The Power of Play: How EMDR Therapy with Sandtray Helps Children Process Difficult Memories

At Living Bridges Therapy Collective, we believe that play is far more than just fun. It is a language—a child’s way of expressing thoughts, emotions, and experiences that they may not yet have the words to describe. As therapists who specialize in working with children, we have come to understand that when children engage in play, they reveal their inner worlds. But what happens when the stories they hold are difficult or even traumatic? Can play alone help children process these challenging experiences, or do they sometimes need more? This is where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, particularly when combined with the Sandtray approach, becomes a transformative tool for healing.

Understanding Play as a Child’s Language

Imagine sitting down with a child surrounded by figurines, blocks, and miniatures. What looks like simple play is often a child’s way of narrating their life. Play is an expressive tool that allows children to explore their world and communicate in a manner that feels safe and familiar to them. As they play, we as therapists can see beyond the toys and stories to understand the deeper emotions and experiences they are processing.

However, some memories and emotions are so overwhelming that play alone may not be enough to fully help a child heal. While play can be therapeutic, difficult memories—particularly those related to trauma—often need more structured support. This is where EMDR therapy can make all the difference.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a well-researched, evidence-based approach originally developed to help individuals of all ages process traumatic or difficult experiences. At its core, EMDR helps people reprocess troubling memories in a way that allows them to move past their emotional and psychological impact. The therapy typically involves eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (such as tapping or sounds),which help the brain process stuck or fragmented memories.

For adults, EMDR often involves talking through distressing experiences, putting them into words, and then reprocessing the memories with the guidance of a therapist. But with children, who may not have the words—or the emotional maturity—to fully explain their trauma, we need to find creative and non-verbal ways to help them heal.

This is where EMDR combined with Sandtray therapy becomes a powerful tool for child therapy.

The Magic of Sandtray

Sandtray therapy, which involves using a sandbox and various miniatures and figurines, is a therapeutic method that allows children to create scenes and tell stories in a non-verbal way. Children choose objects to represent people, emotions, or events in their lives, and arrange them in the sandbox in a way that feels meaningful to them. It’s a safe space for them to explore their inner world without needing to verbalize difficult emotions.

At Living Bridges, we have seen firsthand how the combination of EMDR with Sandtray creates a profound healing experience for children. When words are not enough—or when the trauma feels too overwhelming to speak about—Sandtray allows children to tell their stories in a symbolic way. In this safe, creative space, children can externalize their experiences, making them more manageable to process.

How Does Sandtray Work with EMDR?

While EMDR therapy traditionally uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, incorporating Sandtray into the process allows for a more developmentally appropriate method of healing for children.

During a Sandtray EMDR session, a child may build a scene in the sand with miniatures representing people, animals, and objects. These symbols often reflect aspects of their emotional world or challenging memories they are trying to process. As they create their scene, the therapist might gently guide them through EMDR’s reprocessing phases, such as using bilateral stimulation through tactile or auditory cues, to help the child process what is being expressed in their sand creation.

What’s powerful about this approach is that it doesn’t always require the child to verbalize their trauma directly. The figurines and sand become their language. Through the guided EMDR process, the child can begin to integrate their traumatic memories in a healthier, less distressing way, all while feeling safe in their imaginative play.

Why Sandtray EMDR Works So Well for Children

Children naturally gravitate toward play as a way of making sense of their world. By using Sandtray therapy in combination with EMDR, we allow children to access their inner experiences without pushing them to talk about their trauma before they are ready. This method of storytelling through miniatures and symbolic play offers a way for children to explore difficult emotions, while the EMDR techniques help them process and reframe those emotions more effectively.

At Living Bridges, we believe that children deserve to have safe, supportive environments where they can heal. Sandtray EMDR offers a gentle, age-appropriate way to help children work through the pain they might not be able to articulate. It encourages curiosity and self-reflection, helping children learn more about themselves and their feelings.

Supporting Your Child through Therapy

As a parent or guardian, it can be difficult to watch your child struggle with difficult emotions or traumatic experiences. But you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Our team at Living Bridges, including our Sandtray EMDR specialist, Tatyana Dikareva, is here to support you and your child. Tatyana brings a deep understanding of both Sandtray and EMDR therapy, providing children with a compassionate and effective way to heal from trauma.

If you’re wondering whether Sandtray EMDR could be right for your child, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Tatyana. She can answer your questions, discuss your child’s unique needs, and explore how therapy can be a supportive tool in your family’s healing process.

Contact us at Living Bridges Therapy Collective today to book a parent/guardian consultation with Tatyana. Let’s take the next step together in helping your child find peace, healing, and resilience.