Become a Sandtray Compass Certified Professional with Distinctive Learning!

Welcome to the Sandtray Compass Program! I (Vanessa Fawn Colburn) developed this program with you in mind-seeking flexible humility, a growth mindset and encouragement to connect to your own North Star in the vastness of Sandtray experiences.

The program is comprised of four levels. The first level, our North point on our professional compass, is designed to ground us in foundational counseling skills. The second level, East, builds upon foundations to explore more advanced skills. The third level, South, creates opportunities for deeper practice experiences, training on different populations and presenting case conceptualizations to a small group. The final level, our West facing perspective, will include a capstone project, short presentation and certification.

There is no current national accrediting body for Sandtray Professionals, so it is important to know about your instructor, their training, and experiences.

Why become a Distinctive Sandtray Professional?

2024 Cohort Applications Closed

Choosing your sandtray training program can feel overwhelming. At Distinctive, we are unique in our approach to teaching, learning, and growing. By taking your next step with us, you can expect a compassionate, engaging, and collaborative approach to your learning journey!

At Distinctive, you will be eligible to earn LPC continuing education units when you engage in V. Fawn’s Sandtray Compass Program.

  • ● Master’s degree or higher in a helping profession

    ● In good standing with licensing board or regulating body

    ● Willing to engage in a growth mindset experience

    ● Complete program application

    ● Each level must be completed consecutively unless reciprocity with another training is approved

    Textbooks required

    ○ Level 1: Sandtray Therapy, 4th Edition

    ○ Level 2: Advanced Sandtray Therapy

    ○ Level 3: Sandtray Applications to Trauma Therapy

  • ● Training within the past 5 years (2019) or sooner

    ● Be willing to submit an objectives list and the name of the trainer

    ● Be willing to look at Sandtray Compass Levels and create the associated trays in those levels and write a short reflective paper expressing their understanding of the content. An individual session is required to review the material, with three CEUs awarded and fee TBD.

    ● Transfers can be requested for level one or two only. A maximum of 18 units are transferred with the completion of a minimum of 50 units with the Sandtray Compass Program to qualify for certification.

  • ● 68 CE Units total

    ● Level 1: 12 CEUs Face to Face/In-Person Februray 2nd & 3rd, 9am-3pm; 6 CEUs Online March 19th 5:30-7:30pm+post

    ● Level 2: 12 CEUs Face to Face/In-Person, April 5th & 6th, 9am-3pm; 6 CEUs Online April 24th, 5:30-7:30pm+post

    ● Level 3: 14 CEUs Online May 21st, June 18th, July 16th, 5:30pm-7:30pm + reflection posts;

    ● Level 4: 12 CEUs Face to Face/In-person August 2nd & 3rd, 9am-3pm

  • A full refund, minus a $50 processing fee, will be issued if a request is made in writing (email), at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the training session. Refunds may take up to 3-4 weeks to process. The Sandtray Compass Program reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment, inclement weather, instructor illness, instructor family emergency, or some other unforeseen event. Notice will be provided at the earliest possible date via email with the option to reschedule for a future training date or to receive a full refund of paid workshop fees.

    Certificates can be awarded only when the training is attended in full. In case of medical or family issues, makeup work may be arranged on an individual basis at an hourly consultation rate.