Sandtray Therapy Training with Dr Kirsty Bilski
Ethical and safe practice training you can trust and be proud of
About Sandtray Training with Dr Kirsty Bilski
Dr Kirsty Bilski has used sandtray as a psychotherapeutic tool in therapy sessions and supervision throughout her career. She originally trained with Ken Rabone at the Iron Mill Institute in Exeter (Now Iron Mill College), and has gained an extensive knowledge and theoretical understanding through many years of continuous study. She has completed a Masters Degree (MA) in counselling Children and Young People as well as a further MA in Consultative Supervision. During both of these qualifications Kirsty researched sandtray processes which formed a fundamental part of both of these academic awards. In 2015 she was awarded a scholarship with the University of South Wales to study towards a Doctorate (PhD) which was concluded successfully in November 2022. Her Doctoral studies surrounded autonomy, causality and change in relation to counselling adolescents using sandtray in counselling. She has written academically about the efficacy of sandtray in therapy as well as its use in Supervision. Kirsty uses sandtray therapeutically with Adults, Children and Young People. Kirsty was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 2016, and has taught on various undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the University of South Wales.
Dr Kirsty Bilski is now the Director of The Way Forward Centre for Counselling, Training and Professional Development. This is a CPCAB centre offering a wide variety of counselling training for those wishing to enter the profession as qualified counsellors. She is well known for her dynamic approach to teaching and training, and her dedication to the professional development of the students she works with. Feedback from those attending the sandtray training indicates attendees typically leave with confidence to apply their knowledge in practice, obtain a good theoretical understanding, with a clear ethical awareness for the potency of this very special pscyhotherapeutic tool.
Broadly speaking there are two main theoretical strands to working with sand, one originating from the early work of Margaret Lowenfeld, the other from the later work of Dora Kallf. The approach associated with its earlier use tends to be (not exclusively so) known as 'Sandtray Therapy', the later approach is known as 'Sandplay Therapy' being more associated with a Jungian Analytical approach.
Many counsellors attempt to use sandtray with very little knowledge for the potential of this approach. It does enable access to deep awareness from the unconscious, the process therefore demands respect and must be used wisely, carefully, mindfully and gently. Training is essential. Counsellors and psychotherapists, as well as supervisors, will learn how to use this approach safely whilst also experiencing what it feels like to be the client. There is a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
SANDTRAY TRAINING CALENDAR & FEES Academic Year 2025 - 2026
(Last updated 20/05/2025)
FOUNDATION SANDTRAY TRAINING 2025 - 2026
Saturday 14th June and Saturday 21st June 2025 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Saturday 8th November and Saturday 15th November 2025 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
Saturday 9th May and Saturday 16th May 2026 (2 Days: 10 HOURS CPD) 10am until 4pm: Attendance is either online or face to face at the Way Forward Centre in Swansea. Fees £360 (incl VAT) per person, to include both days. No lunch is provided although there are kitchen facilities at the Centre to make hot drinks and to heat food.
About The Way Forward Centre
Face to face training is delivered at The Way Forward Centre (Way Forward Counselling Services Ltd), Suite 2, RVB House, Phoenix Way, Swansea Enterprise Park SA7 9FG. For those travelling some distance from home and staying overnight, there are plenty of places to stay locally. The Mercure Swansea Hotel is within easy walking distance of the venue.
This is a comfortable and spacious training centre, with a park and lake opposite offering a gentle, reflective space during breaks and lunch if required. There is parking immediately outside which is free of charge. For more information about The Way Forward Centre, please click on the button below.
If I choose to attend online what can I expect?…
Our online training takes place via ZOOM, it may be worth familiarising yourself with this communication platform if you haven’t used it before. During the training we use ZOOM breakout rooms so you can work in privacy with another course attendee, to practice the process at certain times during the course. There is time to talk together as a group, along with provision of resources to support your learning process. The groups run with both online and face to face students. You will be able to see the class and respond to group discussions whilst also watching live demonstrations. You will receive comprehensive notes and contain references to further reading material and research. If you are joining online , you will be sent your zoom links and guidance around joining about one week prior to the training.
These sandtray courses are experiential and demand a high level of personal awareness. Therefore all attendees for the scheduled training events are required to have qualified as a therapist or play therapist, having completed a qualification which has included self reflection and continued insight into personal awareness. Attendees will have also engaged in personal therapy as a part of their original qualifying course. Typically the training groups include qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or play therapists although other allied professionals such as social workers with additional therapy training have also attended. Training can also be arranged for trainees on recognised training courses.
