Lowenfeld/Kalff

Transpersonal Sandplay Therapy Center

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Title: Lowenfeld and Kalff: Two Theories of Sandplay by Alison Van Dyk

Level: Basic to Intermediate

Overview: This presentation will outline the contributions of Lowenfeld and Kalff to Sandplay in both theory and as illustrated in the case of an early adolescent client. Slides of Sandtray sessions, Drawings and Mosaic Tests will demonstrate this form of therapy.

Abstract: Both Lowenfeld and Kalff were pioneers of the Sandplay Process. Lowenfeld was the originator of this method and Kalff developed it within a Jungian context. Each brought important theoretical information to bear on their understanding of this approach to Psychotherapy in general and Child Psychotherapy in particular. An integration of both of these theories will include: Lowenfeld’s "Clusters" and "Pre-Verbal Thinking" in the context of her " Child-Centered Therapy". This will be discussed in relation to Kalff’s "Free and Protected Space", her Jungian theoretical framework, especially the emergence of the "Self" in sand tray material, and her use of Eric Neumann’s "Stages of Development". Each of these concepts provide an important insight into the understanding of the Sandplay process of children and therefore needs to be looked at as a whole perspective. This case has been selected to illustrate the above theories and to demonstrate the use of non-verbal techniques in assessment and treatment of an early adolescent male client. It gives an overview of what to expect in the Sandplay of children and describes key stages of the therapeutic process. It is the objective of this workshop to show how both theorists have left a legacy of knowledge which is complimentary and which follows certain guidelines for understanding the use of Sandplay with children. Drawings and the Lowenfeld Mosaic Test will also be included to illustrate the range of non-verbal techniques available to interested Therapists, Social Workers and School Psychologists.

Objectives: Participants will be introduced to Sandplay using two important theoretical frameworks, namely Lowenfeld and Kalff. This workshop will illustrate each theory in the context of an early adolescent client’s Drawings, Sandplay process and Mosaics. It will cover the therapeutic stages of a Sandplay process and show how this client’s traumatic reaction to the death of a parent and his resulting regressed and antisocial behavior was assessed and treated using these non-verbal techniques.