Sandtray therapy is an non-verbal therapeutic approach led by the therapist or client, using sandtray and miniatures as means of communication.

Sandtray therapy is the combination of play and art therapy. Through metaphors, people describe their inner troubles. Sandtray therapy was developed by Margaret Lowenfeld and Dora Kalff based on Carl Jung's psychological approach. Many different techniques of various therapeutic approaches can be applied in the sandtray as well.

Sandtray therapy includes a blue sandtray, sand, water and various miniature figures representing the inner world of the human being to create a story. With these figures, the client is asked to create a world on the sand. Through metaphor, the client allows the reflection of his own inner world. It provides the opportunity to describe him/herself in a non-verbal way as much as verbally possible. It offers the opportunity to solve confusions, remove obstacles in  life and achieve self-acceptance. It helps the person to realize the past and present difficulties that cannot be revealed in life. It allows the body to process the emotions it stores through symbols from implicit memory.

The tray is limited; as a safe and protected area, it is for the client to discover memories and experiences that he/she has difficulty speaking and is uncomfortable with. The inside of the tray is blue, which is for giving a relaxing and refreshing feeling like the sky and the sea.

The reason for using sand is that it both leaves a good feeling in our body and creates space to give us the shape we want. You can draw something on it, create waves, shapes or just touch it. It can carry all its figures on it."The bond we establish with the sand reminds us of the bond we establish with the spirit within us." says Homeyer. In therapy, it is necessary to use real sand that occurs naturally. There are usually two trays in the therapy room, wet and dry sand.

The world or scene created through the figures reflects the inner world of the client. When the consultant completes the sandtray, the therapist and the client talk about what they have observed. After the consultant's conversation, he/she can make changes on the tray if he/she wishes. Many situations such as which theme the consultant prefers, which themes he/she avoids, the way he/she puts the miniatures on the tray, whether the tray is empty or full are made sense in the therapy.

Although this form of therapy is generally used for children, it is also reported to be beneficial for adolescents and adults.

The sandtray can be guided (the therapist may ask the client to create a world on the tray over a specific topic) or non-directed (the client creates his/her own world).

Sandtray therapy can be worked with individuals who have experienced traumatic events, individuals with many problems such as grief and loss, aggression, social communication difficulties, low self-confidence, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit.

Play therapy can also be used to help children develop healthily. Games can help children improve their social skills, cope with stress and increase their self-confidence. Games can also help children develop their imagination and unleash their creativity.

Play therapy can help children cope with their difficulties. For example, if a child is feeling sad and worried about a separation in their family, a play therapist can support that child through games. The child can express what he feels through games and in this way can alleviate his emotional load.

Play therapy can also help children change their behavior. For example, if a child is exhibiting aggressive behavior, the play therapist may use games to change these behaviors. Through games, the child can learn to exhibit different behaviors and in this way can control their aggressive behavior.

Play therapy can help children better understand themselves. Children can express themselves through games and in this way they can better understand themselves. Play therapy can help children get to know themselves better and build a better relationship with themselves.

Play therapy can help children be emotionally supported and express themselves in a safe environment. Play therapy provides a safe environment for children to express their feelings, and by this means, children are supported emotionally.

Play therapy can also be used for adults. Play therapy for adults can be used to treat a variety of psychological disorders. For example, play therapy can be used to treat disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Games can also help adults express their emotions and cope with stress.

Play therapy can be applied as individual or group therapy. In individual therapy, the play therapist creates a special treatment plan for the emotional needs of the individual and helps the individual to express their feelings through games. In group therapy, a group of people interact and support each other through games.

Play therapy can be applied using different play materials. For example, materials such as crayons, clay, paper, sand and lego can be used. The play therapist selects the appropriate materials according to the needs of the individual and applies the games through these materials.

Play therapy is considered an effective treatment method. Research shows that play therapy is effective in meeting the emotional needs of children and adults. Play therapy can also be effective when used in conjunction with other treatment modalities.