Humanistic Sandtray Therapy Institute

Sharing a picture of a colleague and HST trainee of mine. This training took place 10 years ago today! Every time I hold an HST training, it feels brand new to me.

Join me!

Join us for Humanistic Sandtray Therapy for Preadolescents 101: From Velveteen Rabbit to Skin Horse

📅 Friday, May 1, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
💻 Virtual | $100 | 3 Non-Contact CEs

“What is REAL?” the Rabbit asked the Skin Horse one day… “It doesn’t happen all at once. You become.”
— Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

This experiential workshop with Dr. Ryan D. Foster, PhD, LPC-S, CHST, RST-C/T offers counselors, counselors-in-training, and allied mental health professionals an accessible introduction to Humanistic Sandtray Therapy (HST) — a deeply relational, person-centered approach to sandtray work.

You’ll learn how to:
🌿 Describe the theoretical foundations of HST
🌿 Create a sandtray environment
🌿 Begin facilitating HST using a presence-centered approach

Register now!

https://empathywell.com/product/5-1-26-humanistic-sandtray-therapy-for-preadolescents-101-from-velveteen-rabbit-to-skin-horse/

(972) 498-1307
[email protected]

We totally overhauled our website! Check it out!

HST Institute - Humanistic Sandtray Therapy Institute Deepen your psychotherapy practice with a person-centered, experiential approach that meets clients in the here-and-now — and transforms how you work.

I had a superb and meaningful experience training this group of therapists in HST this weekend at our Level I training! Awesome group of humanistic sandtray therapists!

JUST ANNOUNCED! 2025 Level I and Level II/Advanced Trainings are now open for registration!

(P.S. The website is undergoing some remodeling so it looks a little funky on mobile devices right now)

Register for a Training in Humanistic Sandtray Therapy - Humanistic Sandtray Therapy Institute We will be offering a Level I and Level II/Advanced Training in HST during Summer 2024. Each training costs $295. HST Training Levels To become a Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist, Levels I and II//Advanced trainings are the basic educational requirements. Subsequently, trainees must complete....

Our new, refreshed logo!

Put the first layer of paint to represent sky and water in my new sand trays that I am prepping for our upcoming trainings!

So, has anybody started reading my new book? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Humanistic Sandtray Therapy: The Definitive Guide to Philosophy, Therapeutic Conditions, and the Real Relationship Humanistic Sandtray Therapy: The Definitive Guide to Philosophy, Therapeutic Conditions, and the Real Relationship provides a comprehensive exploration of the underlying theory, necessary skills, and practical applications behind Humanistic Sandtray Therapy (HST) based on a person-centered gestalt m...

The penultimate text designed to introduce clinicians to humanistic sandtray therapy is now available for purchase! Whether you are new to sandtray therapy or you’re an expert, this book is sure to enhance your sandtray practice with clients from late childhood to older adults!

Humanistic Sandtray Therapy: The Definitive Guide to Philosophy, Therapeutic Conditions, and the Real Relationship Humanistic Sandtray Therapy: The Definitive Guide to Philosophy, Therapeutic Conditions, and the Real Relationship provides a comprehensive exploration of the underlying theory, necessary skills, and practical applications behind Humanistic Sandtray Therapy (HST) based on a person-centered gestalt m...

Howdy, everyone! If you haven't bought my book yet -- here's your chance to get a nice discount if you pre-order with this discount code! It releases in less than a month!