2025 STA Spring Workshop – Erich Newmann’s Early Developmental Theory: Applications to Sandplay Therapy and Trauma Treatment

STA Spring Workshop

This two-day online training will apply Neumann’s early developmental theories to sandplay with children in Israel experiencing trauma due to war and instability.

CE’s – This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers – Hawai’i Chapter (Approval HI62792023-183) for up to 6 Social Work continuing education contact hour(s).

Description:  Erich Neumann’s early life developmental theories have informed sandplay practice since its inception. Through this lens, sandplay therapists have a way to recognize and track the development of the psyche and areas of developmental arrest. This live, online training offers a practical view of Neumann’s theories, and its applications for understanding sandplay scenes created by both children and adults, along with changes that occur over a sandplay process.  Participants will explore the structure and dynamics of the psyche–from nascent to the adult personality with a focus on early life development. This lens is important not only for young children, but for adults who have experienced early childhood trauma. Central to this theory is the nature of the archetypal mother/child relationship and how it impacts development and mental health symptoms. The instructors will illustrate concepts by presenting sandplay processes, including clinical cases of young Israeli children who are currently impacted by the trauma of war and instability in their country, along with an adult female with early childhood trauma.  Participants will assess stages of development within the therapeutic context and discuss treatment approaches to promote development. 

Learning Objectives:

 Describe the five stages of Neumann’s developmental theory.

1. Identify symbols that may be associated with each stage of development.
2. Identify three possible manifestations of the ego-Self axis in a sandplay scene, and describe its relationship to psychological health and development.
3. Assess ego strength of client according to the construction of the tray and use of miniatures.
4. Apply concepts to track psychological development in clinical cases of children and adults.
5. Develop individualized interventions to promote development.

Audience: Sandplay therapists, play therapists and other mental health professionals  interested in a post-graduate level training in the applications of archetypal developmental theory to treating early childhood trauma using sandplay therapy.  Also those clinicians interested in becoming a certified sandplay therapist, as this training is approved through STA/ISST.