Sand Therapy Prompts & Directives Therapists Use in Different Applications

New ideas to use for specific applications and clients

Clients may have a hard time finding the right words to explain what they're feeling. Other times, they may know exactly what's on their mind but aren't quite ready to talk about it.

That's where sand therapy can offer another way to explore their experiences. Through sand play, clients can create patterns or shapes and use symbolism, allowing a proxy for self expression. Clients can create scenes that represent something meaningful to them. Some approaches use objects while others focus on the sand itself.

As a therapist, you know every client approaches these activities differently. Some appreciate having a little direction, others prefer exploring the materials on their own.

Whether you've been using sand tray therapy for years or are just beginning to explore it, having a few prompts ready can be helpful. Let's explore eight sand tray therapy prompts you can adapt for different clients and situations.

These activities can be adapted to different sand-based approaches, although formal sand tray therapy requires appropriate training.

Prompts to Use for Building Rapport & Confidence

Introducing sand play to a new client doesn't have to involve a complicated activity. A simple invitation is often enough to help someone become familiar with the materials.

This is true for adults who may feel unsure about working with sand or expressing themselves through creative activities.

Prompt 1: Create a Place Where You Feel Comfortable

Invite your client to create a place where they feel comfortable using the sand and any available objects. It could be somewhere familiar, an imagined setting, or a combination of both.

Some clients might shape the sand into an entire landscape. Others may draw a simple pattern or arrange a few objects. Give them time to explore without feeling pressured to explain every decision.

Once they're finished, consider asking, "What do you like most about this place?" or "Is there anything you'd want to add?"

Try not to assume that certain shapes or arrangements represent safety or security. Let your client explain what their choices mean to them.

It's a great starting point for clients who are new to sand play, since they can decide how personal they want the activity to become.

Prompt 2: Create a Pattern That Represents You

Not everyone will feel comfortable creating an entire scene during their first session. For those clients, you can start with something smaller.

Invite them to create a pattern in the sand that represents something about themselves. They might draw lines with their fingers or create circles. Or they may use an object to leave different impressions.

There's no particular design they need to follow. Clients may enjoy experimenting with the sand before deciding what they'd like to create.

Once they've finished, ask what they notice about their pattern or why they chose it.

If they're comfortable continuing, invite them to add another shape or pattern that represents an important part of their life. This offers clients control over the activity while introducing them to different ways of working with sand.

Exploring Emotions & Internal Experiences

Even clients who are comfortable talking about their feelings can struggle to explain certain experiences.

Sand therapy activities give them something tangible to work with. Instead of relying entirely on conversation, they can use shapes, textures, and movement. They can have space to represent what they're experiencing.

Prompt 3: Show What Your Week Has Felt Like

Ask your client to create something in the sand showing how their week has felt, rather than everything that happened during it.

They might create overlapping patterns to represent competing responsibilities. Or perhaps they'll leave most of the sand untouched and focus on one small area.

Once they've finished, ask what stands out to them. You could say, "Which part of this feels most important today?"

This prompt can be useful when a client arrives feeling overwhelmed or isn't sure where to begin. It gives you both something to explore without requiring a detailed recap of their week.

Prompt 4: Give an Emotion a Shape or Place

Invite your client to pick an emotion they've been experiencing and represent it somewhere in the sand. They can shape the sand with their hands, draw patterns, or use available objects to create different impressions.

For example, someone might create a raised area, draw a boundary, or place a particular pattern away from everything else.

Instead of interpreting these choices for them, ask what the arrangement represents.

You might also ask whether they'd like to change anything about it. There's no need to encourage a more positive outcome. Sometimes, simply noticing what they'd like to keep or adjust can lead to a meaningful conversation.

Prompt 5: Create a Scene of What Feeling Supported Looks Like

Support looks different for everyone. Some clients immediately think of family or friends. Others may associate support with a particular place, activity, or personal resource.

Ask your client to create something in the sand that represents feeling supported.

They may build a stable structure or create connecting pathways. Or use patterns to represent people and experiences that matter to them.

Once they're finished, explore which parts feel most important. You might ask, "Is there anything here you'd like more of in your everyday life?"

For clients who struggle to identify support, this activity can also open a conversation about what's missing.

Navigating Life Changes & Relationships

Career decisions, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions can leave clients with plenty to think about.

Sand tray therapy for adults offers another way to explore these situations. Clients can use patterns, distance, and physical boundaries to represent their experiences.

Prompt 6: Show Where You Are and Where You'd Like to Be

Invite your client to create two areas in the sand. One represents where they are now, and the other represents where they'd like to be.

They might draw pathways between the two, create different textures, or use objects to mark each area.

Before jumping into possible solutions, ask what they notice about each space.

Questions like "What feels different between these two places?" or "Is there anything you'd want to bring with you?" can encourage reflection.

This prompt may be relevant for clients navigating career changes, relationship transitions, or other important life decisions.

Prompt 7: Map the Important People in Your Life

Ask your client to represent important people in their life using shapes, patterns, or objects arranged in the sand.

They can include family members, friends, coworkers, or anyone else who feels significant. For example, they might draw circles to represent different people and use lines or pathways to show how they connect.

Pay attention to how they describe the arrangement rather than making assumptions about where things are placed. Two shapes positioned far apart don't necessarily represent a distant relationship.

You might ask, "How did you decide where everyone belongs?" or "Would you change anything about this arrangement?"

Clients can also include people who are no longer present in their lives but remain important to them.

Prompt 8: Build a Scene of a Challenge You're Facing

Invite your client to represent a current challenge using the sand and any available objects.

They create a barrier and draw several intersecting paths. These tools can build a landscape representing different parts of the situation. There's no right way to approach it.

Once the scene is complete, ask how they experience what's happening. Questions like "Where do you see yourself in this scene?" or "What feels most difficult about this situation?" can help guide the conversation.

If appropriate, invite them to change one element. Then ask how that change affects their view of the scene.

The goal isn't to force a solution. It's to give clients another way to express what they're experiencing.

Finding the Right Sand Tray Therapy Prompts for Your Clients

The best sand tray therapy prompts are often the ones that give clients room to make the activity their own.

Some clients may respond well to a specific directive. Others may prefer exploring freely. You can also adapt these activities for children. Simplify the language and allow more opportunities for imaginative play.

If you're new to sand tray therapy, appropriate training and supervision can help you build confidence in using these techniques.

For therapists interested in incorporating extra sand-based sensory experiences, Olander Earthworks offers Wonderscapes. These tabletop zen garden alternatives feature Sand Spheres that create patterns as they roll through sand.

Sand Spheres can also be used in personal sand setups, existing zen gardens, or natural settings like beaches. While not specifically designed as therapy tools, they may be incorporated into appropriate activities at a therapist's discretion.

Over time, you'll discover which prompts work best for different clients. You'll see when it's better to let the sand play unfold naturally. The important thing is to stay curious, follow your client's lead, and give them room to explore at their own pace.