• International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Expressive Sandwork

    South Africa & Malaysia

    Boy: ... I realized that nobody was judging me.

    Boy: ... I realized that nobody was judging me.

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    表达性沙游工作

    China

    Girl: This project calmed me, I`m not as hasty and rash as before....

    Girl: This project calmed me, I`m not as hasty and rash as before....

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    الجمعية الدولية للعمل التعبيري بالرمل

    Palestine

    Boy: It mattered very much to me that somebody cared about me, even if she didn`t say so.

    Boy: It mattered very much to me that somebody cared about me, even if she didn`t say so.

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Expressive Sandarbeit

    Germany

    Volunteer: Now I am confident that children will find their way to what they need, that they have experiences that make them mature.

    Volunteer: Now I am confident that children will find their way to what they need, that they have experiences that make them mature.

     

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Trabajo Expresivo con Arena

    Colombia & Argentina

    Boy: During this project I could open up, unburden myself

    Boy: During this project I could open up, unburden myself

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Sandwork Expresiv

    Romania

    Girl: I won`t forget this project and when I'll grow up I will volunteer somewhere too.

    Girl: I won`t forget this project and when I'll grow up I will volunteer somewhere too.

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Sandwork Espressivo

    Italy

    Boy: We remain in silence to hear the voices we have inside?

    Boy: We remain in silence to hear the voices we have inside?

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Jeu de sable expressif

    France

    Girl: I enjoyed every step of the project. I wish to continue to be a part of it.

    Girl: I enjoyed every step of the project. I wish to continue to be a part of it.

  • International Association for Expressive Sandwork

    Expressive Sandwork for Ucrainian children

    After the projects in Donbass (2016 – February 2022),
    from May 2022 to May 2023 projects for refugees in Milan, ITALY

    dr. Vladislav Kunets (Jungian Psychoanalyst, Ucraine) &
    dr. Eva Pattis Zoja (Jungian Psychoanalyst, Italy, creator of Expressive Sandwork)

    dr. Vladislav Kunets (Jungian Psychoanalyst, Ucraine) &
    dr. Eva Pattis Zoja (Jungian Psychoanalyst, Italy, creator of Expressive Sandwork)

    Read more

xpressive Sandwork is a trans-cultural, non-verbal method of therapeutic care for situations in which individual psychotherapy is not available. It is based on the work of volunteers who are trained by certified IAES trainers and who are supported by the latter throughout the project. The method itself is an adaption of Margaret Lowenfeld's World Technique and Dora Kalff's Sandplay Therapy and is based on the theoretical foundations of C.G. Jung. It is especially designed for emergency situations, disaster settings and long term interventions in vulnerable communities.

Its goal is to help children and adults activate a process of psychological self-regulation, using their own creative potential.

Expressive Sandwork is a resource-oriented therapeutic method for children from age 5 to 15. It has been implemented successfully in ten countries of four different continents, in public and private institutions. Expressive Sandwork is based on free symbolic play, it is non-invasive, non-directive, non-verbal and therefore particularly intercultural: a wide range of children’s needs can be met. Expressive Sandwork is based on voluntary work: it is efficient, replicable, and sustainable.

  • xpressive Sandwork is a trans-cultural, non-verbal method of therapeutic care for situations in which individual psychotherapy is not available. It is based on the work of volunteers who are trained by certified IAES trainers and who are supported by the latter throughout the project. The method itself is an adaption of Margaret Lowenfeld's World Technique and Dora Kalff's Sandplay Therapy and is based on the theoretical foundations of C.G. Jung. It is especially designed for emergency situations, disaster settings and long term interventions in vulnerable communities.

