APPLICATION OF SANDPLAY THERAPY IN BRAIN-INJURED ELDERLY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 5, Number 1, 1995

Michiko Akimoto
Tokyo, Japan

KEYWORDS: Sandplay therapy, brain injury, elderly, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, therapeutic relationship.

ABSTRACT: In this article the author explores the use of sandplay in the treatment of persons in their 70s and 80s with different types of brain injuries. The author first presents and discusses the sandplay therapy of a woman with left-side paralysis and dementia caused by a cerebral hemorrhage. She was slightly confused and depressed when she began sandplay and expressed this as a flood. She worked for restoration and finally made a scene which reminded her of a family trip. Her last tray showed Momotaro (the Peach Boy) being born – a scene of celebration. The second patient whose work is shown in this article is that of a man suffering from cerebral infarction. Although the therapist at first was unable to establish rapport with this patient, he started to “plant flower” in the sand tray and conversation gradually increased. In the last tray before his discharge, he poured a lot of water into the box as if he were shedding tears. The author concludes that sandplay therapy is useful in the treatment of persons with severe brain injuries as it can help improve the person’s self-image. She also underscores the value of the therapeutic relationship.


IN JAPANESE

APPLICATION OF SANDPLAY THERAPY IN BRAIN-INJURED ELDERLY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 5, Number 1, 1995

Michiko Akimoto
Tokyo, Japan

キーワード:箱庭療法、脳損傷、高齢者、脳出血、脳梗塞、治療関係

抄録:この論文で著者は、さまざまなタイプの脳損傷を持つ70代から80代の人々の治療における箱庭療法の使用について探究している。著者はまず、脳出血による左半身麻痺と認知症の女性の箱庭療法を紹介して論じる。女性は箱庭療法を始めたとき、やや意識が混(桃太郎)が誕生する祝いの場面だった。2人目の患者は、脳梗塞を患った男性である。セラピストは最初、この患者とラポールを築くことができなかったが、彼は箱庭の砂箱に「花を植える」ようになり、会話も徐々に増えていった。退院前の最後の箱庭では、彼は涙を流すかのように箱に大量の水を注いだ。著者は、箱庭療法は患者の自己イメージの向上に役立つため、重度の脳損傷者の治療に有用であると結論付けている。彼女は治療関係の価値も強調している。