The Sandplay Therapists of America – STA is the US branch of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy – ISST
STA oversees certification of sandplay therapists in the US. Other countries have their own ISST branch, and in countries where there is no ISST branch, applicants must go directly through ISST.

STA has levels of qualification to practice sandplay and each has its own requirements:

1.Sandplay Practitioner
  • 36 hours of training with Certified Sandplay Therapist – Teacher  CST-T – 18 hours must be a course entitled “Introduction to Sandplay Therapy”
  • 25 group consultation hours with a CST-T, or 15 individual consultation hours with CST-T, or combination totaling 20 hours
  • Sandplay process with CST or CST-T – 30-40 sessions (The sandplay process involves doing your own sandplay work with a Certified Sandplay Therapist)

2.Certified Sandplay Therapist
  • 120 hours of training with CST-T
  • 80 hours consultation – 50 group hours maximum, 30 individual hours with CST-T
  • Personal sandplay process with CST or CST-t – 30 trays & 40 sessions
  • Two papers on symbols or theory
  • Qualifying interview
  • Final case report – write up of completed sandplay case




Sandplay Therapists of America  www.sandplay.org  See their “Join” page
International Society for Sandplay Therapy http://www.isst-society.com/

Remember...check frequently with certifying organizations as their requirements may have changed

Training Requirements to Practice
Sandplay Therapy
Download STA Handbook
Sandplay Therapists of America