The Process of Individuation Through Sandplay Therapy for a Middle-aged Man in his Fifties: Focused on the Development of Masculinity

This study explored the process of individuation through sandplay therapy for a middle-aged man in his fifties having insomnia and relation difficulty with others based on analytical psychology and sandplay theories. The client has taken medicines of sleeplessness. Thirty-seven therapy sessions were held and the interpretation of the therapy process as followed. In the initial phase of therapy(1-5th sessions, the start of journey), he expressed a boy in a boat who started to find a treasure and that a fighter with a sword who advanced on the sun struggled with a dragon. As an undone journey a middle-aged man proceeded a pyramid which symbolized death and rebirth. In the intermediate phase of therapy(6-32nd sessions, struggle for obtaining masculinity), he fought fear with a light weapon and defeated his and others’ eyes and crossed the river of fear. He took a rest and went through the journey of returning maternity again which was the root of life. A barrier was pulled down. He found real himself and reached the top of the mountain. Others’ eyes and mouths were disappeared. In the final phase of therapy(33-37th sessions, communication & peace), he hold celebration of obtaining masculinity and became respectful to others themselves who were different from him. This study showed the effectiveness of sandplay therapy because sleeplessness was relieved with very small amount of medicine and the client’s understanding toward others were broadened by sandplay therapy.