A Case Study of Sandplay Therapy in a College Student with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Woo, Hee Jung

doi:2010.48.3.55

J. Korean Home Econ. Assoc > Volume 48(3); 2010 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association 2010;48(3):55-69. doi: https://doi.org/10.6115/khea.2010.48.3.055

A Case Study of Sandplay Therapy in a College Student with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Hee Jung Woo

Division of Social Welfare, Gwangju university

Corresponding Author: Hee Jung Woo ,Tel: +82-62-670-2360, Fax: +82-62-670-2180, Email: child@gwangju.ac.kr

Received: October 26, 2009; Revised: November 5, 2009 Accepted: January 26, 2010.

ABSTRACT

A college student who exhibited several post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was used as a case study in order to investigate the therapeutic effects of sandplay therapy for PTSD sufferers. In total, 27 sessions of the sandplay treatment program were used to conduct psychological tests before and after the sessions. Any changes in the manner of expressions on the sand box during the treatment, and the results of pre and post psychological tests on aspects of depression, anxiety and interrelationships were analyzed. Overall results showed that the subject exhibited progressive behavioral improvement and signs of recovery. Psychological tests revealed reduced levels of depression and anxiety, and improved interrelationship scores. In conclusion, sandplay therapy does exhibit positive benefits as an effective treatment modality for PTSD in adolescents and young adults.

Keywords: post traumatic stress disorder/PTSD, depression, anxiety, sandplay therapy