2018, Vol.9, No.1

Journal of Symbols & Sandplay Therapy 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.44

pISSN : 2234-0556 / eISSN : 2288-5188
https://journal.kci.go.kr/sandplay

The study was conducted in Yanbian, China, where we analyzed the differences in symbolic expressions during sandplay therapy between ethnic Korean children living with their parents and ethnic Korean children living apart from their parents. The researcher selected 10 children who were living with their parents and 10 children who were living apart from their parents for sandplay therapy. These children participated in eight sandplay sessions of 40 minutes duration over a period of three weeks. We classified the differences in symbolic expressions into four different categories: use of figures, use of sand, use of space and process of sandplay. Although we did not set any specific themes, instead letting the children make their sand pictures as they wished, the two groups displayed different emotions toward their mothers and fathers. The participants also exhibited verbal and nonverbal differences as well as different attitudes toward sandplay therapy. These results demonstrates that sandplay therapy is an effective tool for therapeutic work with children in general who have problematic relationships with their parents.

This study found that child survivors of the 2015 Nepal earthquakes have suffered psychological trauma and unstable living conditions in the aftermath. Furthermore, if the children’s trauma is neglected, it is likely to be aggravated and become chronic until adulthood. Parent-child relationships are the first relationship that a child has, and parents and children tend to have a close relationship with each other. Through this relationship, the child grows and develops. Filial play therapy has proven to be effective as a psychological intervention program for children in parent-child relationships. This study examined the effects of filial play therapy on the somatization symptoms, parent-child interaction, and empathy ability of child survivors of the Nepal earthquakes. As a result, the children’s symptoms of somatization were found to have significantly decreased, and it was effective in enhancing parent-child interaction and parental empathy. We also analyzed the process of change through filial play therapy with the parents. As a result, we were able to see the process of change and understand the anxious minds of those parents tried to read their children’s minds.

This study analyzed the symbolic meanings of mirrors from the viewpoint of analytical psychology. This paper describes various symbolisms of mirrors that appear in eastern and western myths, fairy tales and other literature, and hence analyzes their symbolic meanings in sandplay therapy. Mirrors are significant objects that have existed throughout the history of mankind. In ancient East, mirrors were regarded as sacred objects having magical powers. They also symbolize water, in that they reflect the world and self, or the enlightened psyche. At the same time, however, they sometimes symbolize arrogance and vanity. Mirrors trigger self-awareness. Looking into our own unconscious enables us to become aware of the shadow and the persona, bring them to consciousness, and advance toward individuation. In other words, mirrors are closely related to human self-awareness and the following psychological and emotional elements, the concept of which is related to concept of individuation in analytical psychology.