51st Edition

First of all, I have a confession to make.

I got nothing for today.

ZERO. ZILCH.

Usually, I "write" the Ally in my head for a week or so before I sit down at the computer, but today, it just ain't coming.

I thought about just not sending one.

Just being like nope, it will be fine just this one time, I mean who really reads this anyway.

But, like I mentioned in the last edition, I don't no-show people I care about - and today that is YOU.

They say that 80% of success is just showing up so here I am, showing up for you in all of my naked, I have-no-idea-what-I'm-doing glory.

I'm betting you've felt that way before - maybe before/during a sandtray session - that you just don't know.

Or maybe during documenting an amazing sandtray session. The ones where your clients make so much progress and you felt in the "flow" - that it all fit but then you sit down and you just stare at the screen or maybe out the window like my cat below (yes I snapped this today as *I* was staring at the screen/out the window before writing this.)

I know - very META.

So I've decided that THIS edition is going to be dedicated to helping YOU when you just don't know.

When you're at a loss in your sessions and you just start throwing your hands in the air (but you still do care).

So, to help, I'm including several resources in the section below that are dedicated to helping you break out when you feel stuck or just "got nothing"

Honestly, that is one of the BIG reasons I fell in love with sandtray in the first place. Because it felt like my "get out of jail FREE" card when I just didn't know what to say or do to help the client heal.

Don't know what is causing the anxiety to increase?

DO A SANDTRAY.

Struggling with how to help your client increase coping skills so they can ace that test?

DO A SANDTRAY

Wondering about the best way to role play talking to their parents about the coming out process?

DO A SANDTRAY

Yes, my clients of ALL ages benefit from sandtray and I get to not know everything. It's beautiful because sometimes I wonder if I really know anything. And no, that's not a self-depreciating thing, but more of a feeling of I know less as I get older and experience more.

It's weird, but I bet you know what I mean.

And if you don't? Just you wait ENRY IGGINGS, just you wait. (Picture a My Fair Lady reference if you're looking at the screen like WTF Amy).

Alright, now for some resources to help YOU when you JUST CAN'T EVEN.

I got you boo.

First of all, I've got some new directives for you to pull out when you aren't sure of where to go.

Honestly, that's the best part of directives. They give you and your client a place to hang your hat when things seem too much or they are too overwhelmed by a general nondirective sandtray.

Remember, the brain will go where it needs to go so the directive is just a starting place. The client will do what they need to do to heal - a directive isn't a decree.

Click the picture below to get 5 directives to use when you got nothin'

Simply click on the graphic to get the printable version or to save to your phone to pull out when you aren't feeling sure about your direction in the sandtray session.

ALSO - this is a miniature I referenced in the last Ally but I'm putting here again because it's an amazing representation of how we and our clients often feel.

Now, what about those times when you don't know what to write in your notes as you document your sandtray sessions?

You need to beat the BLANK SCREEN SYNDROME OR WHAT I CALL THE BSS.

Just for you, I'm linking my three updated Sandtray Documentation Wizards.

Each Wizard is designed to help you quickly check off what happened and what you said and did during the session AS WELL AS the meaning behind what occurred (yes the themes and meanings are also in the wizards!)

Click the button below for what you need to download and use!

Child Documentation Wizard

Teen Documentation Wizard

Adult Documentation Wizard

Hopefully those resources can break you out of the frozeness that goes along with really caring about doing a job well. Think about it this way - you wouldn't feel frozen if you didn't care or the stakes weren't decently high.

You're welcome for that reframe 🙂

How 'bout a good ol' fashioned Sandtray Ally quiz??

We're going back to the basics with this one (since we're talking about what to do in your sandtray sessions if you get stuck)

What is one thing you CAN/SHOULD do if your client looks like you like "what now" during your sandtray session?

A. Start talking to fill the emptiness

B. Panic

C. Go back to the body

D. Wonder if you should have even gone to graduate school and if they are hiring at Taco Bell

Answer at the bottom of the email!

Alright that's it for today's edition of the Sandtray Ally.

We made it. You made it. You're amazing (even if you don't feel like it or wonder if you even belong in this profession - hint: you do, trust me or you wouldn't be reading this).

Have a wonderful week ya'll and I'll be hitting your inbox when March marches in! HA!

Talk soon,

Amy

P.S. And the answer is --- go back to the the body. When your client doesn't know what else to say or you get stuck, prompt them to notice where they are feeling things in their body or what feelings are coming up as they look at the sandtray.

It's magic I promise.