Initial Trays

Presenter:  Jill Kaplan

Description:  It is commonly said that we see in the initial tray, or first two or three trays, the problem, the issues that are to be worked on, as well as the prognosis and solution. Margaret Lowenfeld used her “world technique” primarily as a means of assessment, in the initial and then in the final session with children, though apparently some children used sand during the course of their therapy. Dora Kalff’s development of sandplay as the primary modality built upon Lowenfeld’s work. Kay Bradway and Barbara McCoard delineated how to think about initial trays. These will be summarized and case material will be presented to illuminate these points.