NJ Sand Play Training
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.
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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 Healing Arts professionals 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. This type of training is 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 colleague Sally Nilsson. This technique combines Equine Facilitated Learning with 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 burnout 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. Training at Lighthouse Counseling & Sand Play Training Center, LLC uses a small group experiential format (18 or fewer participants) and is hosted in an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable space. To deepen your Sand Play Therapy education, we also offer individual Sand Play Supervision.
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 two sites: Eatontown, New Jersey, and La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
***If you are interested in a purely Jungian approach to training in Sand Play Therapy, The Lighthouse Sand Play Therapy Technique is not for you. 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 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 Koenigsfest, LPC, ACS, and Toni Zachos Kaplan (Eatontown facilitators) are graduates of the Certificate in Sand Play Training Program and are seasoned clinicians, trainers, and supervisors.
Three-Full Day Introduction to Sand Play Training Series – 22.5 CEUs
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).
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Presenters: Mary Pat McGeehin, LCSW and Gretchen Morgan, LCSW, Toni Zachos Kaplan, LCSW, Heather Koenigsfest, LPC, LCADC, ACS
Participants will have extensive, hands-on experience in building their own Sandtray, facilitating the Sand Play Process for others (“holder” skills), and participating in experiential exercises with multiple participants in the Sandtray. Contact Toni (732-842-4392) for more information.
INTRODUCTION TO SAND PLAY THERAPY TRAINING IN EATONTOWN, NJ
April 28-30, 2024 – Starts 9:00 a.m. each day and ends at 5pm
COST $650 ($50 discount for Students)
next date is:
August 18-20, 2024 – Starts 9:00 a.m. each day and ends at 5pm
COST $650 ($50 discount for Students)
Please specify in the notes section which date you are registering for!
Intermediate Sand Play Therapy Training Series – 18 CEUs
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 10 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.
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Presenter: Gretchen Morgan, LCSW, Toni Zachos Kaplan, LCSW
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, and NBCC . Contact Toni for more information.
INTERMEDIATE SAND PLAY THERAPY TRAINING IN EATONTOWN, NJ
May 28, 2024 – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (then the 4th Tuesday of each month for 5 additional months) *July will be the 5th Tuesday
May 9, 2024 – 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (then the 2nd Thursday of each month for 5 additional months) *July will be the 3rd Thursday
COST $1,050 (Fee may be divided into six (6) monthly payments of $175 each.)
Advanced Sand Play Therapy Training Series – Female 30 CEUs, Male 21 CEUs
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 – 10 participants) and highly experiential.
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Presenter: Mary Pat McGeehin, LCSW, Gretchen Morgan, LCSW, Heather Koenigsfest, LPC, LCADC, ACS
The format is small group (4-10 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, and NBCC. Contact Heather for more information.
Female Archetypes IN SAND PLAY TRAINING IN EATONTOWN, NJ
May 22, 2024 – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (then the 4th Wednesday of each month for 9 additional months)
*December date will be rescheduled*
May 15, 2024 – 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (then the 3rd Wednesday of each month for 9 additional months)
COST $1,750 (Fee may be divided into ten (10) monthly payments of $175)
ADVANCED MALE ARCHETYPES IN SAND PLAY TRAINING IN EATONTOWN, NJ
Fee may be divided into seven (7) monthly payments of $175
October 2, 2024 – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (then the 1st Wednesday of each month for 6 additional months)
*November and January dates will be rescheduled*
October 9, 2024 – 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (then the 2nd Wednesday of each month for 6 additional months)
Cost: $1,225
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***
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 $150 for a two-hour group and $175 for a three-hour group and $185 for a 50 minute individual supervision. A minimum of 4 participants is necessary to offer group supervision with a maximum of 10.
Sand Play Training – Group Supervision
10 hours required for certificate – 10 CEUs
2 Hour Group 10am-12pm
4th Wednesday of the month
(Unless otherwise noted)
Minimum of 3 trainees are needed – maximum is 10
Cost: $150 per trainee
If not enough trainee’s register for the group, it will be canceled.
You will be contacted if the group is cancelled due to too few participants.
In case of an emergency please contact Toni to cancel your spot.
You may attend Sand Play Training – Group Supervison, once you have completed Introduction, Intermediate, Advanced Female and Advanced Male Archetypes.
2024 Dates:
January
February
March
April 24th, 2024
May 22nd, 2024
June 26th, 2024
July 24th, 2024
August 28th, 2024
September 25th 2024
October 23rd, 2024
November – tbd due to holiday
December – tbd due to holiday
Private Training
INTRODUCTORY, INTERMEDIATE, AND ADVANCED SAND PLAY TRAINING
Our entire training curriculum can be offered to your private group at our Center. The cost for the Introduction to Sand Play Training is $6000 for up to 10 participants and $600 per person over that amount. The Intermediate Training cost $990 per person (minimum 8 people). Advanced Female Training cost $1650 per person (minimum 8 people) and Advanced Male Training cost $1155 per person. Monthly Payments can be made for Intermediate and Advanced.
PRIVATE THREE FULL-DAY INTRODUCTION TO SAND PLAY TRAINING SERIES
Cost $6000 (price includes up to 10 people; $600 per additional person)
PRIVATE INTERMEDIATE SAND PLAY TRAINING
Cost $990 per person (8 person minimum).
PRIVATE ADVANCED SAND PLAY TRAINING
Female Archetypes – Cost $1650 per person (8 person minimum)
Male Archetypes – Cost $1155 per person (8 person minimum)
Future
Free Play Therapy Training
This is a wonderful way to introduce your agency, school or community group to the basic tenets of Sand Play Therapy. Toni will provide a free 1.5 hour clinical training about Sand Play Therapy at your site. A minimum of 8 participants is necessary for the training and there is no maximum. Free trainings can only be offered within a 90 minute drive from our Eatontown, NJ office. Contact Toni to schedule.
Continuing Education will be awarded for clinical staff by NBCC.
Lighthouse Counseling & Sand Play Training Center, LLC will only cancel
Credit must be used within twelve months of cancellation date or credit will be voided. Cancellations made 4 weeks or less before the training are not eligible for credit or refund.
*If you have any questions about our cancellation policy, please ask us before registering.
All complaints/grievances about the course must be made in writing to Heather or Toni. Complaints will be reviewed by Heather or Toni, and a response will be provided in writing within a 30-day period.
Need a refund?
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