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The Link Interview with Antonia Venita, Ph.D
- What is the story of how you were first introduced to
sandplay?
In 1988, I enrolled in a doctoral program. While doing my
literature review, I developed writer’s block. My topic was
Racial Identity Development in Biracial/Multiracial People in
the United States. The literature was quite negative. I made a
decision to enter into therapy to help me understand and work
through the feelings that were surfacing at full speed. I was
fortunate to find a Jungian Therapist who also offered sandplay
therapy. I found this process very intriguing because I truly
needed a modality of therapy that was non-verbal, as I did not
have the words to describe what I was feeling. I remember the
therapist describing the journey of sandplay, and the benefits I
might receive from engaging in it. I was truly amazed about what
I was creating with the figurines in the sand. The majority of
my trays seemed to have a theme of fragmentation. I would place
people in different parts of the sandtray, with no seemingly
connection. However, what I came to realize that those people in
the sandtray represented me – the fragmented or cut off parts
within myself. I am of multiracial heritages, and did not
realize that I was cut off from those racial and cultural
identities (Cuban, Blackfoot Native, French/Irish and Choctaw
Native). Through this journey, I was able to integrate these
identities on a more conscious level by acknowledging and
embracing all my racial and cultural heritages.
- Currently, what symbol holds most interest for you and
what about that symbol draws you? Do you have it in your
collection? Did you make it/were you presented with it/how did
you find it?
Symbols that hold most interest for me are: Quan Yin, (Goddess
of Compassion), figurines of people from different racial and
cultural groups, Senor Fidel Castro and Chinese pagodas. I am
drawn to Quan Yin because it is a reminder to have compassion
for myself and others, but especially for myself. The figurines
of people from different racial and cultural groups support my
integration of my multiracial/multicultural heritages. I was
particularly drawn also to Senor Fidel Castro, who represents
change and the courage to fight for what one believes in. The
Chinese Pagodas symbolize my spiritual self – I practice
Buddhism in my daily life. I have all these symbols in my
collection. I found the Fidel Castro figurine while in Cuba, as
I was delivering a presentation on Sandtray Therapy. I was given
several Chinese Pagodas for my collection, and I located a store
that carried people from different racial and cultural
backgrounds.
- Is there a favorite Sandplay story from a client session,
conference or workshop that illustrates how you work in sand or
what especially draws you to Sandplay? Yes, I had a client
who at the time was 7 years old. His parent had informed me they
had concerns about his behavior both at school and at home. They
described his behavior as “anxious”. I gathered as much
information about this child as I could before I actually worked
with him. During the course of my interviews with his parents,
they informed me they were planning to divorce, but had not told
their son. I was shocked and surprised that these parents were
in the process of divorcing and had not spoken with their son
about the changes that would take place in his life. It was
amazing what the boy did in the sand when I met with him. In the
tray, the little boy placed two houses. One house was placed at
one end of the sandtray and the other house was placed at the
other end. In the middle of the tray, he placed a bridge, with
Fidel Castro standing on top of the bridge. Again, I was amazed
as how this little boy somehow knew on an unconscious level that
a major change was happening in his life. Just to be sure, I
checked with his parents again to see if perhaps their son could
have overheard any conversations between them. They stated he
had not. Nor did any of their relatives known about their
decision to divorce. I explained to the parents that their son’s
anxiety would be probably subside if they spoke with him about
their plans and reassured him of their love in an
age-appropriate way of course. I continued to work with him in
sandplay. For the most part he would include Senor Fidel Castro.
I asked his parents if they ever talked about Senor Castro. They
stated they had not, as they did not know much information about
him. As I continued to work with this very intuitive child, his
behavior began to change at school and home. When the parents
did tell him about their impending divorce, he said, “I know”.
This was a powerful experience for me. This work continues to
validate the power of the unconscious and power of symbols to
tap into the unconscious.
- Is there a teacher, presenter or therapist who influenced
your perspective or work in Sandplay who you’d like to mention?
In what way did this person influence your journey?
I would first like to mention Dr. Nancy Haugen, who was
extremely instrumental in introducing me to the world of
sandplay and Jungian therapy. Tessa Marie Capitolo has been an
inspiration for me in terms of addressing racial issues within
the context of sandplay therapy. And last but not least, Marilee
James King, who utilizes sandplay therapy and EMDR. I also thank
all the presenters from all the Sandplay Conferences I have
attended for the valuable wealth of knowledge they passed on to
me.
- Tell us about your current therapeutic work interests?
In my private practice, I use sandplay therapy with
children, adolescents, couples, families and groups. I also
provide clinical supervision to interns. I have presented on
Sandplay Therapy in Cuba, China and Jamaica. I have been a
conference presenter at the California Learning Disabilities
Association on the use of sandplay therapy with children who
have been diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD,
etc., as well as presenting at the M.I.N.D. Institute in
Sacramento. I work with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
populations. I have taught at graduate students in the
Counseling Department at Sonoma State University, and John F.
Kennedy University. I am the Director and Founder of Integrative
Psychotherapeutic Services, Inc., a consultation/psychotherapy
organization dedicated to providing consultation, supervision,
seminars, trainings and psychotherapeutic services locally,
nationally and internationally.
- Do you belong to a regional or consultation group? What’s
that been like?
In the past, I belonged to a consultation group that focused
primarily on sandplay therapy. I found the group to be very
rewarding and felt a lot of support regarding my cases. I plan
to join a consultation group again.
- What STA/ISST conference(s) workshops have you liked the
best and why?
The two conferences that stand out in my mind, were the ones
in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Monterey, CA. The presenters were
very knowledgeable as always. I came away with a new perspective
on my work. Also, the locations of these workshops contributed
to my overall enjoyment.
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