12-Day Certificate in Sandplay & Symbol Work
A 12-day in-person professional training programme delivered across four three-day workshops, with an additional 20 hours of group supervision, case consultation, and ongoing interactive teaching and learning.
In person in Singapore · Three-day workshops · Trainer: Paula Huggins
Programme Structure
Complete the programme in two sequential blocks. Block 1 comprises Workshops 1 and 2. Block 2 comprises Workshops 3 and 4 together with the required group supervision.
Block 1 must be completed before progressing to Block 2. Both Blocks and completion of all course requirements are required to be awarded the ETA Certificate in Sandplay & Symbol Work. Participants completing only Block 1 receive a Statement of Attendance.
The 12-Day Certificate in Sandplay & Symbol Work is an Expressive Therapies Australia (ETA) certificate pathway, delivered in person in Singapore by Gentle Art of Expressive Therapy.
Detailed Programme Information
Download the Course Brief
Read the course background, content overview, certificate structure, assignment requirements and reading list.
Download Course Brief (PDF)2027 Programme Dates
Workshops must be completed in the correct sequence.
Block 1 · Foundations & Practice
Workshop 1: 1–3 April 2027
Workshop 2: 13–15 May 2027
Enrol as a complete two-workshop block.
Block 2 · Deepening & Consolidation
Workshop 3: 7–9 October 2027
Workshop 4: 25–27 November 2027
Prior completion of Block 1 is required.
Explore the Workshops
Select a title to explore the content and participation information.
Three-day workshop1–3 April 2027Workshop 1: Foundation SkillsExplore module
Begin the Sandplay and Symbol Work pathway with core theory, ethical practice and guided experiential learning.
What you will explore
- Origins, research and differences between sandplay, sandtray and Symbol Work.
- The five stages of the therapeutic journey and developmentally appropriate practice.
- Facilitating sessions with client care and ethical awareness.
- Symbols, music, body scanning, visualisation and drawing for self-expression.
Participation & pathway
Block 1 · 1–3 April 2027. Enrol in Block 1 as a complete six-day block, including Workshop 2.
Three-day workshop13–15 May 2027Workshop 2: From Theory to PracticeExplore module
Develop facilitation skills and connect Sandplay theory with trauma-informed therapeutic work.
What you will explore
- Personal process, therapeutic relationships and cultural humility.
- Historical influences, including Margaret Lowenfeld.
- Working with symbols, images and metaphor; reviewing evidence.
- Session tracking and expressive activities for grounding and integration.
Participation & pathway
Block 1 · 13–15 May 2027. Workshop 1 must be completed first. No direct entry at Workshop 2.
Three-day workshop7–9 October 2027Workshop 3: Exploration — Deep Healing Using Sandplay & Symbol WorkExplore module
Deepen your understanding of Sandplay processes and frameworks for therapeutic development.
What you will explore
- Jung’s model of the psyche, individuation and Dora Kalff’s framework.
- Reflective questions and frameworks for understanding client progress.
- Connections with neuropsychology and trauma recovery.
- Nature connection and ethical exploration of dream material.
Participation & pathway
Block 2 · 7–9 October 2027 for the pathway shown here. Completion of Block 1 is required. Previous Block 1 graduates can enquire about other Block 2 intakes.
Three-day workshop25–27 November 2027Workshop 4: Consolidation — Resources for Self-Connection, Building Hope and Grounded PresenceExplore module
Consolidate your practice through supervision, therapeutic reflection and approaches to integration.
What you will explore
- Supervision, professional development and ethical capacity.
- Projection, transference, countertransference and therapeutic relationships.
- Transpersonal perspectives, meaning, mindfulness and active imagination.
- Sandtray themes, integration into practice and prevention of vicarious trauma.
Participation & pathway
Block 2 · 25–27 November 2027. Block 1 and Workshop 3 must be completed first. No direct entry at Workshop 4. Block 2 includes 20 hours of group supervision.
