This training is suitable for trainee and qualified play therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, expressive arts therapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals working within the range of psychotherapeutic modalities with clients of all ages.

This course is IACP CPD Approved for 84 CPD Points. It is also suitable CPD for therapists and counsellors accredited with different professional bodies.

Emer Mc Donagh, SIAPTP, MIAPTP, MIAHIP, ECIP, is the leader for this course. She holds an MA in Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy and a BA (HONS) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. Emer is also Assistant MA Course Leader at CTC and is a fully accredited psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer with the European Association of Integrative Psychotherapy.

This Diploma Course involves:

• 2 x 1.5 Hour Live Online Sessions
• 2 Live Online Training Days
• 9 In Person Training Days
• Additional Self-Directed Learning & Directed Study Tasks

Both Zoom Introductory and Orientation sessions take place from 7 – 8.30pm. Full day sessions take place from 10am – 5pm, with morning and afternoon tea/coffee breaks and a one hour lunch break. For onsite training days, students may eat their packed lunch in the Centre or may choose to go to the coffee shop in the local village.

13th May 2026 (Zoom, 7-8:30pm)

20th May 2026 (Zoom, 7-8:30pm)

30th & 31st May 2026 (Ballymore)

20th & 21st June 2026 (Ballymore)

8th July 2026 (Zoom)

25th & 26th July 2026 (Ballymore)

29th & 30th August 2026 (Ballymore)

9th September 2026 (Zoom)

7th October 2026 (Ballymore)

Self directed learning and directed study tasks to suit individual learners

There are 2 Assignments:

1. Poster presentation

Each student will present a poster based on their use of sandtray with a client. Each poster will include anonymised details about the client, images of the tray, materials available, the process and a section making links to theory and exploring meaning making.

2. Group Presentation

Peer groups will make an interactive creative presentation on an assigned topic related to working with a specific client group using sandtray therapy.

• Standard Course Fee is €1700
• A non-refundable application fee of €50 is due at appliaction satge. This fee deducted from the overall course fee for succesful applicants
• Payment Plans available for those who want to pay in instalments

Course Fee includes a starter sandtray kit (miniature tray, sand, 50+ symbols) and the course book: Homeyer, L. E. & Sweeney, D. S. (2022) Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual, 4^th Ed. London & NY: Routledge

Payment Plans for Diploma in Sandtray Therapy & Symbolic Expression 2026

The course fee is €1700.  €50 is due at the application stage, this is included in the €1700 course fee. Each student is responsible for full payment of course fees, regardless of level of attendance. CTC offer three different payment options. Students must select their payment option when they accept their place, payment is due within two weeks of this. Places cannot be held without payment.

Option 1: €1700 Pay in Full

1. €50 Application Fee
2. €1650 Registration fee due within two weeks of acceptance of offer

Option 2 – €1750 Pay in Five Instalments

1. €50 Application Fee
2. €500 Registration fee due within two weeks of acceptance of offer
3. €400 via Standing Order one month later
4. €400 via Standing Order one month later
5. €400 via Standing Order one month later

Option 3 – €1800 – Pay in Seven Instalments

1. €50 Application Fee
2. €500 Registration fee due within two weeks of acceptance of offer
3. €250 via Standing Order One month later
4. €250 via Standing Order One month later
5. €250 via Standing Order One month later
6. €250 via Standing Order One month later
7. €250 via Standing Order One month later

ALL MONTHLY INSTALMENT PLANS MUST BE PAID BY A STANDING ORDER.

Bank Account Details: 

Name and Address: Permanent TSB, 131 O’Connell Street, Limerick, Ireland

Account Name:        Children’s Therapy Centre

Sort Code:          99 07 23                   Account Number: 86173408

Swift code:         IPBSIE2D                  IBAN – IE49IPBS99072386173408

Terms and Conditions

€50 application fee and €350 deposit included in the initial payment are non-refundable. All fees are non-refundable within one month of the course dates. Prior to this, fees paid outside of the application fee and deposit are refundable.