Alexander von Gontard
Journal of Sandplay Therapy
Volume 19, Issue 2, 2010
Keywords
idiopathic toe-walking, idiopathic toe-gait, somatoform disorder, sandplay therapy, CBCL, symbol of the “stage.”, Jungian psychotherapy, instruments, ICD-10 diagnoses, Child Behavior Checklist, standardized sandtray assessment forms, comorbidity rate of disorders, Sandplay therapy, clinical example, girl, child, female, stasis and progression, symbol, symbolic enactment
Abstract
Idiopathic toe-walking can be diagnosed after excluding organic causes. The case of a sandplay therapy of an 11-year-old girl is presented after physiotherapy had failed. The toe-walking ceased almost completely and emotional symptoms were also reduced. The case shows: (1) that even disorders with a severe functional somatic incapacitation can be treated effectively with sandplay therapy; (2) that the effects can and should be documented; (3) that the symptoms can be understood in terms of stasis and progression; and (4) that the symbol of the “stage” allowed a symbolic enactment and observation in therapy before the next developmental steps could be taken. A clinical case example is included.
Suggested Citation
von Gontard, A. (2010). Idiopathic toe-gait: Stasis and progression through sandplay therapy. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.2010.19.2.110
