Sandplay as a Rite of Passage Experience for Girls at Puberty

Brock, M. (2003). Sandplay as a Rite of Passage Experience for Girls at Puberty (Doctoral dissertation, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2003).

This dissertation proposes three main theses: that contemporary American girls suffer unnecessarily at puberty, that they would benefit from a rite of passage designed to help them transition from childhood to adolescence, and that Sandplay is a suitable vehicle for a rite of passage for girls at puberty.

A review of the literature reveals that pre- and early-adolescent girls have been regarded over time and across cultures and ideologies to suffer a decline in exuberance and self-assurance. Contemporary girls endure the same disequilibrium experienced by girls of the ancient world. In addition, our society exacerbates their confusion by advocating conflicting qualities. Urged to be both strong and demure, ambitious and submissive, but above all nice rather than genuine, girls often lose confidence in the validity of their own thoughts and feelings. They stop speaking up for themselves. For many, it becomes a permanent loss of voice.

Traditional societies assisted girls in bridging the gap between childhood and adulthood by providing a rite of passage. Girls’ rites typically followed a three-stage pattern of enclosure, transformation, and emergence back into society. Secluded in her enclosure, a girl’s tendency to silence and passivity was given a ritual container. There spiritual encounters with the gods and goddesses of her culture transformed the girl into a woman who trusted her inner resources and knew herself. Enclosure, solitude, silence, and a meeting with archetypal entities were required in order to emerge a reborn woman.

Analysis of a psychotherapy case demonstrates the benefits of Sandplay as a rite of passage for contemporary girls. Pubertal girls struggle to communicate verbally; Sandplay permits silent, nonverbal communication. The setting, the sandtrays, and the therapeutic relationship provide enclosure. Transformation occurs as the girl confronts universal themes of puberty by depicting them in sand scenes. The therapist’s respectful honoring of the initiand’s inner life allows her to regain trust in her powers of discernment. Sandplay benefits girls in the way of traditional rites of passage, by enabling them to emerge with confidence in the wisdom of their personal truth.