What is sandtray work and how does working with metaphor benefit us neurologically? We speak with Leah Hodari about applying sandtray work to dreamwork. Leah starts out by talking about the history of sandtray and how it deviates from the Jungian practice of sand play. She describes how all aspects of the therapy encourage therapeutic bilateral integration, allowing trauma, which lives in the right hemisphere, to emerge and be processed by the more verbal left hemisphere.
We talk about metaphor in sandtray work and in waking life in that humans commonly experience that one object can hold many different meanings. Leah talks about the power of using sandtray to explore and modify dreams and lists several questions the dreamer can ask themselves to deepen their dreamwork.
In the second half, Leah talks about how she got started with this work. We take an email from Rachel who asks about talking in her sleep and a question from Max who shares his experience that both he and his son find that playing with and creating miniatures can be be relaxing and helps with focus. Leah ends by talking about how schools could be made more friendly for students.
BIO: Leah Hodari is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in treating children, families, and adults who have experienced trauma or abuse or are dealing with multicultural and LGBTQ issues. She lives and works in Miami Beach, Florida. She applies Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, and PolyVagal principles to her practice.
Send an email to katherine@ksqd.org to be put in touch with Leah.
Show aired on October 21, 2023.
Intro music is Water over Stones and outro music is Everything both by Mood Science. Ambient music is created new every week by Rick Kleffel. The audio can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick Kleffel for also engineering the show and to Tony Russomano for answering the phones.
Contact Katherine Bell with feedback or suggestions for future shows at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow her on FB and IG @ExperientialDreamwork to find out about upcoming shows. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams with her go to ExperientialDreamwork.com.
The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Saturday mornings Pacific Time. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms and are released the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Now also available on PRX at Exchange.prx.org/series/45206-the-dream-journal
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