“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
                                                                                                               – Nelson Mandela

The Lighthouse Sand Play Therapy Technique

Mary Pat and Gretchen were first introduced to Sand Play in 2000, and found the process to be transformational both personally and professionally.  Since that time, they have studied the technique extensively through trainings and research (from both Jungian and Play Therapy frameworks), engaged in personal Sand Play process work and received extensive supervision in Sand Play Therapy.

After years of study, it became clear that there was limited access to professional Sand Play Training in the State of New Jersey, as well as a perception that formal Sand Play Therapy Training was too costly, required extensive travel and was too time consuming to pursue. Mary Pat and Gretchen felt that all clinicians should have the ability to access training in Sand Play so that this culturally sensitive, client-centered healing technique could be available to clients everywhere.

In 2005 Mary Pat and Gretchen created a comprehensive Sand Play Therapy Training Program with the mission of bringing Sand Play to clinicians and clients throughout the Tri-State area. These trainings are informed by Depth Psychology, Play Therapy (directive and non-directive), Developmental Process, Trauma Theory, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Trauma Sensitive Yoga.  This multifaceted approach to teaching Sand Play Therapy also stresses the need for experiential training in order to best develop practical skills.

In 2017, on one of her many trips to Costa Rica, Gretchen co-created Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy with her colleagues Debbie Draves Legg and Sally Nilsson.  This technique combines Equine Facilitated Learning with the Sand Play Therapy in order to offer a profound (and some say “life-changing”) level of healing.  Gretchen is now training professionals in Costa Rica in the Certificate in Sand Play Therapy Program and the popular Healing the Healers retreat that utilizes Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy to combat burn-out in professionals in the healing arts.  The Lighthouse Certificate in Sand Play Therapy training is the only Sand Play Program in Central America approved for Continuing Education by NBCC and the NASW-NJ CE Collaborative.

The extensive feedback we have received from clinicians who have received training from Lighthouse approved facilitators is that they have easily incorporated Sand Play into their existing therapeutic milieus.

Training in Sand Play

For professionals interested in learning Sand Play Therapy, we offer several levels of instruction, from beginner to advanced. Trainings at Lighthouse Counseling & Sand Play Training Center, LLC use small group experiential format (18 or fewer participants) and are hosted in an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable space. To deepen your Sand Play Therapy education, we also offer individual Sand Play Supervision. If your staff is unable to come to our Center, we offer off-site training at your facility. Please see below for the current training schedule.

Lighthouse Counseling & Sand Play Training Center, LLC offers the only Certificate In Sand Play Program in New Jersey that is approved for Continuing Education by both the NJ CE Collaborative and NBCC.  Additionally, Lighthouse offers the only Sand Play Training Certificate program in all of Central America.  Mary Pat and Gretchen are the co-owners and founders of the Center and are the creators of the Lighthouse Sand Play Training curriculum.

The Lighthouse Sand Play Training curriculum is now offered in three sites: Eatontown & Voorhees, New Jersey and La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

***If you are interested in a purely Jungian approach to training in Sand Play Therapy, we have heard good feedback about Barbara A. Turner, Ph.D. who is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas.***

Presenters

Mary Pat and Gretchen have trained over 2000 clinicians in Sand Play Therapy since 2005 (both nationally and internationally).  They both are graduates of The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice,  former adjunct professors in Graduate Level Social Work Programs (Gretchen at Monmouth University and Mary Pat at Rutgers University) and are Registered Clinical Supervisors with the State of New Jersey.   Mary Pat and Gretchen have had articles published about Sand Play Therapy and have undergone over 150 hours of hours of personal Sand Play Therapy Training, supervision and personal process work. Additionally, they had had over 150 hours in training in trauma and body-centered psychotherapy (including EMDR, Thought Field Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Trauma Sensitive Yoga and 60 hours of training with Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.).

Heather Koenigfest, LPC and Toni Zachos Kaplan (Eatontown facilitators) are graduates of the Certificate in Sand Play Training Program, and are seasoned clinicians and trainers. Julie Federas, LCSW and Kim Finnie, LCSW (Vorhees facilitators) are owners of Bridge to Balance psychotherapy center, graduates of the Certificate in Sand Play Training Program, and seasoned clinicians and trainers.

