Program Proposal Guidelines
The following proposal guidelines and application have been updated for the annual Sandtray Summit that will be in person.
We are accepting proposals for the IAST Sandtray Summit 2026.
Persons in all areas of the mental health profession are invited to submit a program proposal.
Please note that sessions will be 2 hour Experiential Sessions that should provide a brief overview of a Sandtray Play Therapy theory, activity, or intervention followed by a participatory demonstration of Sandtray Play Therapy.
Theme: Racing Toward the Summit: Unbridled Resilience
The Power of Sandtray and Perseverance
*ALL SUBMISSONS MUST CONTAIN THEME-RELATED INFORMATION*
Some examples include (but are not limited to):
- Using sandtray to help clients "move forward" through grief, trauma, or life transitions
- Sessions that explore the therapeutic journey as a race toward emotional clarity or personal empowerment
- Helping clients identify inner obstacles and endurance strategies using metaphor in the tray
- Sandtray as a tool for tracking progress, strength, and personal milestones
- Techniques for helping clients visualize or create their journey – what healing or resolution looks like for them
- Working with narratives of ascent, struggle, and triumph in the sandtray
- Exploring the untamed, raw strength of the human spirit as depicted in sand scenes
- Interventions that help clients reconnect with their inner resilience after adversity
- Culturally sensitive approaches to honoring and depicting perseverance in the tray
- Sandtray techniques that build emotional regulation, grit, and internal resources
- The role of therapist presence and attunement in fostering resilience through sandtray
- Case studies showing long-term sandtray work focused on recovery and persistence
Submissions should address at least one of the conference content areas listed below.
Summit Content Areas:
- Counseling theory, practice and the counseling relationship
- Human growth and development
- Social and cultural foundations
- Helping relationship
- Group dynamics
- Lifestyle and career development
- Assessment and appraisal of individuals
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Research and program evaluation
- Counselor professional orientation, identity and practice issues
- Wellness and Prevention
- Ethics
- Other
Proposals will be peer-reviewed in a blind review by the Summit Proposal Committee.
Reviewers will use the following rubric items to review proposals:
- Presenter's qualifications and experience;
- Relevance of topic to Summit theme or needs of the particular audience;
- Relevance to ethics, supervision, diagnosis or school counselor related issues;
- Clear and attainable workshop objects;
- Evidence-based practices;
- Relevance of topic to current sandtray play therapy themes (for example: mindfulness); topic appeals to a variety of audiences.
Proposal Submission Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Submissions must be submitted electronically using this form no later than 11:59 PM, AUGUST 15, 2025.
- A presenter may not participate in more than two presentations, excluding invited sessions.
- The presenter must be a current IAST member in good standing. In special situations, this requirement may be waived by the IAST leadership.
- The primary presenter is the contact person and is responsible for notifying all co-presenters of acceptance, rejection, scheduling and any other information provided by IAST. The primary presenter's email address is the primary form of communication.
- Presenters must hold an advanced degree (masters or higher) in a mental health field, or demonstrate completion of appropriate education and training with regard to the topic presented.
- Presenters are responsible for all travel expenses including, but not limited to, lodging, transportation, and meals.
- Presenters may not charge a separate attendance fee.
- Presenters may not submit presentations that are in nature promoting a product or service, or sell any products or services during the session. Presenters who wish to sell products or services must purchase exhibit space.
- Presenters must be able to attend the IAST Sandtray Summit 2026 and be available to present any time during the summit (April 25-26, 2026).
- Presenters must register for the Conference by January 31, 2026. Presenters who do not register by January 31, 2026 will not be listed in the Summit Program Guide or be allowed to present.
- Presenters are responsible for preparing all materials to be distributed to attendees. Presenters grant IAST the right to use these materials in any manner consistent with professional development.
- Presenters must submit handout(s) electronically by APRIL 5, 2026 to be posted online for attendees to access. If materials are not submitted by APRIL 5, 2026 the presenter will be responsible for the duplication and distribution of the materials at the time of the Session at the presenter's expense: 100 handout copies for a session.
- Presenters attest to the fact that the information provided (including literature reviews and statements about data collected by proposal presenters) is true and accurate.
- Recording of sessions is prohibited without written consent from IAST.
If you have read and agree to all of the rules and instructions above, click "Create New" below to begin your Conference Session submission.
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!
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!
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.
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.