But Is It Kalffian?

Linda Cunningham, PhD, LMFT, CST-T

Abstract

New ideas in sandplay may be dismissed because they are considered “unKalffian.” Some sandplay therapists assume that expansions of Kalffian theory will strip it of its depth, of its spirituality, of the richness of its symbolic approach. Yet Kalffian theory has been expanding since its inception. The author attempts to distill the essence of Kalffian theory, and to examine theoretical expansions, some of which may be considered post-Kalffian. She encourages critical thinking about new ideas rather than dismissing them as “unKalffian” and concludes that we might evaluate new ideas by their grounding in Kalffian theory, their clinical effectiveness and their resonance within each clinician.

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