Course Description for Focusing and Sandtray Practices in the Expressive Arts Therapy Tradition

This presentation will introduce participants to Focusing and Sandtray, along with their integration with expressive arts. It will include a brief overview of the historical and more recent legacies that have provided the foundation for these approaches to be respected and practiced in the field of psychotherapy. Both directive and nondirective approaches will be presented, along with recommended materials for practicing Sandtray in therapy. There will also be a brief discussion on how Focusing, Sandtray, and Expressive Arts Therapy are experiences that foster neural integration within the body-brain, and how that is a critical ingredient to cultivate wellbeing.

An experiential component will be offered, including: Focusing to access a felt sense, extending and deepening it through Sandtray, and allowing the embodied call to unfold further through expressive arts. The presentation will conclude with an opportunity to ask questions or share about curiosities.  

Note: Due to the expansive nature of these topics, please be aware that working with Focusing or Sandtray requires more than this kind of introduction and is more about dipping one’s toes into the landscape, rather than swimming in the deep ends.

Location: Online via Zoom. Zoom links are initially sent out the week prior to the presentation date.

Date and Time: Monday, October 19, 2026 from 1:00 - 3:00pm PDT

Cost (USD):

• Presentation cost:
  • Deborah Armstrong Presentation only: $25
  • Fall 2026 bundle (with Lisa D. Hinz): $45
• 2 CE Hours (purchased separately): $10

Presenter: Deborah Armstrong, Ph.D., LMFT-S, RPT-S, REAT, REACE, CFP
This presentation series is hosted by the Focusing and Expressive Art Institute (Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., LMFT, ATR-BC®, REAT).

Content Level: Open to those new and experienced in Focusing, Expressive Arts, and FOAT!

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain what Focusing is and identify the steps involved in experiencing a Focusing process with intention.
2. List at least 3 approaches to practicing Sandtray.
3. Explain directive and non-directive approaches to Sandtray therapy,  and the appropriate materials for each.
4. Describe how Focusing and Sandtray can be viewed as brain-wise practices in therapy through the lens of neuroscience, including Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB).
   
   

Satisfactory Completion for CEs: This program is approved for 2 CE hours. Participants must have paid the presentation (or bundle) fee and CE fee, attended and participated throughout the entirety of the Live Zoom program (with camera on to verify presence), and completed the CE Evaluation. Full attendance is required (there are no partial CE hours). 

Cancellation/Refund Policy: All refund requests are subject to review by the Focusing and Expressive Arts Institute Training Director. Please see our Policy Page for details (see "Roots, Branches, and Wings Series" for presentation refunds; see "Courses approved for NBCC credit through the Focusing and Expressive Arts Institute ACEP" for CE refunds).

Grievance Policy: For questions, concerns, or comments, contact us at [email protected].

Disability Accommodations: To request accommodations, contact us at [email protected].

Disclosure Statement: There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.