Cruise ship sailing past Alaska glaciers
Alaska Cruise • June 17–24, 2027

Sandtray Immersion at Sea

Learn, play, and recharge in Alaska.
3 Experiential Sandtray Trainings
10 CE Hours
Enroll Now • Early Bird $749
Hosted by Jackie Flynn
Join us for a unique learning experience at sea designed for therapists seeking to deepen their understanding and application of sandtray play therapy. Through experiential learning, participants will explore grief, trauma, nervous system regulation, and the person of the therapist through the lens of sandtray. This immersive event combines clinical knowledge, self-reflection, and practical application while providing opportunities for connection, creativity, and professional growth alongside fellow therapists.
Connect
Connect with other likeminded therapists.
Grow
Grow your therapeutic tool kit with hands-on learning.
Thrive
Thrive in nature to spark your creativity.
Agenda

3 Experiential Sandtray Trainings

Trainings will be on the days we are at sea. The days we are at port are yours to enjoy!
1
Navigating Grief Through Sandtray Play Therapy
Presenter: Niesia Garza • 4 CE Hours
Grief is often experienced beyond words and may emerge through symbols, images, sensory experiences, and metaphor.
Read more: description, objectives & schedule
Sandtray play therapy provides a developmentally responsive approach for exploring loss, attachment, remembrance, and meaning making. Participants will examine how grief is represented through symbolic expression, identify common grief themes that emerge within sandtray work, and explore interventions that support adaptation following loss. Through experiential activities, case examples, and discussion, participants will strengthen their ability to facilitate grief-focused sandtray experiences across the lifespan.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
  • Identify symbolic themes associated with grief, loss, and continuing bonds in sandtray play therapy.
  • Describe how developmental factors influence the expression of grief through symbols, metaphor, and imagery.
  • Engage in an experiential sandtray process exploring grief, loss, and continuing bonds.
  • Apply sandtray play therapy interventions that support adaptation, remembrance, and continuing bonds following experiences of loss.
Session 1
Grief, Loss, and Symbolic Expression
Session 2
Meaning Making, Continuing Bonds, and Sandtray Themes
Session 3
Experiential Sandtray Exploration
Session 4
Clinical Applications for Grief and Loss
2
Understanding Trauma, Regulation, and Healing Through Sandtray Play Therapy
Presenter: Jackie Flynn • 3 CE Hours
Trauma is often expressed through images, sensations, emotions, and implicit memory.
Read more: description, objectives & schedule
Sandtray play therapy provides a unique avenue for exploring symbolic representations of trauma while supporting safety, regulation, and healing. Participants will examine the relationship between nervous system states, symbolic expression, attachment experiences, and adaptive survival responses. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing regulation and dysregulation within the sandtray process and utilizing trauma-informed interventions that support resilience, integration, and healing.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
  • Describe the relationship between nervous system states, trauma responses, and symbolic expression in sandtray play therapy.
  • Identify symbolic themes, miniature selections, and tray patterns associated with adaptive survival strategies, attachment experiences, and resilience.
  • Engage in an experiential sandtray process exploring regulation, safety, and symbolic expression.
  • Apply trauma-informed sandtray interventions that support safety, regulation, and integration.
Session 1
Trauma, Regulation, and Symbolic Expression
Session 2
Experiential Sandtray Exploration
Session 3
Trauma-Informed Applications for Sandtray Play Therapy
3
Exploring the Person of the Therapist Through Sandtray Play Therapy
Presenters: Alisha Denham and Catherine Denham • 3 CE Hours
The therapeutic relationship is influenced by the therapist's personal experiences, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to the work.
Read more: description, objectives & schedule
Sandtray play therapy offers a reflective process through which clinicians can explore their own symbols, stories, and internal landscapes. Participants will engage in experiential sandtray activities designed to foster self-awareness, examine therapist use of self, and strengthen reflective practice. Attention will be given to how personal experiences influence therapeutic presence, clinical decision-making, and professional growth.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
  • Utilize sandtray play therapy as a reflective tool for examining therapist use of self and professional identity.
  • Reflect upon personal symbols, metaphors, and tray themes and their influence on therapeutic presence and clinical practice.
  • Engage in an experiential sandtray process designed to increase therapist self-awareness and reflective practice.
  • Develop strategies for incorporating reflective sandtray experiences into ongoing professional growth and self-awareness.
Session 1
The Person of the Therapist and Therapist Use of Self
Session 2
Experiential Sandtray Exploration
Session 3
Reflective Practice, Clinical Presence, and Professional Growth
Square sandtray with house, fence, and miniatures Round wooden sandtray with blue sides Round sandtray with spiral in the sand Heart-shaped sandtray Heart-shaped sandtray with miniatures
Try it

