Tammi's New Play Therapy & Sandtray Page

07/25/2025

Highs and lows. Carl Jung stated , “Life is born only of the spark of opposites”. From majors highs and fulfilled hearts to heartbreak. The most amazing dog in the world left us and I had to be with him through FaceTime. He was surrounded by so much love and it is a celebration of life. Tux was so loved. His last meal was homemade banana peanut butter cake and a beer. So much sadness and so much gratitude for him being in our lives. Creating sand trays are my healing process and I am so grateful to for creating this app for me to be able to create while abroad. Sandtrays are my way of sending the ones I love off to the spiritual world. Tux, thank you for always being by my side through my hours of work. You were cozy right next to me with sweetness, kindness and positive energy. So much sadness but he is now onto his next journey. , you were the best father to Tux and he was so lucky to have you. You gave him more love than anyone and spoiled him rotten. Rest in Peace, sweet Tux.😢

07/19/2025

This is the year of yes and bucket fillers!! It’s that time in life to seize the day! My adventures await for a lifetime of beautiful memories, celebrations, magical experiences, learning and play of course!Let this adventure begin!!

07/18/2025

As I dive into preparing for my upcoming Sandtray Retreat with PESI, I find myself fully absorbed—heart first—into the imagery, the visuals, and the healing power of symbolism.

While creating this slide inspired by Ana Gomez’s groundbreaking new book, EMDR-Sandtray-Based Therapy: Healing Complex Trauma and Dissociation Across the Lifespan, I was struck by her powerful description of the sand tray as the “Mind’s Mirror.”

This graphic is a reflection (literally!) of that beautiful metaphor—and Ana’s deep wisdom.692 , thank you for the brilliance, compassion, and clarity you bring to our field. I am so grateful.

For more information for the PESI Sandtray Retreat, here is the link.https://www.pesi.com/sales/bh_s_150192_sandtraytherapyretreat_bne93852_global_partner_affiliate-1400379?utm_source=Tammi+Van+Hollander%2C+LCSW%2C+RPT-S&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=LIP150192&_ef_transaction_id=64be43adf98e4b979386b7f7d3f736e6&fbclid=IwY2xjawLndwBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFNRWpiRjc5UkVBWWNZU01GAR7sB8yN1zS6BLvRazDyCOk0XdVM4MgeLX6ClYGRIKMo3ckHZPpOZFHcbMsrTg_aem_I2dgz2LnEI-P158GtL7VxQ

07/16/2025

I love these new rainbow, unicorn playtime cards being sold by

07/05/2025

🌍 Join Us for a FREE Pre-Symposium Webinar! 🎉
Get a sneak peek into powerful techniques in play therapy and meet some of the inspiring presenters of the FIRST National Symposium on Play Therapy hosted by the Association for Play Therapy – Kenya 🇰🇪

🗓 Free Webinar: Saturday, July 12, 2025
🎤 Symposium Dates: August 13–15, 2025

I'm so honored to be presenting alongside these amazing, strong, and brilliant women as we come together to share knowledge, connection, and healing through play. 💛✨

🔗 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with a global community of play therapists! Here is a link to register for the symposium. This is a big deal and so exciting!

07/03/2025

06/16/2025

I am so excited to get my hands on this book!! Stay tuned for more! Ana Gomez is brilliant! If you do not know Ana Gomez, she is the guru of EMDR and sandtray. Add this book to your library if you are EMDR and sandtray fans or if you are curious and want to learn more about these powerful modalities!! .692

06/13/2025

Today is my grandmother’s birthday. Lois Elkman
She was my compass—wise, warm, and always full of heart. As I prepare to share the very first glimpse of my new children’s book, I realize something beautiful: it wasn’t until writing this post that I truly heard her again.

Throughout my life, no matter what I was facing, she’d gently remind me:
“It’s a good sign.”
Those four words were her anchor, her way of seeing light in uncertainty. And as I sat with this new project—The Loving Stop Sign—I suddenly heard her voice again. Clear. Reassuring.
“It’s a good sign.”

It gave me chills.

This new story is pouring from my heart. It’s a tender sequel to Casey’s Greatness Wings, and it’s all about helping children understand the power of pausing with love, not punishment. It teaches about co-regulation, the nervous system, and the mind-body connection—wrapped in the warmth of Grandmother Butterfly, who offers presence instead of correction.

So today, on her birthday, I offer this sneak peek into The Loving Stop Sign: A Story About Connection, Not Correction.

This one’s for you, Gram. I love you and miss you so very much.

06/10/2025

Whether you're a seasoned sandtray clinician or have never touched the sand, this retreat is for you. If you've ever been curious about sandtray therapy—drawn to its depth, beauty, or quiet power—this is your chance to lean into that curiosity and discover what it's all about.

Join us for 5 immersive days of learning, healing, and connection through the transformative power of sandtray therapy. You'll explore bottom-up approaches that tap into the nervous system, helping clients express what words often cannot.

Sandtray has been my own healing modality for over 20 years—personally and professionally. It’s a sacred gift I’m honored to share with you.
🌀 Come experience the magic for yourself.
https://www.pesi.com/sales/bh_s_150192_sandtraytherapyretreat_bne93852_global_partner_affiliate-1400379?utm_source=Tammi+Van+Hollander%2C+LCSW%2C+RPT-S&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=LIP150192&_ef_transaction_id=2d18f32cd20a4914b5b69528ad00b883

hashtag hashtag Pesi Inc Cherie L. Spehar, LCSW, CTRC-C, RPT-S
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06/09/2025

It was such a joy and honor to virtually present on Bibliotherapy and Attachment-Based Play Therapy to the incredible group Counseling and Development Centre in Hong Kong! What a wonderful, engaged audience—thank you for the warm welcome and thoughtful participation. One of the highlights was seeing attendees holding copies of my books and others I’ve recommended over the years—it’s always deeply moving to witness these resources reaching across the world.
It was also so cool to see which titles have been translated into Mandarin—there’s something very special about seeing stories and therapeutic tools cross languages and cultures to support children and families.
Grateful for this experience and the growing global community of play therapists 💛📚🧸
Pesi Inc cards