Three-Full Day Introduction to Sand Play Training Series

Presenters: Mary Pat McGeehin, LCSW and Gretchen Morgan, LCSW, Toni Zachos Kaplan, LCSW, Heather Koenigsfest, LPC, Kim Finnie, LCSW & Julie Federas, LCSW

This Series is a three-day, intensive exploration of  Sand Play. Clinicians will learn the theoretical background of Sand Play Therapy, including: Erikson’s Developmental Tasks as applied to Sand Play, basic Jungian concepts (psyche, self, ego, individuation, collective unconscious), stages of Sand Play Development (Kalff and Neumann), Play Therapy applications (directive and non-directive) and the basic tenets of Family Sand Play Therapy (with a special focus on Lois Carey’s work).

Participants will have an extensive, hand’s on experience of building their own Sandtray, facilitating the Sand Play Process for others (“holder” skills) and participating in experiential exercise with multiple participants in the Sandtray. Contact Heather for more information.

INTRO TRAINING STARTS AT 9:00AM EACH DAY IN OUR EATONTOWN, NJ OFFICE

COST $650 ($50 discount for Students)

EATONTOWN, NJ : October 21-23, 2018 Only 14 spots left!!

INTRO TRAINING TAUGHT BY GRETCHEN IN COSTA RICA:
October 28-31, 2018
ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT!
SEE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING PAGE FOR INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER.
DO NOT REGISTER USING THE LINK BELOW!

Intermediate Sand Play Therapy Training Series

Presenter: Gretchen Morgan, LCSW, Toni Zachos Kaplan, LCSW, Kim Finnie, LCSW & Julie Federas, LCSW

For those who have completed our three-part Introduction to Sand Play Therapy Series, we offer an Intermediate Level of Sand Play Therapy Training. The format is small group (4 to 8 participants) and highly experiential. Intermediate groups meet one time per month for three hours, and participants are required to make a 6-month commitment to study. Some topics that will be covered include: Complex Trauma, Defense Mechanisms, Resource Development, Somatics and Symbolism. All intermediate trainings are approved for CE by NJ CE Collaborative, APT and NBCC . Contact Heather for more information.

Cost in New Jersey $1050 – Fee may be divided into six (6) monthly payments of $175 each.

2018 Intermediate Trainings:

INTENSIVE TRAINING TAUGHT BY GRETCHEN IN COSTA RICA:

November 8-11, 2018
COST IS $1500 which includes lodging and food at Leaves and Lizards Retreat in Costa Rica

DO NOT USE REGISTRATION LINK BELOW – MUST BOOK DIRECTLY WITH DEBBIE AT LEAVES AND LIZARDS (www.leavesandlizardsretreat@gmail.com)

 

Advanced Sand Play Therapy Training Series

Presenter: Mary Pat McGeehin, LCSW, Gretchen Morgan, LCSW, Heather Koenigsfest, LPC, Kim Finnie, LCSW & Julie Federas, LCSW
For clinicians who are interested in a deeper level of training to enhance their Sand Play Therapy practice, we are pleased to offer an Advanced Level of Sand Play Training. Completion of Introductory and Intermediate Sand Play Training Series is required. The format is small group (4-8 participants) and highly experiential. Advanced groups meet one time per month for three hours, and participants are required to make a 17 month commitment to study.  All advanced trainings are approved for CE by NJ CE Collaborative, APT and NBCC. Contact Heather for more information.

Cost in NJ:

Female Archetypes $1750– Fee may be divided into ten (10) monthly payments of $175
Male Archetypes $1225 – Fee may be divided into seven (7) monthly payments of $175

Advanced Trainings:

Female Archetypes –

Check back in October, 2018 for NJ Dates

Male Archetypes –

Check back in October, 2018 for NJ dates.

Training in Costa Rica with Gretchen – ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT!:

Individual Sand Play Process/Analysis

Mary Pat and Gretchen are accepting appointments for clinicians who are interested in completing an individual Sand Play Process. Mary Pat and Gretchen bring over 20 years of clinical experience and over 20 years of Sand Play study to the therapeutic dynamic. Contact Mary Pat McGeehin or Gretchen Morgan for more information.

***Continuing Education is not available for process work***

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Clinical Supervision

All facilitators are Registered Clinical Supervisors for the State of New Jersey and offer private supervision sessions.  In addition, we offer group clinical supervision for the rate of $100 for a two hour group and $150 for a three hour group.  A minimum of three participants is necessary to offer group supervision.

Clinical Supervision Groups:
Every fourth Friday of the month from 10:30 – 1:30 pm.  This is an open group for all clinicians who have completed a minimum of the Intermediate Sand Play Therapy Training and are enrolled in or have completed the Advanced Sand Play Training  You must contact Mary Pat to join this group. 
YOU MUST TEXT/CALL MARY PAT TO CONFIRM YOU ARE COMING AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE

Private Trainings