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Overview:

NSST brings together for the first time, three critically important features to therapy working with populations with underlying past relational and acute trauma:

  • It is a practical application of the latest research in neuroscience to the imaging offered by the sand tray and figurines.

  • It brings an updated and well-respected body of humanistic counselling therapy theory and practice from Virginia Satir into the process of working with the images in the sand tray.

  • It outlines and details a design for a new interventionist role for the therapist/counsellor beyond talk therapy in harnessing the creativity, imagination and playfulness of the sand tray and the novel metaphors that the figurines express.

The combination of these three approaches has given rise to a new psychotherapeutic approach which is able to transform default patterns of coping behaviors at a genetic level which in turn reorganizes the nervous system.


  • Origins and more information about NSST™

    Besel van der Kolk has said that 30% of trauma can be transformed through talk therapy. What about the other 70%? Neuroscience research says that the impact of our experiences is primarily sequestered in the implicit memory. Most of the impacts of traumatic experiences are stored in the form of energy patterns with no words attached to them. That is why talk therapy is limited as it is unable to access these wordless unconscious experiences. The work of transforming the impact of traumatic events must use imagination, and creativity to access the embodied experiences and the subsequent default defenses that have arisen. The figurines resonate with the sequestered energy and once externalized in the sand tray can be changed, moved and new decision can be made about what is to be internalized providing a new way of being.

    Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray does this very effectively when combined with authentic attunement and co-regulation, on the part of the therapist. Evidence-based research has shown that it is profound quick and lasting.Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray combines Virginia Satir’s great contribution to 20th century psychotherapy with two other conceptual areas, namely the most recent neuroscience and a new way using the sand tray and figurines. De Little’s particular use of the sand tray offers ways for the psychotherapist to fully harness the potential of the client’s imagination, creativity and play. Her incorporation of the latest developments in neuroscience accesses the power of the novel metaphor, right-brain to right-brain attunement, and epigenetics.

    This work is about creating an internal sense of safety for the client. The therapy begins between the therapist and the client as they explore together the client’s experiences through the metaphorical expressions elicited by the figurines. The client is then able to recognize the special gifts of their presenting problematic ways of keeping safe. Subsequently the client can use the figurines to explore and transform these no longer useful defenses into a more integrated and balanced authentic Self.

Endorsements for this Course

  • "Solidly grounded in recent research on right brain-to-right brain communications in the therapeutic alliance, on the dissociative defense, and on the central role of intersubjective play in the externalized expression of the patient’s internal emotional life, Madeleine De Little offers a creative, pragmatic model of the interpersonal neurobiological change mechanisms of sand tray therapy.

    I highly recommend the work of this gifted clinician to therapists looking to enhance their clinical skills in working more effectively in reenactments of attachment dynamics in both child and adult psychotherapy."

    Allan Schore, Ph.D.
    Author, Right Brain Psychotherapy and The Science of the Art of Psychotherapy

    ⎯ ⎯ ⎯

  • "Dr. Madeleine De Little's online course presents psychotherapists with a remarkable training and certification opportunity! No other program offers the unique combination of play and creativity, combined with brain research, all within a highly relational approach toward healing trauma."

    Terry Marks-Tarlow, Ph.D.
    Well-known psychologist, speaker and author of numerous papers and books on nonlinear science, creativity, play and clinical intuition.

    ⎯ ⎯ ⎯

  • “This training has moved me to think outside of what I have learned about traditional ways of counseling and challenge those ways and ultimately use the sand tray and neuroscience … I will tell my colleagues how transformational this training was and how useful this is for everyone, not just school-aged children.”

    Previous Workshop Participant

Who is the course for?


Those who are in the helping profession, like:
• Therapists
• Counsellors in private practice /agencies
• School counsellors
• Social workers
• Psychologists
• Medical personnel doing therapy
• Student counsellors



  • In order to participate in the course, and become certified
    you must:

  • Have some knowledge and experience of the Satir Transformative Systemic Therapeutic Model.

  • Have personal liability insurance to practice counseling.

  • Have a clean criminal record check or a self-declaration of no criminal charges, previous offenses, etc.

Course Elements

  • Live Sessions

    12
    2-Hour Training Sessions with Dr. Madeleine De Little

    12
    2-Hour Practice Sessions with Fellow Certificate Students

    6
    Interactive, Mentor-Led Discussion Sessions

    2
    (minimum)
    One-on-One Sessions with Dr. Madeleine De Little
    * additional fee applies

  • Course Also Includes


    • Pre-Recorded video content from Dr. Madeleine De Little

    • Academic Resources from other Leading Researchers and Authors

    • 90-day Access to all Recorded Sessions and Content after completion of certificate.

    • Lifetime access to NSST online discussion community

  • Online Community


    As a student in the Foundations Certificate Course, you will have access to the exclusive community of fellow students and instructors.

    • Connect with and learn from fellow students

    • Collaborate on group practice assignments

    • Receive personalized feedback from Dr. Madeleine De Little

You will be learning and experiencing with both hemispheres the following:

  • Deepening our understanding of our own attachment / defensive style(s) and creating space to explore our authentic presence.