Build a world

Drag a Momma Owls mini into the sand. Brush the sand with your finger or mouse to find the water below
Miniatures by Momma Owl's Minis. Drag the corner dot to resize a miniature. Double-click to remove it.
Speakers

Meet your presenters

Niesia Garza
Keynote
Niesia Garza, LCSW, RPT, CBC
Niesia Garza, LCSW, RPT, CBC, is a licensed clinical social worker, Registered Play Therapist, and Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care provider. She specializes in grief, traumatic loss, and helping individuals and families navigate life after profound loss. With more than a decade of clinical experience, Niesia is passionate about the use of play, symbolism, metaphor, and creative expression to support healing and meaning-making. Her work emphasizes compassionate presence, continuing bonds, and honoring each person's unique grief journey while fostering connection, resilience, and growth.
Alisha and Catherine Denham
Alisha Denham, LCSW, RPT-S™, RST-C/T
Alisha Denham, LCSW, RPT-S™, RST-C/T, is a licensed clinical social worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™, and Registered Sand Therapist Consultant and Trainer. She is co-founder of Momma Owls Minis, where she creates handcrafted miniatures designed to support sandtray and play therapy. Combining artistic talent with clinical expertise, Alisha is passionate about symbolism, metaphor, and creative expression as pathways to healing. She frequently teaches and presents on the therapeutic use of sandtray and is dedicated to helping clinicians integrate creativity and meaning-making into their work.
Catherine Denham, LCSW, RPT-S™, RST-C/T
Catherine Denham, LCSW, RPT-S™, RST-C/T, is a licensed clinical social worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™, and Registered Sand Therapist Consultant and Trainer. She has more than a decade of experience working with children, families, and individuals and is passionate about the use of sandtray, play, symbolism, and creative expression in the healing process. As co-founder of Momma Owls, Catherine supports clinicians through training, consultation, and therapeutic resources that encourage meaningful exploration, reflection, and growth.
Jackie Flynn
Host
Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S™
Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S™, is a licensed mental health counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™, Registered Sand Therapist Consultant and Trainer, EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant, and founder of Jackie Flynn Consulting. She specializes in sandtray therapy, play therapy, EMDR, and nervous system-informed approaches to healing. Jackie is passionate about helping therapists understand the healing potential of symbols, metaphor, creativity, and play in supporting trauma recovery, regulation, and growth.
Venue

7 days through Alaska

One of the most scenic and thrilling cruises is Alaska, and this 7-day itinerary even includes Icy Strait Point and its wilderness experiences. Just outside of Juneau is where you’ll find the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. Walk the nature trails and explore the Visitor Center with its view of the Juneau Ice Field. Icy Strait Point is home to the largest Native Tlingit village in the state and its waters are teeming with wildlife, including orcas and humpbacks. Since every shop at Icy Strait Point is Native-owned, this is the place for authentic goods and handicrafts. Your last port is Victoria, the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest. With its green spaces and Victorian architecture, it is stunning. See Butchart Gardens and the stately Craigdarroch Castle.
Departure Port
Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66)
2225 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121
Port of Seattle
Cruise Itinerary Link →
Cruise ship in Alaska
CE Info

Total Training Hours: 10 CE Hours

NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider APT Approved Provider of Play Therapy Continuing Education World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals RST-C/T
Sandtray Immersion at Sea consists of three live trainings totaling 10 NBCC Credit Hours, 10 APT Live Contact Hours, and 10 WASTP Contact Hours.
View full CE details for each training

Navigating Grief Through Sandtray Play Therapy

This program is offered live and includes real-time interaction with the presenter.
NBCC (4 Credit Hours)

Jackie Flynn Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8022. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Jackie Flynn Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This live program offers 4 NBCC Credit Hours. Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive NBCC credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

APT (4 Live Contact Hours)

Jacqueline Flynn is an Approved Provider through the Association for Play Therapy (APT Approved Provider 20-628) and may offer continuing education specific to play therapy.

Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive APT credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

WASTP (4 Contact Hours)

Jacqueline Flynn has been approved by the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP) as a Continuing Education Provider, Provider Number 179. Jacqueline Flynn is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.

Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive WASTP credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

Understanding Trauma, Regulation, and Healing Through Sandtray Play Therapy

This program is offered live and includes real-time interaction with the presenter.
NBCC (3 Credit Hours)

Jackie Flynn Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8022. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Jackie Flynn Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This live program offers 3 NBCC Credit Hours. Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive NBCC credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

APT (3 Live Contact Hours)

Jacqueline Flynn is an Approved Provider through the Association for Play Therapy (APT Approved Provider 20-628) and may offer continuing education specific to play therapy.

Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive APT credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

WASTP (3 Contact Hours)

Jacqueline Flynn has been approved by the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP) as a Continuing Education Provider, Provider Number 179. Jacqueline Flynn is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.

Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive WASTP credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

Exploring the Person of the Therapist Through Sandtray Play Therapy

This program is offered live and includes real-time interaction with the presenters.
NBCC (3 Credit Hours)

Jackie Flynn Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8022. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Jackie Flynn Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

This live program offers 3 NBCC Credit Hours. Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive NBCC credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

APT (3 Live Contact Hours)

Jacqueline Flynn is an Approved Provider through the Association for Play Therapy (APT Approved Provider 20-628) and may offer continuing education specific to play therapy.

Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive APT credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

WASTP (3 Contact Hours)

Jacqueline Flynn has been approved by the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP) as a Continuing Education Provider, Provider Number 179. Jacqueline Flynn is solely responsible for all aspects of this program.

Participants must attend the entire program and complete the required program evaluation to receive WASTP credit. No partial credit will be awarded.

Target Audience
Mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, play therapists, school counselors, graduate students, and other helping professionals interested in sandtray play therapy.
Instructional Methods
Lecture, experiential sandtray activities, case examples, reflective exercises, small-group discussion, and large-group processing.
Registration

Save your seat

Early Bird
$749
Early Bird Ends: January 15, 2027
Regular
$850
Training registration fee
Step 1
Register for the training
Only those attending the training pay the event registration fee.
Step 2
Book your cabin
Once you register for the training, contact Mike Davila, our cruise coordinator, to book your cabin on the ship.
Step 3
Set sail
June 17–24, 2027
Cruise coordinator
Mike Davila
mbdavila@ncl.com
Direct: 954.514.4154
Toll Free: 877.416.9722 x44154
Cell: 305.305.7127
FAQ's
When are the trainings?
Trainings will be on the days we are at sea. The days we are at port are yours to enjoy!
How do I book my cabin?
Once you register for the training, contact Mike Davila, our cruise coordinator (contact details above), to book your cabin on the ship.
How many CEs will I earn?
You will earn 10 CE hours for your participation in the training.
Can family and friends come?
Only those who will attend the training need to pay the event registration fee. Your family and friends are welcome to join you on the cruise!
Can I bring my kids?
You are welcome to bring your kids. Although the room rates shown are for 2 people in a room, the rate will increase slightly for additional people in the room. The ship has an awesome kids club!
What is the refund policy?
Cruiseline refund policy: You are able to receive a full refund if you cancel 120 days prior to sailing.
Training registration is non-refundable due to [reason].
Learn, play, and recharge in Alaska.
Enroll Now • Early Bird $749
Questions about the training? Contact Jackie at jackie@jackieflynnconsulting.com