Dear Sandplay Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite your participation in the 27^th ISST Congress in the Netherlands.

Our congress theme CHANGING HORIZONS: ENCOUNTERING THE OTHER IN SANDPLAY THERAPY invites sandplay therapists to contemplate our rapidly changing world and the increasing onus of the healing professions to sustain hope and foster resilience through the accommodation of “otherness” in meaningful ways.

“Otherness” manifests in various forms: the body, play, the Self, the dark side of the Self, the Numinous, cultural complexes, mythology, inner and outer nature, disease, synchronistic events, diversity, intergenerational trauma, anima and animus, hope, affect, neuroscience, transference, and counter-transference. All these experiences of otherness can be explored and related to within the temenos of Sandplay Therapy.

To optimize our meetings with what is “Other” – whether intrapsychic, between us, or in the broader world – our capacity for differentiation needs to be complemented with an attitude of inclusiveness.  Such engagements may prompt understanding, insights, growth, and healing if contained within a safe and protected space.

We especially encourage colleagues who work with children to share their experiences of “Encountering the Other” through a Sandplay lens. We are keen to learn from you how young people are experiencing the challenges they face and how they find healing by engaging with the Other in Jungian Sandplay Therapy – the sand, archetypal symbols and/or the therapist.

We look forward to expanding the horizons of Jungian Sandplay Therapy together with you.

The Organizing Committee

Theresa Foks-Appelman
J.C.Hees-Stauthamer Ph.D.
John Paulet
Braam Beetge
Mariane Molbech
Retha Roux