Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a sand tray can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Sand tray therapy

What is sand tray therapy?

Sand tray therapy is a therapeutic method that fosters non-verbal emotional expression through the use of sand and assorted toys, tools, and figurines. This technique helps individuals cope with conditions like stress, anxiety, and trauma through self-expression.

How does sand tray therapy work?

Sand tray therapy is a structured setting in which clients are given tools and toys along with a sand tray, and are asked to express themselves with the sand. This can give therapists a way to connect with clients or lead them to ask more specific questions. It also gives individuals the time and space to clear their minds and process their emotions and experiences, as well as allowing them to spend their energy on feeling their feelings rather than finding ways to articulate them. This can be freeing for both children and adults.

Is sand tray therapy conducted in person or online?

Sand tray therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does sand tray therapy last?

Sand tray therapy can be used for a few minutes at a time or as the main focus of sessions. Depending on the concerns of the client, their symptoms, and the effectiveness of the technique, sand tray therapy might be implemented for anywhere from one session to many sessions over the course of years.

Need more help deciding?

What Is Sand Tray Therapy? – Counselors and Coaches in Alpharetta

Sand tray therapy is a technique which can be used to facilitate healing in adults, adolescents, and children, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings when words alone are not enough. In addition to its therapeutic use, sand tray can be a tool for personal growth and the development of creativity.

A sand tray therapist’s office is equipped with a specially proportioned sand tray with a blue interior, water and a large collection of miniatures, including human figures, fantasy and folklore figures, animals, buildings, objects from nature, vehicles, and others. The miniatures represent all of the elements of life-the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the comforting, the frightening, the happy and the sad. The therapists at Thriveworks Alpharetta who have been specially trained in the use of the sand tray provide an accepting environment in which the client is invited to create a world in the tray using the sand and miniatures.

How Does Sand Tray Therapy Work?

People think not only in words but in images. The use of the sand and miniatures activates this nonverbal manner of thinking, allowing the client to express images, emotions, perceptions, and conflicts about which they may not be able to talk. New solutions to emotional struggles can be experimented with through the “play.”

The meaning of the work in the sand tray emerges as the client shares the world with the therapist. Through the use of the sand tray, emotional struggles which previously were not conscious or could not be talked about are brought into awareness so that they can be understood and resolved. An increased capacity for self-expression, self-awareness and communication can be developed through the use of sand tray.

Who Can Benefit from Sand Tray Therapy?

The use of sand tray is very effective with children who are not yet mature enough to express complex thoughts and feelings. Most children take to the use of the sand tray very readily.

However, sand tray therapy is also a powerful therapeutic tool for adolescents and adults, with whom it can be used along with verbal therapy. Working in the sand tray allows clients to move to a deep level more quickly than they might when relying on words alone.

Sand tray therapy can be particularly helpful with adults and teenagers when they are “stuck” in verbal therapy. Using the sand and the miniatures can open the way to feelings which we have been unable to reach by talk alone. For people who tend to rely too much on their intellect to the exclusion of their emotion, struggle with perfectionism, have a history of trauma or loss, or have unresolved family issues, the use of the sand tray can be especially effective. Sand tray therapy can also be employed in counseling families or couples.

Schedule Sand Tray Therapy at Thriveworks Alpharetta

If you think you could benefit from sand tray therapy, reach out to Thriveworks in Alpharetta to get scheduled for your first session. We offer evening and weekend appointments, and accept most major insurances. Call today to get started.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alpharetta therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Alpharetta
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Mark has been a fabulous help to me. He listens well and remembers our previous conversations. He understands my concerns and offers insightful feedback. I would highly recommend him and your company to anyone who needs assistance. He is a great resource and a great representative for the business.
Read more Mark has been a fabulous help to me. He listens well and remembers our previous conversations. He understands my concerns and offers insightful feedback. I would highly recommend him and your company to anyone who needs assistance. He is a great resource and a great representative for the business.
Dale Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Excellent therapist! Mark, is an expert in his field! The only therapist I will ever use! Definitely recommend Mark to anyone in search of a quality therapist!
Read more Excellent therapist! Mark, is an expert in his field! The only therapist I will ever use! Definitely recommend Mark to anyone in search of a quality therapist!
Alpharetta Mar 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Jesslynn Palmer is a great therapist, with helpful techniques to get me through the stressful days and constantly helping me to do better than the day before. Highly recommended.
Read more Jesslynn Palmer is a great therapist, with helpful techniques to get me through the stressful days and constantly helping me to do better than the day before. Highly recommended.
Alpharetta Jun 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Jennifer was absolutely wonderful. Very helpful at a time I was very much in need!
Alpharetta Oct 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Terry Walton is a great listener. Terry is compassionate, empathetic and easy to talk to. I’m looking forward to future appointments.
Read more Terry Walton is a great listener. Terry is compassionate, empathetic and easy to talk to. I’m looking forward to future appointments.
Alpharetta Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Terry Walton is an exceptional counselor. Terry listens effectively and provides guidance to help resolve difficulties and important issues. If you are looking for a counselor that will truly establish a good relationship and allow you to be completely honest about your thoughts and feelings, he is the one. I am looking forward to my next session with Terry.
Read more Terry Walton is an exceptional counselor. Terry listens effectively and provides guidance to help resolve difficulties and important issues. If you are looking for a counselor that will truly establish a good relationship and allow you to be completely honest about your thoughts and feelings, he is the one. I am looking forward to my next session with Terry.
Alpharetta Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Amber Gilbert is a phenomenal counselor. If you’re looking for a counselors who listens, validates, and asks the difficult questions to help foster self-reflection and self-awareness; she’s the one.
Read more Amber Gilbert is a phenomenal counselor. If you’re looking for a counselors who listens, validates, and asks the difficult questions to help foster self-reflection and self-awareness; she’s the one.
Alpharetta Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My first session was amazing with my counselor. I can’t wait until my next appointment!!
Alpharetta Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alpharetta is located on Powers Pl just off N Main St, a few minutes northeast of Wills Park. We share a building with Dream Seeker Elizabeth, and our neighbors include CITGO Food & Wine, Monkey 68 Kitchen & Bar, and From Hair On Salon. The closest bus stop to our building is N Main St & Mayfield Rd. If you have trouble finding our office or have any questions about how to get here, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Phone number

(770) 676-3078

Languages spoken by GA providers

  • English
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Shown in ET

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