The Core Element of Sandplay Therapy: Analytic Atmosphere

Sandplay is a therapeutic method developed by Dora M. Kalff. It is based on the psychological principles of C. G. Jung. The sand, water, and miniatures are visible and tangible, and you can also understand the images through symbolic meaning. But there is one more important element in sandplay therapy, which is inexpressible and intangible, but is the core factor: the “analytic atmosphere”. “This inner atmosphere is the metaphoric space in which analysis runs its course is the decisive criterion that nothing external can supplant” (Dieckmann, 1991, p. 148). This transparent analytic atmosphere is just like the magnetic field, which originates from the interaction between the conscious and the unconscious aspects of both the analyst and the analysand. As an analyst, to establish the “analytic atmosphere” three factors need to be considered: the first is the analytical attitude of the analyst, that is to revere the unknown world (unconscious) and show respect to it (敬); to understand and show sincerity to himself/herself and the analysand (诚); to love and show the compassion to himself/herself and the analysand (爱). The other is to practise what the analyst professes in his/her teaching and what he/she has learnt from the moral man. The last, but not least, is to develop himself/herself unceasingly.