Nelson, Barbara B. REDISCOVERY OF THE GOLDEN CHILD IN SANDPLAY

Nelson, Barbara B
REDISCOVERY OF THE GOLDEN CHILD IN SANDPLAY

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 6, Number 1, 1997

KEY WORDS: golden, child, sandplay therapy, symbol, clinical example, mid-life, negative mother, illness, life threatening, mortality, symbol, mid-life, depression, anxiety, identity, women, adult, female,clinical example.

ABSTRACT: A significant question of mid-life for women and men is the question, “who am I , really?” In this article four women, ages 54, 55, 51, 54, rediscovered the creative energy of the child motif by creating sandtrays When they were able to connect with symbols for the child-energy—a brave little redheaded girl, a protective angel-child, a mermaid familiar with the depths and an adventurous Alice-in -Wonderland-these women were better prepared to face the challenges of answering the question of identity that allows women and men to move closer to individuation.