Prompting Change: Utilizing the Transtheoretical Model in Sandtray

ABSTRACT

Counseling theory offers direction for counselors regarding a view of maladaptive behaviors and what role the counselor should take to move the client toward adaptive lifestyle change. The transtheoretical model (TTM) of behavior change is a developmental model that can be considered as the counselor tailors interventions based on a client’s readiness to accept change. This article aims to illustrate how sandtray work can be implemented using the TTM. Specifically, we will use one case example and exemplify sandtray directives or prompts designed to meet the client at each stage of change in the TTM.

KEYWORDS:

• Counseling
• creativity in counseling
• sandtray
• stages of change
• transtheoretical model of change