Sandplay Therapy for a Woman in Her 30s in Seclusion After Pet Loss: A Jungian Perspective on Psychological Structure and Avoidant Tendency

This case study explores the psychological impact of pet loss from a Jungian analytical perspective, with a focus on avoidant tendencies and the therapeutic role of sandplay therapy. The client, a woman in her 30s, experienced intense guilt and emotional withdrawal following the sudden death of her dog of 15 years. Her therapeutic journey over 25 sessions was analyzed across three phases: early (emotional repression and dissociation), middle (emergence of mourning and insight into familial and archetypal dynamics), and late (emotional integration and identity reconstruction). The findings indicate that pet loss can reactivate unresolved complexes and archetypal wounds, functioning as a psychological crisis that intensifies emotional avoidance and disrupts internal equilibrium. Sandplay therapy provided a safe, nonverbal symbolic space that enabled the client to project and process mourning, facilitating emotional expression and inner integration. This study highlights the clinical value of symbolic expression in mourning work and suggests that sandplay therapy can be an effective intervention for clients who struggle with verbal emotional processing and self-awareness.