APRIL 2026 • NOW ENROLLING
Certificate in Integrative Sand Tray Stories
Class Based Training at The Greenane Centre
Transformative Learning Through Sand Tray Therapy Training
Class Based Training at The Greenane Centre
Integrative Sand Tray Stories is a projective, dynamic, symbolic and sensory model of psychotherapy. Through utilising a sand tray, sand, water and symbols, the client is enabled to bypass their thinking, logical and analytical brain, facilitating the safe unfolding of their unconscious conflicts.
The sand tray story therapist’s attunement and unconditional acceptance of the client’s process enables the development of the client’s sense of agency and psychological healing.
Our IACP CPD approved and recognised Certificate in Integrative Sand Tray Stories is a highly experiential, hands-on, in-person sand tray therapy training at The Greenane Centre in Tipperary. The therapy training aims to develop and broaden participant’s theoretical knowledge and technical skills ensuring the safe, ethical and effective utilisation of Integrative Sand Tray Stories with adolescent and adult clients.
In order to ensure the integrity of this programme a strong emphasis is placed on participant engagement and immersion in their own Sand Tray Stories.
Learning Outcomes
This course prepares therapists to fully understand, witness and respond to clients as they connect with, express and process their archetypal, symbolic and intrapersonal worlds through the creation of their Sand Tray Stories.
Students Will:
- Be introduced to the history and development of Sand Tray and Sand Play therapy with a focus on the work of Margaret Lowenfeld’s World Technique and Dora Kalff‘s Sand Play.
- Gain insight into Jungian Psychology by exploring the process of individuation and the role of the Self in individuation, the theory of archetypes and the collective unconscious.
- Develop a deep understanding of symbols and the power of symbolic expression to enable the safe unfolding and exploration of the client’s subconscious conflicts.
- Develop a deep understanding of sand tray therapy and appreciation for the theory and practices underpinning Integrative Sand Tray Stories.
- Experience the powerful and empowering dynamics of Sand Tray Stories through the creation, exploration and processing of their own Sand Tray Stories.
Integrative Sand Tray Stories
Curriculum and Timetable
April 2026 – December 2026
Class times: 10am – 4pm
All classes are in The Greenane Centre, Tipperary. E34 CX13
Facilitator: Liz Quish
Curriculum
- History and Development of Sand Tray and Sand Play Therapy
- Jungian Principles underpinning Sand Tray Stories
- Key Elements of Integrative Sand Tray Stories
- Therapeutic Benefits of Integrative Sand Tray Stories
- Role of The Sand Tray Story Therapist
- Sand Tray Story Tools and Equipment
- Sand Tray Story Symbols and Miniatures
- Organising Sand Tray Story Symbols and Miniatures
- Sand Tray Story Process
- Directive and Non-Directive Sand Tray Stories
- Stages and Phases in Sand Tray Stories
- Sand Tray Stories Quadrants
- Understanding Sand Tray Story Themes
- Processing Sand Tray Stories Scenes
- Recording and Documenting Sand Tray Story Sessions
Timetable
Day 1 – Wednesday 8th April 2026
Day 2 – Wednesday 6th May 2026
Day 3 – Friday 29th May 2026
Day 4 – Friday 26th June 2026
Day 5 – Wednesday 29th July 2026
Day 6 – Friday 28th August 2026
Day 7 – Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Day 8 – Wednesday 21st October 2026
Day 9 – Wednesday 25th November 2026
Day 10 – Wednesday 16th December 2026
Programme Fee & Registration
Full Fee: €2,000
€500 Deposit on registration
€250 monthly for 6 months, automatically debited to payment card.
Programme Fees Includes:
- Integrative Sand Tray Stories Training Manual
- Sand Tray
- Sand
- Sand Tray Tools
- 30 Symbols/ Miniatures
Entry Requirement
This CPD Diploma is open to practitioners and therapists who have successfully completed:
- A Degree or Diploma in Counselling, Psychotherapy, Play, Drama or Art Therapy.
Maximum 14 participants, ensuring an intimate, reflective and engaging experential learning experience.
Teaching Method
This expressive sand tray training programme will be facilitated through a tutor-led, class-based format:
- 10 days in-person training at The Greenane Centre, Tipperary Town, E34 CX13
- Classes: 10 am to 4 pm
- One hour, One to One, Online Integrative Sand Tray Stories MentorVision
Assessment
- 2 Reflective Learning Journals (1500 words each)
Terms & Conditions:
Please read our Terms and Conditions document carefully. You will be required to indicate your consent on the programme application form.
Testimonials
Previous Participant Feedback
This was a wonderful course which I thoroughly enjoyed. I felt held by Greenane at all times with support always available if and when needed. The course was informative and I have learned so much from my participation. Both Patricia and Marian were possessed excellent skills in both their presentation skills and in the information provided. I would highly recommend the course to fellow colleagues.
The Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy training was highly valuable, offering a clear blend of theory, neuroscience, and practical interventions. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on safety, regulation, Polyvagal and the three-phase trauma model, alongside creative interventions such as expressive arts, which provided safe ways to process trauma. The supportive group environment also made the experience especially enriching, creating a safe space for sharing, reflection, and mutual learning. Overall, the training was engaging, comprehensive, and left me with both practical tools and a stronger trauma-informed lens to bring into my work.
This course has provided me with a wonderful training opportunity with top class tutors. It has given me the knowledge and the confidence to work with trauma clients in a manner that is safe for the client. The course provides both professional and personal development. The Greenane Centre provides a very easy to use website which enhances the learning experience. Support is made available throughout the course to all participants. I whole heartedly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in trauma work.
The course was brilliant. The admin side was well looked after. I found it very beneficial to have everything in the client portal, so handy and well organised. Patricia was just unbelievable in the content material, delivery and explaining stuff really really well. I was most pleased that the whole course was online and scheduled for reasonable times during the evenings and weekends. That made a huge difference for me in comparison to other courses that are out there.
I found the Diploma in Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy to be a valuable and enriching experience overall. The modules delivered by Patricia Allen-Garrett were particularly engaging – well-structured, grounded in strong clinical knowledge, and clearly informed by deep experience. Her facilitation brought the material to life in a way that felt both accessible and professionally relevant. I came away from those sessions feeling more confident in applying trauma-informed principles to my client work.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I learned so much from the lecturers, their presentations, the material shared, the experiential learning and also from the group. I have attended several courses, CPD etc. and whilst I have always learned something new, I have always left feeling disappointed. Not this time! I have gained awareness, knowledge and skills on this course, all of which will benefit me personally and professionally. I have gained confidence in my practice and feel motivated and inspired by this training. I am very grateful for this experience and will be recommending this course. Thank you!”
– Emma L. | Psychotherapist
“Having a clear framework to guide my work with clients who present with trauma has given me such confidence. I now feel I can work in a safe and relational manner without the fear of re-traumatising.”
– Catherine O’N | IACP Accredited Psychotherapist
“A fantastic programme. Will definitely be recommending. Content so relevant to my work as a counsellor. Polyvagal Theory now makes sense!”
– Donna G. | IACP Accredited Psychotherapist
“This programme has been amazing from start to finish. I have learned so much from this training and now feel fully equipped to support clients who present with trauma histories.”
– Mary C. | Psychotherapist
Have Additional Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries. We will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.