational field, therapeutic relationship.
ABSTRACT: This article explores the sandplay process of an eleven year old boy who had been sexually molested. Using the theoretical framework of Jungian analyst, Donald Kalsched, the author demonstrates how trauma caused the child to dissociate in order to protect his vulnerable “personal spirit”. Through the mirroring he received during his sandplay process, this boy was able to develop his resources, face the pain of his trauma, access deeper spiritual energies, and eventually heal.