Sandplay Therapy Symposium 2026
Uncovering Mysteries in the Sand
4 and 5 August, 9am-5pm – an in-person event
The Parnell Hotel & Conference Centre – 10/20 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
A two-day Symposium exploring the ways Jungian sandplay therapy heals by creating a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious, connecting body, psyche, ego and the Self. Through case examples, we witness this healing process in the sandtrays of adults and children. An opportunity to discuss the clinical application of sandplay therapy.
PROGRAMME
Sensing, shaping, moving: Hands in the sand Joy Norton
The shadow in sandtrays of adults and children Sarah Gibson with Carina Conradie
The Hallowed Cow: Ultimate provider of maternal riches Carina Conradie
The mystery of the self and the numinous in sandplay Sarah Gibson
Kapowai the dragonfly: Mystery, illusion, shadow and guardian Jean Parkinson
If the shoe fits: Working with the Cinderella fairy story Sarah Gibson
Creating a symbol for your collection (practical workshop) Jean Parkinson
In-person small group supervision half-day Wednesday 5 August, afternoon option
An opportunity for Jungian Sandplay Practitioners to present sandplay case material in a small group with two STANZA/ISST Teaching Members. (Limited numbers).
PRESENTERS
Carina Conradie is a clinical psychologist based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Originally from South Africa where she registered as an educational psychologist in 1995, her family immigrated to New Zealand in 2003 to pursue a career in dairy farming – her practice is on the farm, overlooking green paddocks. She became a certified independent member of ISST in 2016 and a teaching member in 2020. Sandplay is her main therapeutic modality with children, adolescents and adults. Carina offers sandplay personal process and training, individual and group supervision.
Sarah Gibson works as a Jungian Analyst (ANZSJA) and Sandplay Therapist (ISST) in private practice in Sydney. She has been working as a psychotherapist and sandplay therapist with adults for over 35 years, completing her Jungian analytic training with ANZSJA in 2003. As a Training Analyst Sarah teaches and supervises analytic trainees. She became a Certified Member of ISST in 2013 and a Teaching Member in 2017. Sarah has a particular interest in sandplay, story and creativity. Sarah is also an artist and filmmaker.
Jean Parkinson is a Registered Art Psychotherapist (ANZACATA) in private practice in Auckland, NZ Certified as an independent CST in 2016; CST-T in 2019. While previously working with children, adolescents and families for over 30 years, she currently works primarily with adults in Sandplay Therapy. She has a specific interest in attachment, trauma, neuro-development, and has experience in child protection, education, clinical supervision and natural disaster response. Jean is the founder of Sandplay Aotearoa.
Joy Norton is a Jungian Analyst, Training Analyst and Counselling Psychologist in private practice in Melbourne. She is the immediate past President of The Australian and New Zealand Society of Jungian Analysts. She has been engaged with analytic training for over 20 years and has an interest in the experience of the body in the analytic encounter, co-creative processes in analytic practice, and the ways image, story and psyche commune in sandplay to facilitate the unfolding and development of imagination and psychological healing. Joy has presented papers in the field nationally and internationally.
Presentations are by internationally accredited Certified Sandplay Therapy Teaching Members of STANZA/ ISST and Jungian colleagues, all with many years of clinical experience, working with children, adolescents, adults and families with varied presentations across a range of settings, locally and internationally.
REGISTRATION
Open to all STANZA Members and Sandplay practitioners. Other allied clinicians interested in Jungian Sandplay Therapy are welcome. 11 Learning hours for ISST/STANZA Accreditation.
Two-day Sandplay Symposium: NZ$530 (Early Bird NZ$500 by Friday 1 May).
Limited places so register your interest at: sandplaysymposiumauckland2026@gmail.com
CLICK HERE to download the brochure