KJC Korea
Journal Central

In this article, we discuss the numinosity of play in terms of the origin or unique essentiality of play based on analytical psychology, rather than the evolutionary necessity of it in terms of only biological instinct or innate nature, or as something instilled through education. Attempts to explain play in this way lead to the conclusion that play is healing, and play has a powerful relationship with healing in psychotherapy. We also discuss the still point experience and transference- countertransference and the relationship between the therapist and client regarding intersubjectivity, which are concepts related to the numinosity of play. In conclusion, the essentiality of play, which has an archetypal origin, is numinous and divine and has the ultimate teleology of integration and healing of personality, namely individuation. Other people in close relationships perceive the constellation of archetypal energies in an individual because of the working principle of archetype, and all humankind universally shares it and constellates archetypal energy to the other. This, of course, happens in therapeutic relationships, and finally it brings healing to both the client and therapist involved in archetypal play.

The authors analyzed the effects of group sandplay therapy on the psychological health and resilience of adolescent survivors 16 months after the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and explored the themes these adolescents expressed during counseling. Group sandplay was found to have significantly decreased the adolescents’ internalizing problems such as anxiety/depression and withdrawal/depression, while their resilience had also significantly improved. The narrative analysis in turn yielded seven themes: magical wish fulfillment/hope for recovery; direct expression of danger of disaster; relationship with gods revealing human’s identity; desire for protection and care from danger and damage in reality; recovering the order of life from chaos; creation of a new world from the chaotic world; and return to their normal daily life.

This study aimed to heal the experience of attachment trauma and promote the self-development and growth of children through sandplay therapy. We conducted 17 sessions over 6 months with a school-age child, and we include 17 sand photos from these sessions. This child had not separated from the mother because of unstable attachment, which delayed their self-development towards autonomy and independence. The child could not express their feelings and intentions voluntarily and had a strong tendency to depend on the mother, which limited the experience of positive communication with other children at school. In improving self-relationships along with self-development while playing with sand, the child improved their ability to form intimate relationships. Through the experience of the relationship with the therapist, the child resolved and adapted to the conflict in their social environment while maintaining stable emotions. As a result, the child showed positive changes in their ability to accept themselves and others, developed emotional regulation, and improved school adaptation.

In this study, we examined the co-transference experiences of sandplay therapists. We applied the descriptive phenomenological method developed by Amedeo Giorgi. To begin with, we interviewed seven therapists and analyzed the data. Of the 800 semantic units identified, we used 540 of them, excluding the repetitive, or those deviating from context. By comparing these items, we identified 116 meanings. We structured three components and 10 sub-components based on the central meanings. The components comprised the co-transference experience, while the sub-components contained 48 semantic units. In our interviews, we noted that the participants were placing their clients’ sand scenes in the center of their statements. Thus, the pairs had fused with the sand trays and healed each other’s wounds. The total structure of empathy and healing made up co-transference.

Glass is a material with transparency and sparkling characteristics and is used in various ways in life. Glass is born from sand. It is glass that sand is reborn as an artwork through an alchemy change process. The sand is calcified by strong heat, and it is re-created as a new work of art, glass, experiencing sublimation, corruption and separation through melting and coagulation. This study aims to examine the journey of female clients in their late 40s to heal their trauma and find creativity, as in the process of alchemy change that becomes glass in sand.The purpose of this study is to examine the symbolism of glass, which shows the process of the client recognizing and healing his inner trauma through sand play therapy and moving toward creative life, from an analytical psychological point of view.