Before There Are Words: Sandtray Therapy and the Becoming of a Mother

Advanced Sandtray Therapy training + PMH-C CEs

Friday, July 17, 2026 from 9 am - 12 pm

Hope Roots Collective: 11515 South Black Bob Road, Olathe KS 66062

Facilitated by: Kristine Page, LCPC, LPC, PMH-C and Leah Schwarz, LSCSW, RPT, PMH-C, RST-C/T

The transition into motherhood is both profound and complex—marked by identity shifts, emotional vulnerability, and deep relational change. In this advanced experiential training, participants will explore the foundations of perinatal mental health alongside the expressive and symbolic power of sandtray therapy.

Through guided sandtray directives, clinicians will deepen their understanding of the psychological and emotional landscape of pregnancy and postpartum, including themes of identity development, attachment, loss, and resilience. Participants will have opportunities to engage in hands-on learning, reflect on their own internal responses, and consider how sandtray can support clients in expressing experiences that may feel difficult to name.

This training is designed to help clinicians meet both mother and baby—holding space for the evolving identity of the parent while honoring the early relational bond. Participants will leave with practical tools, increased confidence in using sandtray in perinatal work, and a deeper connection to the transformative nature of this life stage.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify key components of perinatal mental health, including common emotional experiences, identity shifts, and risk factors during pregnancy and postpartum. Explore the concept of Matricence. 

2. Demonstrate the use of sandtray therapy techniques to support expression, processing, and meaning-making in perinatal clients.

3. Integrate developmentally informed and attachment-focused perspectives when utilizing sandtray interventions with parents in the perinatal period.

Kristine Page, LCPC, LPC, PMH-C, is a therapist and the owner of Turning The Page, LLC, a private practice based in Olathe, Kansas. She has over 14 years of experience working with individuals across the lifespan. Kristine began her career in community mental health and at a child advocacy center, where she specialized in working with children and teens. During this time, she developed a strong foundation in play therapy and sandtray therapy, supporting children and families in processing complex experiences.

Over the past six years, Kristine has transitioned her focus to the perinatal period, where she supports individuals navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and identity shifts into parenthood. In her work with the perinatal population, she continues to integrate sandtray therapy with adults, creating space to explore trauma, identity, and personal values in a meaningful and experiential way.

Leah Schwarz, LSCSW, RPT, PMH-C, RST-C/T is a bilingual (English/Spanish) therapist and owner of Hope Esperanza Counseling LLC. She has over 12 years of experience as a social worker, working in community mental health, a domestic violence agency, and now in private practice. The first part of Leah’s career centered around working with children and families, and in recent years she has pivoted to specializing in perinatal mental health, supporting new and expecting parents. Leah is trained in EMDR and loves using sandtray therapy with clients of all ages. Leah also co-owns Hope Roots Collective in Olathe, KS - a wellness collective focused on incorporating nature into healing, supporting therapists in building practices aligned with their values, and reducing burnout among providers.