Title:
Sandplay Therapy with Children Webinar Series 2025
Webinar 3: Working systemically: holding the child’s external world in mind
Format:
Online
Dates and Times:
Monday 24th November 2025
5pm – 7pm AEST
7pm – 9pm NZ
Description:
In this webinar we reflect and discuss how to work within a child’s broader world. We will cover: The complexities of using sandplay therapy in a school setting, an agency or a hospital setting; Explaining the sandplay therapy process to other professionals e.g., allied health, child protection and care teams, whilst protecting the child’s confidentiality and as always, maintaining the Free and Protected space. We will consider what to when children insist on having a parent/carer in the sandplay consulting room? And reflect on what might this suggest about their inner and outer world.
STANZA Certification hours:
2
Cost:
AUD$180
CPD Learning Objectives:
Learning Objectives of the Sandplay Therapy with Children Webinar Series 2025. At the end of these three webinars, participants will be able to:
- Set the clinical frame for use of Sandplay Therapy with children
- Understand and apply the concept of the ‘Free and Protected’ Space
- Deepen their understanding about the symbolic meaning of commonly seen sandplay/play therapy behaviours in the consulting room
- Apply limit setting whilst maintaining the integrity of the Free and Protected space
- Deepen reflection of their own practice and own limits in the consulting room
- Explain the sandplay therapy process to other professionals in the child’s life
- Understand some of the reasons why children insist on having parents/carers in the consulting room
Presenter’s Details
Presented by:
Dr Mary Raftopoulos and Jean Parkinson
Professional Qualifications:
Certified Sandplay Therapists – Teachers (STANZA/ISST)
Presenter/s Bio:
Mary Raftopoulos, PhD, is a registered Psychologist/Supervisor (AHPRA), Play Therapist & Approved Supervisor (APPTA) and the first Internationally Certified Sandplay Therapist-Teacher (ISST CST-T) in Victoria. Mary’s work spans over 20 years across a range of settings in Melbourne, London and Vancouver in public health, education, the non-profit sector and private practice. For over 10 years, Mary worked as a Senior Psychologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, specialising in the treatment of childhood trauma and abuse. She is now in full time private practice offering psychotherapy, supervision and consultation to agencies and schools.
Jean Parkinson is a Registered Art Psychotherapist in private practice in Auckland, NZ . Now working primarily with adults in Sandplay Therapy; until recently with children and families. Specific interest in attachment, trauma, neuro-development. Experience in child protection, education, clinical supervision and natural disaster response. Founder of Sandplay Aotearoa.