2026 Sandtray Summit

Call for Proposals

2026 IAST Sandtray Summit Theme: 

Racing Toward the Summit:  Unbridled Resilience - The Power of Sandtray and Perseverance


Location: The Galt House Hotel
140 N Fourth St

Louisville, KY 40202


Dates: Saturday April 25th - Sunday April 26th, 2026

(Special Pre-Conference Day on Friday April 24th)

2026 IAST Sandtray Summit Theme: 

Racing Toward the Summit:  Unbridled Resilience - The Power of Sandtray and Perseverance


Location: The Galt House Hotel
140 N Fourth St

Louisville, KY 40202


Dates: Saturday April 25th - Sunday April 26th, 2026

(Special Pre-Conference Day on Friday April 24th)

Important Dates

Summit: April 25th - 26th, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: August 31, 2025
Proposal Decision Letters: Emailed by October 31, 2025
Presenter Summit Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026

Summit:

April 25th - 26th, 2026


Proposal Submission Deadline: 

August 31, 2025


Proposal Decision Letters: 

Emailed by October 31, 2025


Presenter Summit Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026

Click the link below to access the online form.

Click here for the Program Proposal Guidelines

This year, the ultimate sandtray therapy event designed to not just deepen your sandtray therapy skills, but also refresh your spirit is going VIRTUAL for the first time ever!

Spend two days immersed in the world of sandtray. Learn new skills from a diverse group of instructors and have the most sandtray fun you've ever experienced!

Unfortunately, we can't join each other in-person because of COVID-19, but we (IAST) are giving you a first-rate, hands-on, interactive virtual experience!

Everything is designed to help you remember why you love sandtray therapy and being a therapist, all while you earn CE's.

Sign Up For Updates

We know you're exhausted....

Just like last year's Sandtray Summit, our virtual summit is designed to be a place of rest and to rejuvenate your passion for therapy.

The Sandtray Virtual Summit is not just going to be you sitting in front of a computer for 2-days....

It's a LIVE, interactive, life changing experience that will have you walking away with increased confidence in your sandtray skills and connections to like-minded sandtray enthusiasts - all without wearing a mask!

Not only will his virtual event renew and refresh you as a therapist, you'll also experience new and exciting ways to combat Zoom Fatigue for yourself and clients in your individual therapy sessions.

So you get amazing sandtray training + the experience of creative ways of interacting with your clients virtually.

We know you're exhausted....

Just like last year's Sandtray Summit, our virtual summit is designed to be a place of rest and to rejuvenate your passion for therapy.

The Sandtray Virtual Summit is not just going to be you sitting in front of a computer for 2-days....

It's a LIVE, interactive, life changing experience that will have you walking away with increased confidence in your sandtray skills and connections to like-minded sandtray enthusiasts - all without wearing a mask!

Not only will his virtual event renew and refresh you as a therapist, you'll also experience new and exciting ways to combat Zoom Fatigue for yourself and clients in your individual therapy sessions.

So you get amazing sandtray training + the experience of creative ways of interacting with your clients virtually.

The Sandtray Summit Virtual Event

is more than your average conference experience

We know that you miss going to events right now ... and we do too!

That's why we decided to go all-in on this year's Sandtray Summit Virtual Event and pack in as much inspiration, connection, and mind-blowing knowledge as possible (and of course, there will be a few surprises along the way)!

The best part?

This years virtual event means no long flights, no travel arrangements, no forgetting things at home, no rental cars, no waiting in line at customs or at the hotel coffee shop.

Roll out of bed and join us ... even in your PJ's if you want!

Just set aside two days to be with us and this will be an online event experience we think will top most of the in-person events you've attended.

Best of all, you'll get all the knowledge, know-how, and inspiration to make massive progress in your sandtray journey!

Shauna Young, LMFT, RIST, CDWF- Candidate 

Sabra Starnes, LICSW, LCSW-C, RPT-S

Ashley Garrett, LPC-S, RPT-S, Ed.S.

Nidhi Kirpalani, MSc, ICST-P

Shauna Young, LMFT, RIST, CDWF- Candidate 

Sabra Starnes, LICSW, LCSW-C, RPT-S

Nidhi Kirpalani, MSc, ICST-P

Ashley Garrett, LPC-S, RPT-S, Ed.S.

Get ready for special guests and diverse instructors that only come together during the Sandtray Summit

We have 15+ breakout sessions featuring sandtray therapists from varaious backgrounds. They will teach you all about the most important topics you need to know to reach your clients, across all presenting issues such as using sandtray with

  • telehealth,
  • trauma,
  • abuse,
  • diversity,
  • EMDR,
  • Daring greatly 

PLUS MANY MORE SPECIAL TOPICS!!

Check Out The Schedule Below!

Day 1: November 6th 2021

Day 2: November 7th 2021

Do You Want More? Become a VIP!

We have a couple of VIP spots remaining. Don't miss out, purchase your VIP pass today, we really do only have a couple spots left!

Tell Me More About The VIP Benefits!
Become a VIP
Become a VIP
Tell Me More About The VIP Benefits!

Shauna Young, LMFT, RIST, CDWF- Candidate 

Sabra Starnes, LICSW, LCSW-C, RPT-S

Ashley Garrett, LPC-S, RPT-S, Ed.S.