    Its goal is to help children and adults to activate a process of psychological self regulation, using their own creative potential.
  • Deutsch

    xpressive Sandarbeit ist eine kulturübergreifende, nonverbale Methode in deren Mittelpunkt die Verarbeitung von traumatischen Erfahrungen steht. Sie wendet sich an die selbstheilenden Kräfte im Kind und Heranwachsenden und verzichtet bewusst auf eine Verbalisierung. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist diese Methode eine Chance, psychotherapeutisch wirksam zu werden ohne hindernde Sprachbarrieren. In inzwischen acht Ländern wird diese Arbeit erfolgreich durchgeführt. Frau Eva Pattis Zoja, Milano, hat diese Methode auf der Basis der Analytischen Psychologie C.G. Jungs in Fortführung des Sandspiels von Margarete Lowenfeld und Dora Kalff entwickelt. Es geht darum mit Hilfe eines Sandkastens, verschiedenster Materialien und Spielfiguren ein innerseelisches Erleben zur Darstellung zu bringen.
  • l Trabojo expresivo con arena es una método de apoyo psicológico grupal, de carácter prevalentemente no verbal, que emplea el juego en una caja de arena. Está dirigida a ninos y jóvenes que formen parte de comunidades en condición de vulnerabilidad o para situaciones de emergencia y desastre. Es puesta en rática en varios paises del mundo a partir del trabajo de voluntarios o facilitadores que son entrenados por formadores certificados de la IAES. El método es una adaptación de la Técnica del Mundo de Margaret Lowenfeld y de la Terapia del Juego de Arena de Dora Kalff y está basado en los fundamentos teóricos de C.G.Jung.

    El objetivo es permitir el surgimiento de imágenes que favorezcan la reconexión con los propios recursos y capacidades recurriendo al potencial creativo. Su base en procesos simbólicos, el acompanamiento empático y grupal, la constituyen en una herramienta transcultural.

Expressive Sandwork has helped a wide variety of children in different situations. Due to the constant emerging of projects, this directory could be incomplete. Nevertheless, it already refers to extreme suffering, which is why we ask you to read it with care. For further information, on the approach please consult the FAQ and Publications pages. All projects are listed under Contact.

IAES has offered Expressive Sandwork sessions to children and teenagers
  • with PTSD caused by the conflict in Donbass (Ukraine 2016 – 2022)
  • who are exposed to neglect, abandonment, domestic violence, and poverty in socially vulnerable neighborhoods
  • who live in criminal neighborhoods, “child headed families” (South Africa, Colombia, and Argentina).
  • who suffer from collective trauma because of war and forced migration (Palestine, Colombia, Malaysia, and Germany).
  • who suffer loss and grief from natural catastrophes (Earthquakes 2008 in Sichuan Province, China; 2009 in Tibet and 2011 in Italy).
  • with special mental needs (China and Colombia).
  • with special physical needs; for example children with cleft lip and cleft palate syndrome (Bogotà, Medellin, Kali – Colombia).
  • with special educational needs (Romania).
  • having been exposed to sex traffic and prostitution (Colombia and Malaysia).
  • with life-limiting illnesses (Colombia).
  • with chronic illnesses (diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal problems) and consequently hospitalizations for several months: (Colombia).
  • waiting for adoption (Colombia and Argentina).
  • destined to remain in orphanages and child-care centers until adult age (Palestine, Romania, and China).

new movie - A MILLION GRAINS OF SAND


Read more

A MILLION GRAINS OF SAND follows the extraordinary journey taken by Eva Pattis Zoja, committed to emergency interventions. An earthquake in China, the Yazidi genocide at the hands of the ISIS, the War in Ukraine. The groundbreaking, non-verbal therapy allows victims to express the unspeakable. As she delves into in the subconscious of those who survived global conflicts, the documentary reflects on the nature of the psychic trauma itself and on its tendency to be passed on from generation to generation. Alongside this, the film explores Eva’s personal roots, revealing the links between her treatment mission and the shadows from the past relating to the 2nd World War. Through moving testimonies, moments of vulnerability and and striking revelations, “A MILLION GRAINS OF SAND” offers an intimate look at the power of therapy, memory and human resilience in extreme contexts.

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Corso Sempione 39
20100 Milano

IBAN IT32F0521601628000000001030
BIC: BPCVIT2S