English

xpressive Sandwork is a trans-cultural, non-verbal method of therapeutic care for situations in which individual psychotherapy is not available. It is based on the work of volunteers who are trained by certified IAES trainers and who are supported by the latter throughout the project. The method itself is an adaption of Margaret Lowenfeld's World Technique and Dora Kalff's Sandplay Therapy and is based on the theoretical foundations of C.G. Jung. It is especially designed for emergency situations, disaster settings and long term interventions in vulnerable communities.

Its goal is to help children and adults activate a process of psychological self-regulation, using their own creative potential.

Expressive Sandwork is a resource-oriented therapeutic method for children from age 5 to 15. It has been implemented successfully in ten countries of four different continents, in public and private institutions. Expressive Sandwork is based on free symbolic play, it is non-invasive, non-directive, non-verbal and therefore particularly intercultural: a wide range of children’s needs can be met. Expressive Sandwork is based on voluntary work: it is efficient, replicable, and sustainable.

• who are exposed to neglect, abandonment, domestic violence, and poverty in socially vulnerable neighborhoods (all projects listed unter “countries”).
• who live in criminal neighborhoods, “child headed families” (South Africa, Colombia, and Argentina).
• who suffer from collective trauma because of war and forced migration (Palestine, Colombia, Malaysia, and Germany).
• who suffer loss and grief from natural catastrophes (Earthquakes 2008 in Sichuan Province, China; 2009 in Tibet and 2011 in Italy).
• with special mental needs (China and Colombia).
• with special physical needs; for example children with cleft lip and cleft palate syndrome (Bogotà, Medellin, Kali – Colombia).
• with special educational needs (Romania).
• having been exposed to sex traffic and prostitution (Colombia and Malaysia).
• with life-limiting illnesses (Colombia).
• with chronic illnesses (diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal problems) and consequently hospitalizations for several months: (Colombia).
• waiting for adoption (Colombia and Argentina).
• destined to remain in orphanages and child-care centers until adult age (Palestine, Romania, and China).