The only way to learn to use sandtray ethically and safely is to experience how it feels to be a client, so you will be working in dyads to practice techniques throughout all training levels. You can expect to do a signficant amount of personal process over these days, whilst engaging in learning the practical and theoretical elements of the course. Keeping attendance strictly for qualified professionals helps to ‘balance’ the learning for the scheduled training groups, those who have attended in the past have remarked on the learning gained through the additional sharing of group experience.
Bespoke training days can be organised on a case by case basis for groups who are in training to be counsellors, as well as groups of play therapists or other allied professionals in training. Groups of qualified therapists can also book bespoke training days if required. The benefit of planning your own training days is that you get to choose dates that suit you as a group, it enables those still in training to attend and for the group to decide the content they would particularly like to focus on. For instance, a group of play therapists will learn about the specific use of sandtray with young children.
Places on each scheduled course are limited so early booking is essential.
Foundation Training: Using Sandtray Therapeutically in Counselling & Psychotherapy
2 DAY (10 hours) CPD Training
Appropriate for those wanting to start using sandtray in their practice, the course ensures you have the foundation knowledge and are able to practice ethically and safely using sand. To be accepted onto this course you will need to be a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist, and be able to confirm you have completed a number of personal therapy hours. Sandtray is a powerful tool and you will find you both learn how to use it whilst inevitably working on your own self awareness as well.
This course will provide you with a background understanding of the theory behind the approach as well as the practical skills to get started. You will be taught from an integrative perspective, learning how different counselling theories can be applied to this work. Margaret Lowenfeld (1979) suggests that sandtray is a 'tool' that can be used from multiple theoretical stances; throughout, Kirsty will highlight and demonstrate how a variety of models can be successfully applied. You will learn how to use sand on its own, as well as with miniatures. You will also explore symbols, projection and interpretation, as well as learning an integrative framework which can be applied to your professional practice with sand moving forward.
You will build experience through experiential practice with other members of the group. Attendees must recognise they may be emotionally triggered by the content in sandtrays, by aspects shared by others and by their own process. You will also learn by watching demonstrations and taking part in learning activities to enhance your understanding and developing skills. You will grow from the experience of the group and there is a strong emphasis on working safely and ethically with this powerful creative tool. On completion you will receive a CPD certificate of attendance for 10 hours.
Following the Foundation Training you may wish to join one of Kirsty’s Sandtray Supervision Groups, to further enrich your learning
If you would like to apply to attend any of our sandtray courses please complete our Sandtray Training Application From
SANDTRAY GROUP SUPERVISION
If you would like to further your experience of working with sand, and want to enrich your therapeutic development, then you may wish to join one of Kirsty’s Sandtray Supervision Groups. You can decide how often you would like to attend as this might be an addition to your regular supervision, particularly as you may work in a number of ways with your clients and not just using sandtray. Sandtray supervision is a great way of completing additional CPD, and continuing the learning journey that you may already have begun!
Please complete the contact form at the end of the page if you would be interested in Supervision with Kirsty either individually or as a group. If you would like to be in a group then you may have to wait for a space, or you may wish to apply as a group together, there needs to be a minimum of 3 counsellors in the group. See below for current fee schedule.
Supervision Fees:
Individual Sessions:
60 minute session £80
90 minute session £120
120 minute session £160
Group Supervision (Minimum 3 Counsellors):
90 Minute session £90 (£60 per hour) per person
120 Minute session £120 (£60 per hour) per person
Terms & Payment of Fees
Payment is respectfully requested at each session, this includes your initial appointment.
Organisations will be invoiced and expected to pay within the agreed time scale.
If paying via direct credit the fees must be paid on the same day as the appointment.
Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before a scheduled appointment.
Sessions cancelled within 24 hrs of a scheduled appointment will be subject to full payment.
Fees can be settled by Direct Credit payments, or Payment Link (All major transaction methods accepted including Apple Pay).
Concessions are available for individuals or families who are in receipt of benefit, if you think your circumstances would qualify you for a reduction in fees then please feel free to talk this through when you contact the Way Forward Centre.
If you would like to ask further questions about the training or group supervision opportunities please complete the form below:
