A Comparison of Traditional Talk Therapy and Experiential Sandtray Approaches in Counselors in Training

This study explored the comparative effects of traditional talk therapy (control group) and sandtray therapy (experiential group) on group dynamics within a true experimental design. Utilizing the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form (GCQ-S), we measured engagement, conflict, and avoidance among master’s level counseling students. Findings revealed a significant interaction between therapy type and time on the engagement subscale, with participants in the experiential group experiencing greater increases in engagement over time. These results underscore the potential of expressive modalities in altering group dynamics and enhancing the effectiveness of group therapy in counselor education.