Nidhi Kirpalani, MSc, ICST-P

Meet our Keynote speakers!

Amy Flaherty

Amy is a Licensed Professional Examiner. She is also a RPT, Registered Play Therapist; ICST-P, Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist-Provider; President of IAST, International Association for Sandtray Therapy and a Certified Daring Way Facilitator.

Lisa Dion

Lisa is an international teacher, author, coach and entrepreneur. She is a LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor; RPT-S, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor and is at the cutting edge of her field creating new and innovative models of therapy with children and adults.

SPECIAL BONUS FOR THE SANDTRAY SUMMIT VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

All attendees will receive recordings of all of the breakouts.

What this means for you: You don't have to pick and choose between amazing breakouts - you can watch them ALL.

This BONUS has never been offered before but we're providing this to enhance your  Sandtray Summit Virtual experience.

It's Like Four Events in One!

We listened to your feedback from last year and we have implemented many more breakouts and a wide variety of options so you can choose your own adventure to suit where you are on your sandtray journey.

Basics

Adults

Children

Special Populations

No matter where you are on your sandtray journey, you'll be able to hop in and connect with like-minded therapists within each breakout session.

But wait there's more ...

Because we're dedicated to making this virtual event a true experience ...

we're sending out a special swag box to the first 200 people who register!

Although all the Swag Boxes have been reserved, you will still receive everything available digitally and have an AMAZING experience at the Sandtray Summit

Although we can't be together in person, we can still connect and enjoy the power of sandtray therapy together.  The swag box contains a ton of surprises that will enhance your Sandtray Summit Virtual Experience.

We're also going to send you a small sandtray and 30+ miniatures so you have everything you need to do your own sandtrays and process them with your partners during each breakout session.

AND! We've included

4 GOLDEN TICKETS

Across the 200 boxes that will lead to extra experiences and prizes for those lucky enough to get the golden ticket in their box!

Save my seat and send my swag!

The bottom line

If you're a sandtray lover, or even just interested in learning more about sandtray ... you DO NOT want to miss the first ever Sandtray Summit Virtual Experience.

There's nothing than getting together, LIVE, with other sandtray nerds. You'll get more motivation, inspiration, and ideas to expand your sandtray practice. What you learn at this event, will spark something that could change your therapy life forever.

We are better together.

The Sandtray Summit Experience is the ultimate, interactive virtual experience that's been designed to help you go deeper and learn more about sandtray therapy.

Remember the power of sandtray therapy for all ages.

The bottom line

If you're a sandtray lover, or even just interested in learning more about sandtray ... you DO NOT want to miss the first ever Sandtray Summit Virtual Experience.

There's nothing than getting together, LIVE, with other sandtray nerds. You'll get more motivation, inspiration, and ideas to expand your sandtray practice. What you learn at this event, will spark something that could change your therapy life forever.

We are better together.

The Sandtray Summit Experience is the ultimate, interactive virtual experience that's been designed to help you go deeper and learn more about sandtray therapy.

Remember the power of sandtray therapy for all ages.

Here's what you'll get at the Sandtray Summit Virtual Event

  • Speakers, surprises, and an experience that will knock your socks off. This event will beat out many IN-PERSON events you've attended. 
  • Access to various vendors and sponsors who feature what you want and need - ALL THINGS SANDTRAY. You'll have chances at special discounts and never before seen miniatures that are only available through the Sandtray Summit.
  • Interaction and REAL FRIENDSHIPS made virtually. Within each breakout session, you'll get the chance to build your own trays and partner with a fellow sandtray therapist to actually process and witness sandtrays.
  • Earn up to 12 CE's - NASW and IAST approved.  International Association of Sandtray Therapy is seeking approval to offer other continuing education credit. Please check our website for updates 
  • Practical advice and proven strategies from various sandtray specialists, allowing you to learn the basics and go deeper than you've ever gone before with different populations and techniques.
  • A surprise swag box for the first 200 registrations, you know already that there is a tray with 30+ miniatures, but we're staying quiet about all the other surprises in store for you - mailed right to your door.
  • Inspiration and unstoppable motivation from the best sandtray therapists around.

With your chance to find one of
FOUR GOLDEN TICKETS

Confirm you're coming and register for your Sandtray Summit swag box before the deadline, and you could find one of FOUR GOLDEN TICKETS in your box!

Yup ... your know that we LOVE surprises. That's why when you register for your swaf box, you have the opportunity to find a golden ticket and win an amazing experience.

If you're lucky enough to find a golden ticker ... put it somewhere safe and hang onto it.

We'll reveal the awesomeness at the Sandtray Summit Virtual Experience.

Save my seat and send my swag!

IMPORTANT! Only the first 200 therapists to register will receive the swag box. If you are number 201+ you'll still get access to many of the surprises in virtual form, but don't delay - you're going to WANT THIS BOX.

Do you have more questions?
Good news! We have answers!

Will there be a replay for the Sandtray Summit?

Can I receive CE’s?

I’m not tech savvy. Can I still attend?

Can I earn APT CE’s?

When do I have to decide?

Can I get a refund?

Can I attend just for one day?

Who is presenting?

What is the schedule?