To apply, visit the “Applications” tab.

Registered Sandplay Therapist (STR)

To begin the registration process, download the STR Checklist and complete the online Application Form. Gather all required documentation as outlined in the Checklist and submit it to us. The application process may commence after completing requisite courses, personal Sandplay process, and supervision/consultation.

Important:

  • FIRST complete the application and pay the membership dues.

  • THEN complete the required assessments in any order you choose.

  • FINALLY, schedule your Case Review.

Requirements for STR Applicants:

  1. MAST Membership: STR applicants must be MAST members for at least one year before submitting their STR application.

  2. Education:
    Applicants must provide evidence of postgraduate education in mental health treatment (e.g., psychotherapy, counseling, art therapy, social work) at the Master’s and/or Doctoral level.
    Exception: In countries lacking these options, applicants may submit proof of university background, training in psychotherapy or related fields, and professional experience.

  3. License:
    Applicants must provide documentation regarding their professional license or certification as required in their locale.

  4. Sandplay Training Courses:
    Completion of the Association’s Core Curriculum totaling a minimum of 120 hours, or equivalent training from ISST Certified Teachers. Equivalency is evaluated case-by-case, with potential supplemental learning or experience required. Candidates trained outside this curriculum must pass the AST online Quiz on Sandplay Understanding (see the “Assessments” tab).

  5. Elective Courses:
    Completion of 10 hours of elective Sandplay courses taught by Registered Sandplay Therapist-Supervisors (STR-CT) or ISST Certified Teachers.

  6. Online Coursework:
    Successful completion of Dr. Turner’s online Sandplay curriculum (Introductory and Intermediate courses, Courses 101-203) available at www.barbaraturner.org under the “Online Courses” tab.
    Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate fluency in foundational Sandplay literature (Dora Kalff’s Sandplay, Estelle L. Weinrib’s Images of the Self, and H.G. Wells’ Floor Games) by passing associated AST online quizzes (see the “Assessments” tab).

  7. Understanding Sandplay Assessment:
    Candidates must complete the “Understanding Sandplay” Assessment to demonstrate clarity on Sandplay’s principles and therapeutic process. A $50 reader’s fee applies (see Payments page).

  8. Personal Sandplay Experience:
    A minimum of 11 Sandplay sessions with a Registered Sandplay Therapist (STR, STR-C, STR-CT) or an ISST Certified Therapist is required, in addition to 10 sessions completed as part of coursework. If prior training was not completed through an in-person AST Certified Core Curriculum, the total minimum personal Sandplay sessions must equal 21.

    The personal Sandplay experience is a critical component of development, intended to foster authentic and meaningful engagement with the process. It is recognized that therapeutic effectiveness cannot be quantified solely by session count.

    AST policy mandates a clear role separation: the process therapist must be distinct from consultants and teachers. Candidates are expected to engage at least two consultants, each providing a minimum of 10 sessions, to ensure diverse educational input. The process therapist cannot serve as a case consultant.

  9. Summary of Personal Process:
    A written summary by the candidate reflecting personal Sandplay experience, limited to 500 words or two pages.

  10. Consultation:
    A minimum of 50 hours of consultation with Registered Sandplay Therapist-Consultants (STR-C or STR-CT), including at least 10 hours of individual supervision; the remainder can be group or individual. Sessions must be distributed across two or more consultants for breadth. At least five group presentations (each 110 minutes) are required. The personal process therapist must not be the candidate’s teacher or consultant.

  11. Sandplay Case Review:
    A 1-hour case review session with an STR-C or STR-CT with whom the candidate has not previously worked. This is not a test but a demonstration of working knowledge of symbolism and psychic process through review of three sand trays (initial, middle, and final or current tray). Candidates must prepare a simple PowerPoint case presentation per provided instructions.

  12. Disposition to Sandplay Work:
    Candidates must attest in writing to understanding the profound responsibility of practicing Jungian Sandplay. They commit to practicing with reverence, humility, and compassion towards clients, colleagues, and themselves. If dysfunction or harmful influence by the power of Sandplay arises, candidates agree to seek immediate supervision or therapy. The Council of Mentors may require review and intervention, including suspension or termination of registration if non-compliant.

Additional Important Information:

  • STR membership application may begin only after completion of required courses, personal process, and supervision.

  • When applying, first submit the application and pay dues; complete assessments at your own pace; then schedule the case review.

  • STR, STR-C, and STR-CT members must engage in continuing education relevant to Sandplay, Jungian theory, and developmental psychology to maintain registration.

  • Academic contributions are expected from STR-CT registrants.

STR Renewal Requirements (Effective 2022):

To maintain professionalism, STR renewals must document:

  • A minimum of 10 continuing education hours in Sandplay or related Jungian theory and practice annually.

  • Six individual consultations per year with AST STR-C, STR-CT, or ISST Certified Teachers, provided the STR-CT is actively seeing clients.

For detailed course resources and further information, please see the respective tabs and pages on our website.