  • Slowing down the sand tray process to develop a deep understanding of the icebergs of each figurine and how to elicit the special gifts and positive intentions of the clients’ defenses.

  • Shedding light on our own ‘shadows’ using NSST. Our own personal growth is essential because we use our ‘selves’ as a central tool in therapy.light

N. AMERICA / EUROPE SECTION
Live Meeting Schedule

Each 4-hour session consists of 2 hours of lesson and demonstration and 2 hours of small-group practice.

SESSION NORTH AMERICA EUROPE
Cohort Introduction
& Welcome		 APR 22
9a - 10a PST 		APR 22
6p -7p CET 
Session 1 - (2 Days) MAY 20 & 21
8a - 12p PST 		MAY 20 & 21
5p -9p CET 
Session 2 - (2 Days) JUN 3 & 4
8a - 12p PDT 		JUN 3 & 4 
5p -9p CEST 
Session 3 - (2 Days) JUL 8 & 9
8a - 12p PDT 		JUL 8 & 9
5p - 9p CEST
Session 4 - (2 Days) SEP 16 & 17
8a - 12p PDT 		SEP 16 & 17
5p - 9p CEST
Session 5 - (2 Days) OCT 21 & 22
8a - 12p PDT 		OCT 21 & 22
5p - 9p CEST
Session 6 - (2 Days) NOV 18 & 19
8a - 12p PDT 		NOV 18 & 19
5p - 9p CEST
Cohort Wrap-Up DEC 9
8a - 10a PST 		DEC 9
5p - 7p CEST

There are 6 optional mentor-led study sessions between the required sessions. These dates are:

May 27;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
June 17;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
July 22;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
September 9;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
October 14;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
November 11;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST

Find out when this happens in YOUR local time:

Time converter at worldtimebuddy.com

Learning Objectives

(click next to each session to learn more)

  • ⎯ Session 1 ⎯
    What the Autonomic Defenses look like in the Sand Tray and How to Transform Them

    1️⃣Describe 3 key aspects of right brain to right brain therapeutic relationship
    2️⃣Explain significances of the vertical and horizontal integration outcome of NSST
    3️⃣Identify 2 aspects of the concept and power of the novel metaphor
    4️⃣Identify differences between misattunement and attunement between client and therapist

  • ⎯ Session 2 ⎯
    How to Transform Loss & Grief

    1️⃣Explain and compare two possible ways of to transform loss in the sand tray
    2️⃣List and describe the stages of grief & facts about grief
    3️⃣Describe and discuss what is unresolved grief
    4️⃣List and analyze three myths about grief
    5️⃣Compare and analyze two paths to transforming the defenses that develop from loss of safety

  • ⎯ Session 3 ⎯
    How to Transform Anxiety & Depression

    1️⃣Describe what is depression and list four types of causes
    2️⃣Explain and analyze Generalized Anxiety
    3️⃣List and explain three aspects of how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder works
    4️⃣Predict and discuss two ways to transform anxiety and depression in the sand tray

  • ⎯ Session 4 ⎯
    How to Transform Trauma

    1️⃣List and explain three major features of trauma
    2️⃣Describe and explain the relationship the role of implicit memory in trauma
    3️⃣DIscuss and analyze the importance of accessing the right brain
    4️⃣Identify and explain two scenarios of the impact of epigenetics and early trauma on attachment style

  • ⎯ Session 5⎯
    How to Transform Shame

    1️⃣List and describe three aspect of shame
    2️⃣Describe and compare two scenarios of transforming shame In the sand tray
    3️⃣Discuss and explain two scenarios of transforming shame in the sand tray
    4️⃣Identify and discuss two unique aspects of chronic shame and its impact

  • ⎯ Session 6⎯
    How to Work with Children & Families

    1️⃣Identify and discuss three challenges of working with children and how words can’t reach their experience
    2️⃣Describe two scenarios for using the sand tray when working with families and couples
    3️⃣Identify and explain three ways to ask about love language and intimacy
    4️⃣Analyze and compare the difference between working with families with children versus working with couples

About the Instructor

Madeleine De Little

PhD, RTC, MTC, RCS., CCC

Dr. De Little is the recipient of the 2021 Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Counsellor Practitioner Award. She is a highly regarded psychotherapist who achieves extraordinary results. She has designed an approach that puts clients, without words, in touch with the deeply buried impact of past trauma through images created with figurines in the sand tray. Right brain to right brain psychotherapy and working in the metaphor bring about epigenetic change. Well-formulated process questions of the figurines based on the Satir Model give words to the newly emerging Self.

Dr. De Little teaches Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray (NSST)™ in Canada, China, Thailand, Singapore, Slovakia, the USA and the Czech Republic. She presents at international conferences and is a Senior Faculty Member of the Banmen Satir China Management Centre. She is a counsellor for the First Nations Health Authority and the Criminal Victims Assistance Program and a founding member of Playful Dyads, a group dedicated to bringing right brain to right brain practice to the forefront of modern psychotherapy.

