A Case Study of Sandplay Therapy for an Early 30’s Bereaved Woman: Focused on Father Complex

This study explored the sandplay therapy case of an early 30’s bereaved woman with focusing on father complex based on analytical psychology and sandplay theories. Client had the problem of relationships and emotional regulation and spiritless. Twenty-seven therapy sessions were held and the interpretation of the therapy process as followed. In the initial phase of therapy(1-5th sessions, neglect, the start of journey), she expressed unhealthy femininity which was a typical phenomenon for the daughter of father complex, neglect during early childhood and the journey of seeking femininity in the right front part of sandbox which was the area of femininity. In the intermediate phase of therapy(6-22nd sessions, seeking mature femininity), boats and shellfish showed the theme of seeking femininity. The image of puella aeterna was disappeared. Old ego seemed to disappear by showing apple trees and rainbow. New consciousness and new viewpoint of seeing others appeared. In the final phase of therapy(23-27th sessions, recovery of relationships), she expressed fruits as affluent energy. The solid self-existence appeared by showing stones. There were harmony, balance and union of the opposites. As a result, with the free of father complex, from the father’s daughter who didn’t experience the rite of passage as an adult properly, as she recovered femininity, her relationships with others were also revitalized. This study showed the effectiveness of sandplay therapy because the client’s understanding toward her parents and others, acceptance and tolerance in a real life with the transformation of inner world were broaden by sandplay therapy in the free and protected space.