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Where & When
An email confirmation will be sent just after you register. Please check spam/junk or promotions if you do not see the email.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 8:00am to 10:00am New York time
Class will be recorded for all registrants and available for viewing for one month.
This class will introduce marrying Focusing with Sandtray. A very brief history of Sandtray theories and practices will be discussed, accompanied by some understanding of how Sandtray‘s quite natural awakening of our felt senses can deepen, extend, and add to Focusing.
Two approaches to working with Focusing and Sandtray will be presented, and participants will engage in an experiential process that will deepen the understanding of how valuable marrying these two approaches can be.
Participants are asked to:
• Gather many small objects from a variety of sources, including nature, and place them within easy access during the class;
• Have a tray-like container available. Plastic storage containers or round plant bases work fine with or without sand, though it is preferable that the tray is ¼ inch full of sand;
• Bring a journal to record what emerges during the experiences.
Some experience with Focusing will be helpful. No experience in Sandtray is necessary. This class is intended for therapists though all are welcome to attend.
Format
We use Zoom videoconferencing for our online classes. In this webinar format, you will see the presenter and host, but you will not be seen. You will be able to ask questions during the webinar by typing them. Highlights presenters may at times invite a small number of participants to unmute or join them onscreen during the webinar (optional).
You will need to have a computer/mobile device. Calling in by phone is also possible but not preferred. All registered participants will be sent a link to the video recording approximately two weeks following the class. So if you are unable to attend the live webinar, you will still be able to view it for one month.
Bio
Deborah Armstrong, Ph.D., LMFT-S, RPT-S, REAT, REACE, CFP www.themindgardencentre.com
Deborah has been practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in expressive arts and play therapies for over three decades. She was first introduced to sandtray/sandplay by a supervisor in graduate school who was personally trained by Dora Kalff, who was a neighbor, friend, colleague, and analysand of Carl Jung.
Deborah was introduced to Focusing some twenty years ago by Dottie Higgins Klein, director and founder of the Family and Play Therapy Center, who trained with Eugene Gendlin and John Wellwood. Deborah recently earned her Focusing Professional Certification under the supervision of Tom Larkin, who is a member of the TIFI Board of Directors.
Focusing Highlights
The Focusing Highlights series highlights the work of those teaching, practicing and carrying forward Focusing all over the world. Presenters generously donate their time and participants pay what they can. If you are certified through The International Focusing Institute and would like to offer one, please check out this page.
Registration Information and Price
Deborah is offering this class to support The International Focusing Institute. This live online class is pay-what-you-can. The suggested payment for US residents is $30.
If you need to give less, that's fine, but we do require each participant to give something. Please give extra if you can! Thank you for supporting the Institute.
Refunds: A full refund minus a $15 administrative fee (regardless of the registration fee paid) for cancellations 14 days before the start date. Cancellations less than 14 days before the start date are nonrefundable.
Registration Policies: TIFI reserves the right to cancel, change and alter the program if necessary. The opinions offered by presenters and participants are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of TIFI. Participants authorize TIFI to use their name, statements and likeness without charge, for promotional purposes in publications, advertising, video, web, new media, or other formats. Please note that the class will be recorded and may be distributed to a wider audience. By registering for this course with the Institute, and in consideration of the right and opportunity to participate in and contribute to the Institute’s classes, for the purposes of its control of all video and/or audio recordings thereof pertaining to uses serving our purposes and goals, in enrolling in this session you acknowledge and agree to the Institute’s ownership of all rights in such classes, including all rights under copyright therein. In no circumstance shall any portion or clip posted or displayed exceed 3 minutes in duration. If you plan to use, post or display any portion or clips of these recordings, including posting these to a website or to a social media platform or portal, you agree that you will seek and obtain the prior approval of the Institute.
PLEASE NOTE: After registering, an email will be sent with the confirmation. If you don't see the email please check your Junk/Spam/Promotions folders.
Contact
Questions? [email protected]
Registration Information and Price
This live online class is pay-what-you-can. The suggested payment for US residents is $30. If you need to give less, that's fine, but we do require each participant to give something.