The Process of Sandplay Therapy in a Delinquent Girl at a Children’s Home

Abstract

This paper is a case study of the psychotherapy process for an adolescent girl living at a children’s home. She had been abused by her mother and exhibited maladaptive problems such as delinquent and pre-delinquent behavior. Support was proving difficult in this case, but the internal condition of the delinquent client was conveyed through her expressions in a sandbox she created. By inscribing the therapist’s name in the sandbox, the client was able to experience symbolic death and rebirth, followed by a newfound resolve for life thereafter. Sandplay therapy may have major therapeutic importance for children in institutions who were abused and later exhibit delinquency, as in the present case, and may be unable to express their conflict, except through maladaptive behavior. For this client, consensus regarding treatment was reached through consultation with a team based on observations made during sandplay. The outcome in this case contributes to our understanding of the potential of therapists in institutions.