Choose Your Enrolment Option
Choose your preferred block or full programme, then complete the Sandplay & Symbol Work registration form. All options below open the same form; please indicate your preferred enrolment option.
Our team will review your registration and confirm eligibility, availability, fees and payment instructions. Submitting the form does not confirm your place.
Block 1
Foundations & Practice
S$2,140
- Workshop 1: 1–3 April 2027
- Workshop 2: 13–15 May 2027
- Six in-person training days
- Capacity: 12 participants
Block 2
Deepening & Consolidation
S$2,740
- Workshop 3: 7–9 October 2027
- Workshop 4: 25–27 November 2027
- 20 hours of group supervision
- Capacity: 10 participants
Block 1 must be completed before enrolment. Please include your previous Block 1 training details in your registration so we can confirm eligibility.
Register for Block 2Full Programme
Block 1 + Block 2
S$4,680
- All four three-day workshops
- 20 hours of group supervision
- One upfront enrolment
- Save S$200 compared with purchasing both blocks separately
Certificate Requirements
- Completion of all four workshops.
- 20 hours of group supervision.
- A literature review of approximately 1,500 words, discussing a book and an academic article and reflecting on their relevance to professional practice and personal Sandplay experience. Due one month before the final group session.
- An open-book online multiple-choice questionnaire after each workshop. Participants must score higher than 90% or resubmit.
- An illustrated case presentation covering at least three sessions with an individual client, with the client’s permission and anonymity maintained. Include clear photographs and relevant session reflections.
Group supervision comprises ten two-hour sessions. Case presentations take place during an in-person group session scheduled after Workshop 4. Allow approximately 15–20 minutes for the presentation, with feedback time; each presentation is allocated approximately 40–45 minutes in total. Exact group-session dates will be confirmed.
What Is Included
- Workshop manuals.
- PDF version of Sandplay and Symbol Work by Mark Pearson and Helen Wilson.
- Electronic Book of Readings.
- Morning and afternoon tea and snacks.
- 20 hours of group supervision as part of Block 2.
What Past Participants Say
The Sandplay and Symbol Work Expressive Therapies course has truly expanded my therapeutic skill set and provided a therapeutic medium that has been significantly beneficial to my work as a High School Counsellor.
I have seen young people engaging in a more meaningful and in-depth manner. For example, simply asking a young person to create what they wanted in the sand has led to significant disclosures of suicide ideation, abusive experiences and young people coming to significant and insightful new perspectives about their lived experiences. Through Symbol Work, I’ve seen young people depicting their stories and experiences in a manner that has enabled the externalising of deeper emotions, thoughts and feelings; at times going on to spontaneously explore solutions and new perspectives for change through exploration of symbols.
I truly believe it has been beneficial for my clients to explore their own parts of self and inner children through the use of symbols, as it has created a way for clients to see a new perspective on their inner world, seeing parts of self at times with more compassion and understanding of how the parts influence each other. In some ways this has enabled sand creations that physically depict formulations in the sand, leading to more meaningful insights about unhelpful behaviour cycles with a chance to explore and create alternative behaviour patterns.
As a life coach I have been able to utilise guided Symbol Work to support coachees in exploring their goals in a more meaningful way, identifying barriers and identifying options and choices.
I wholeheartedly believe that Sandplay and Symbol Work is enhancing my practice as a Counsellor and Coach. Of all my training to date, this therapeutic approach is one that has brought the most significant, at times also the quickest, positive outcomes for clients. It has been a truly moving experience to walk alongside clients using this therapeutic approach.
I highly recommend the Sandplay and Symbol Work Expressive Therapies training.
YF — School Counsellor, 2026
Venue & Payment Options
Gentle Art of Expressive Therapy
50b Smith Street
Chinatown, Singapore 058958
Payment instructions will be provided after your registration has been reviewed. Payment options include credit card, PayNow or bank transfer. A flexible payment plan of a S$1,000 deposit followed by four monthly instalments may also be available; please contact us for details.
Before You Enrol
Please read the course brief before enrolling, including the assignment and supervision requirements.
Questions? Contact Us