CE Certificates

A CE certificate will be issued for an additional $20 charge for this course. Instructions for purchasing CE certificates will be emailed separately prior to the course start - and will be available for purchase during the training period. Certificates will be issued after the full training is completed. Continuing Education Certificates must be purchased within thirty (30) days of the training's conclusion. 

CANADA
The Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association will grant and provide 48 CE Units for this training program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is required for acceptance into this course?

    • You must have some knowledge and experience of the Satir Transformative Systemic Therapeutic Model.

    • You must be in the helping profession, like social workers, counsellors in private practice /agencies, psychologists, school counsellors, medical personnel doing therapy.

    • You must have personal liability insurance to practice counseling.

    • You must have a clean criminal record check or a self-declaration of no criminal charges, previous offenses etc.

    Additional Requirements:

    • You must purchase Dr. De Little’s book "Where Words Can’t Reach: Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray"
    Buy: Hard Copy | Buy: Digital eBook

    • You must understand and speak English.

    • You must have access to a sand tray and figurines.

    • You must be willing to work online using the sand tray with people from other parts of the world.

    • You must have technology etc. for video calls and access to Zoom.

  • What is the total course cost?

    The total course fee is $2500 USD. The course fee will be collected in 5 automatic monthly payments of $500 USD.

    There is a $50 non-refundable course application fee. If accepted into the course, this fee will be applied towards the total course fee

  • Will I receive Continuing Education Credit for this training course?

    A CE certificate will be issued for an additional $20 charge for this course. Instructions for purchasing CE certificates will be emailed separately prior to the course start - and will be available for purchase during the training period. Certificates will be issued after the full training is completed. Continuing Education Certificates must be purchased within thirty (30) days of the training's conclusion. 

    CANADA
    The Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association will grant and provide 48 CE Units for this training program. 

  • Needs-Based Scholarship Details

    We want to ensure that a broad range of students are able to participate in this course. Playful Dyads will be offering a limited number needs-based scholarships for those students in need of financial aid for this training. These scholarships will be considered and offered on an individual case by case basis depending on the level of need shared by the applicant.

    If you feel that you qualify for this type of enrollment, please apply to the course and add your scholarship justification request during the application process. Note: the $50 USD non-refundable application fee still applies for this type of enrollment and would go towards the course fee if accepted. Acceptance into the course does not require immediate payment - allowing accepted students to request additional funding outside of Playful Dyads.

    The deadline for scholarship application is January 15, 2022. The deadline for course registration and initial payment is February 1, 2022. Please contact Playful Dyads directly if you require accommodations outside of these deadlines.

  • How are payments collected?

    The 5 course payments are collected automatically using the payment method on file that was used when you first registered for the course. The payment collections will occur over 5 consecutive months beginning on the date you registered for the course. You will receive a separate receipt each month when a successful payment is made.

  • When are the Live Training Sessions?

    SESSION NORTH AMERICA EUROPE
    Cohort Introduction
    & Welcome    		 APR 22
    9a - 10a PST     		APR 22
    6p -7p CET 
    Session 1 - (2 Days) MAY 20 & 21
    8a - 12p PST     		MAY 20 & 21
    5p -9p CET 
    Session 2 - (2 Days) JUN 3 & 4
    8a - 12p PDT     		JUN 3 & 4 
    5p -9p CEST 
    Session 3 - (2 Days) JUL 8 & 9
    8a - 12p PDT     		JUL 8 & 9
    5p - 9p CEST
    Session 4 - (2 Days) SEP 16 & 17
    8a - 12p PDT     		SEP 16 & 17
    5p - 9p CEST
    Session 5 - (2 Days) OCT 21 & 22
    8a - 12p PDT     		OCT 21 & 22
    5p - 9p CEST
    Session 6 - (2 Days) NOV 18 & 19
    8a - 12p PDT     		NOV 18 & 19
    5p - 9p CEST
    Cohort Wrap-Up DEC 9
    8a - 10a PST     		DEC 9
    5p - 7p CEST

    There are 6 optional mentor-led study sessions between the required sessions. These dates are:

    May 27;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
    June 17;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
    July 22;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
    September 9;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
    October 14;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST
    November 11;  9 - 10:30a PDT / 6 - 7:30p CEST

    Find out when this happens in YOUR local time:

    Time converter at worldtimebuddy.com

  • What if I have a conflict one of the meeting times? Am I expected to attend all live training sessions?

    While yes, we hope you can attend all live training sessions, we understand that you may have a conflict. In order to be eligible for your certificate, you are required to attend 80% of all live training and practice sessions.

    If you know you will not be able to make a particular training session, please discuss with Dr. De Little your specific situation prior to the session you will miss.

  • Will there be a recording of the training sessions?

    Yes, all of the training sessions will be recorded and available shortly after the live training session occurred on the online learning platform. These recordings are not intended to replace live engagement and class participation.

    You will have access to the recordings and all other course materials for 90 days past our final live training session.

  • Can I pay in my local currency instead of $USD?

    Unfortunately, no, our payment processor only allows for payments to be made in $USD.