Play Therapy with Adolescents through Sandtray: Unlocking Creative Potential during a Season of Complex Neurodevelopment (Day 1)

Marshall Lyles

LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

9:00AM - 4:30PM (EST)

(APT Contact CE Hours)

Session Description

Adolescence is a season of intense neurobiological change, which brings a mix of beautiful and painful complexities into adolescents’ lived experiences. Understanding the internal workings of the adolescent mind will support sandtray-focused play therapists as they hold compassionate and resonant space for the evolving asymmetrical areas of development. In this workshop, therapists will apply their unfolding awareness of the adolescent mind to focused play therapy using the sand tray. There will ample time for practicing in the sand tray as well as practicing the layering of other adolescent-friendly expressive arts with sandtray-based play therapy.

Primary Area: Play Therapy Skills and Methods

Play Therapy Competencies Addressed: Competency 2 (Clinical Play Therapy Skills)

Theoretical Basis: Attachment

In-Person Workshop Scheduled:

9:00-10:30 am Session

10:30-10:45 am BREAK

10:45-12:15 pm Session

12:15-1:15 pm LUNCH BREAK

1:15-2:45 pm Session

2:45-3:00 pm BREAK

3:00-4:30 pm Session

Learning Objectives

Describe the history of sandtray-based play therapy

2. Discuss the neurobiology of the adolescent mind and its relevance to expressive play therapy

3. Apply historical understanding of sandtray-based play therapy to work with adolescents

4. Discuss sandtray-based play therapy material adaptations that may be needed for adolescent work

5. Create sandtray-based play therapy treatment plans for varying adolescent presentations

6. Apply advanced sandtray-based play therapy processing skills with adolescent clients

7. Describe the complexity and impact of therapeutic resonance with an adolescent in sandtray-based play therapy

8. Discuss the person of the play therapist awareness necessities for effective work with adolescents

Brief Bio

Marshall Lyles, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, has 25 years of practice in family and expressive therapies. He has extensive speaking and training experience and has worked in a variety of mental health settings. Most of Marshall’s clinical practice has focused on attachment trauma and its effect on family relationships. Marshall conducts consultation sessions with counseling professionals and leads training for both parents and professionals; much of his consultation and training focuses on the use of sandtray and other expressive therapies for those impacted by trauma. As a person with disability, Marshall also feels passionate around the topics of disability advocacy, the impact of ableism and accessibility for all.

Questions?

Please contact the Office of School and Community Partnerships at oscp-coed@charlotte.edu if you have any questions.