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Registered Sandplay Therapist – Consultant (STR-C)

  1. Experience as a Registered Sandplay Therapist:
    Candidates must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Registered Sandplay Therapist (STR).

  2. Mentored Consultation Training:
    STR-C candidates are required to secure mentoring and training from a current Registered Sandplay Therapist-Consultant Teacher (STR-CT). This mentorship includes working with groups and individual clients under the guidance of the mentor.

    During this training, the candidate begins as an assistant consultant and follows all recommendations from the STR-CT mentor to develop skills in consultation, group facilitation, and empowering group members.

    At the mentor’s discretion, the candidate may take on the role of lead consultant in one or more group and individual consultations. This continues until the STR-CT mentor determines that the candidate is qualified for independent work as an STR-CT.

    Once prepared and with mentor approval, the candidate will conduct group and individual consultation sessions with a different STR-CT with whom they have no prior relationship. This second STR-CT will assess the candidate’s readiness for independent practice or suggest further learning.

  3. Working Understanding of Jungian Personality Theory:
    Candidates must demonstrate a working knowledge of Jungian personality theory as it applies to the Sandplay process. This can be fulfilled by completing Level III online coursework or by equivalent study.

    Relevant courses are available at www.barbaraturner.org, which offers a comprehensive online curriculum in Jungian personality theory.

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Registered Sandplay Therapist – Consultant Teacher (STR-CT)

RST-C Membership Requirement:
To qualify as a Sandplay Therapist Consultant Teacher, candidates must have held Registered Sandplay Therapist-Consultant (RST-C) status for a minimum of two (2) years.

Qualification Criteria:

  1. Academic Contributions:
    The candidate must have made scholarly contributions to the field of Sandplay therapy. This includes published articles in recognized Sandplay journals, book chapters, or other relevant professional publications.

  2. Pedagogy in Sandplay Training:
    Candidates are required to complete 10 hours of pedagogy courses specifically focused on Sandplay therapy, taught by an STR-CT. These courses address Sandplay education, managing process-related participant transformations, and other teaching-specific challenges.

  3. Mentored Teaching with an STR-CT:
    Candidates must work under the guidance of a Teaching Mentor in multiple training sessions. This involves gaining experience in content delivery, participant engagement, managing transformative experiences, and other instructional skills.

    When the mentor considers the candidate ready, the candidate will prepare and teach two case presentations, outlining the process of change in each case. These sessions should integrate all prior learning and Jungian personality theory. Participant evaluations must be collected and reviewed with the mentor, who provides a written summary of the teaching performance and feedback.

  4. Mentored Teaching of Original Curriculum:
    Candidates will develop and teach a full-day Sandplay curriculum of their own design, under mentor supervision. Participant evaluations are gathered and reviewed with the mentor, who will provide a written summary and feedback.

  5. Academic Contributions to Sandplay:
    Candidates must fulfill at least one of the following:
    A. Write and publish a Sandplay case study in a recognized journal or on the Association’s educational website.
    B. Write and publish a theoretical paper on a Sandplay topic, supported by case vignettes, in a journal or on the Association’s educational website.
    C. Author and publish a book presenting new insights or developments in Sandplay therapy.
    D. Conduct original research in Sandplay therapy and publish in a recognized professional outlet.

  6. Networking with International Colleagues:
    Candidates are expected to attend one or more international Sandplay Therapy conferences and present their work when possible, fostering professional development and collaboration.

Additional Information:

  • STR-CT members may teach Sandplay therapy using a curriculum based on the Association’s Core Curriculum approved by the Council of Mentors or a designated body.

  • They may also teach a Core Curriculum developed independently by themselves and approved by the Council of Wisdom.

  • STR-CT members may teach Dr. Turner’s original Core Curriculum under separate agreement.

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Annual Registration Renewals

For MAST, STR, STR-C & STR-CT

Annual registration and membership renewals require the following:

  • MAST: Completion of the renewal application and payment of annual dues.

  • STR, STR-C & STR-CT: Completion of renewal applications and payment of annual dues.

Additional Renewal Requirements for STR:

  • Personal Inventory Statement:
    Submit a brief reflective statement (maximum 500 words or two pages) addressing your relationship with the work, your learning experiences, challenges, and plans for the future.

  • Choose One of the Following:

    1. Volunteer Work in Sandplay:
      Demonstrate pro bono professional contributions such as community education, therapeutic services, charity work at agencies, presentations on Sandplay therapy for clinicians, or writing articles about Sandplay for health publications.

    2. Continued Education:
      Provide documentation of ongoing learning or research contributions related to Sandplay therapy. This may include reading and study enhancing Sandplay work, attending relevant workshops or courses, participating in research projects on Sandplay, or teaching Sandplay therapy as an STR-CT.

Note: STR-CT registrants are especially encouraged to make academic and research contributions as part of their renewal.

Renewal applications are due annually on the anniversary of your registration.

As a matter of corporate law, the terms “member” and “membership” are used in a generic sense to denote participants and affiliates.

Please visit the “Applications” tab on the website to submit your renewal.