Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray (NSST) Therapist 

This is a model of play therapy developed by Madeleine de Little (www.wherewordscannotreach.ca). NSST is comprised of a combination of Neuroscience, Satir’s Transformational Systems Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy. The approach is based on safety; safety between the therapist and client, as well as transforming ways that clients have kept themselves safe. NSST works by acknowledging the trauma that has happened in the past that the client’s nervous system perceives as ongoing, and works to transform the underlying lack of safety that has occurred. We hold our emotions in both our bodies as well as the right hemisphere of our brain. Through the strong therapeutic relationship, language is introduced while using the figurines in hopes of externalizing the right brain experience. New neural pathways are created as integration occurs on both sides of the brain and in the body. An internalize sense of safety can place the traumatic experience in the past (www.wherewordscannotreach.ca).