Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association (HKSTA)

Are you aware of the character Genie in the Walt Disney film of Aladdin? We will explore on the psychological dimensions of the story to better understand Genie on both of his opposite aspects that involve “the trickster” and “the wise old man” through his action of granting three wishes to Aladdin. And thus we may know more about the essence of these two archetypal figures from a Jungian perspective. In fact, the figure of the Genie can be interpreted as an inner mentor in the symbolic process and this will be further illustrated by the clinical materials of a lady who has anxiety disorder and delusion features on her quest to find herself. 

Bhakta has completed her two symbol papers and both were accepted in 2020.  “Genie: the mentor within” is her first symbol paper study.

Details:
Date      :     March 24, 2021 (Wed)
Time      :     7:30-9pm
Topic     :     Genie: the mentor within
Presenter      :     Bhakta NG (Psychotherapist & Registered Social Worker who mainly works with SEN adolescents and adults with anxiety issues)
Venue    :            Webinar through Zoom
Language     :     Cantonese
Remark  :     Please watch the film Aladdin (2019) before joining this study group

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

Joseph Campbell, the acclaimed American mythology academic and famous author postulates that the ‘hero’s journey’ motif or monomyth which he identifies has been present in all cultures and times. The same hero wearing different mask appears throughout mythology, religious, literatures, and centuries.

Aladdin released in 2019 is an American live-action animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Guy Ritchie, from a script he co-wrote

with John August, it is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated film of the same name, which itself is based on the eponymous tale from One Thousand and One Nights. The youngster, Aladdin unintentionally engaged in an adventure in which he is on a quest to find himself. The film follows the heroic journey identified by Campbell.

In this study group, we are going to accompany Aladdin to go through a series of stages, obstacles and rewards along his adventure through the lens of Campbell’s ‘hero journey’. Clinical materials of a lady whose daughter died of cancer will be presented to illustrate her quest to find herself.

Details:
Topic : The Heroic Journey of Aladdin: the Diamond in the Rough
Presenter: Brenda Koo (Private Practitioner, RSW, CT. Brenda mainly work with bereaved adults and children)
Date: February 25, 2021 (Thursday )
Time: 7:30-9:30pm
Venue: Webinar through Zoom
Language: Cantonese
 

Remark: Please watch the film Aladdin (2019) before joining this study group.

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

In this study group, we shall look into the symbol of Tiger .  Animal represent a lot of different meaning in Sandplay , A Tiger , the king of the

Jungle, Tiger is most commonly associated with strength and courage, as well as determination and independence. When A boy who lost his father recently , how the symbol of tiger help him to transform during the sadnplay process ? Bobby will share a case where a young boy who lost his father made a series of tray by using Tiger.

Details:

Symbol: Tiger
Presenter: Bobby Fung (Marriage and Family Counselor, RSW.  Bobby works with children and family)
Date: January 28, 2020 (Thursday)
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (online)
Language: Cantonese

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Carl Jung.

In this study group, we shall look into dreams and Sandplay.  David Capitolo looks at sandplay as waking dream: in his 2016 paper “Sandplay as waking dream: Images hidden in the emotions” Capitolo looked into the concept of “waking dream thought” proposed by Wilfred Bion and the parallel translation of waking dream thoughts into sandplay.  We will also explore Michal Troudart’s 2020 paper “A closed letter and an open letter – On dreams and sandplay scenes”.  Jennifer will also share a recent case where a young boy shared a series of dreams.

Details:

Study Topic: Dreams and Sandplay
Presenter: Jennifer Wong (A counsellor and a part time assistant lecturer for the Master program in counselling of the University of Hong Kong)
Date: December 16 2020 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (online)
Language: Cantonese

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

“So you have to write a symbol paper!”  This is the title of an article written by Barbara Weller in 1997. In this study group, Jennifer will lead us to look at Barbara’s view on what a symbol paper is all about. Discussion will also include Pratibha Eastwood article “Resonance on Symbol Paper” in which she used “Leela, the divine play” as a metaphor for the process of writing a symbol paper.  

Jennifer and Kitty have recently completed their writing on one of their symbol papers. They will share their journey and struggles in writing their symbol paper with us at the meeting as well.  All are welcome to share their experience and to cheer for each other in our pursuit.

Jennifer works as a counsellor and is also a part time assistant lecturer for the Master program in counselling of the University of Hong Kong. She presented the symbol “Gargoyles” in our January 2018 study group and led an article study in January 2019.  Kitty has been practicing as a professional counsellor in private practice for over ten years. She presented the symbol “Witch” in October 2019 and the symbol “Sakura” in September 2020 for HKSTA Study Group.

Details:

Study Topic: Writing a Symbol Paper
Presenter: Jennifer Wong and Kitty Liu
Date: 16 November 2020 (Monday)
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (online)
Language: Cantonese

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

Who will you think of when hearing the story of the “Sleeping Beauty” ? Is it Princess Aurora? Prince Philip? Or the evil fairy Maleficent? 

Maleficent (黑魔后) is known for her curse to Princess Aurora and she is associated with darkness and power. There has not been a back story to give information for why and how Maleficent turned to be evil until Walt Disney Pictures casted a movie ‘Maleficent’ in 2014 portraying this figure. Maleficent was once a powerful and living fairy in protecting a magical forest realm. She turned to be an antagonist when she was betrayed. And there the story of the Sleeping Beauty began.

In this study group, Carol will share the story of Maleficent and explore the meanings of this figurine. Some clinical materials will be presented to facilitate the discussion.

Details:

Symbol Study: Maleficent
Presenter: Ms Carol Lo, Counsellor at The Boys’ & Girl’s Clubs Association of Hong Kong
Date: October 19, 2020 (Monday)
Time: 7:30-9:30pm (online)
Language: Cantonese

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

The Japanese consider cherry blossom (さくらSakura桜 ) their national flower.  It is said to represent some kind of spirit and belief of the Japanese people.  Every year when the Spring season comes, from the South to the North of Japan, Sakura blossoms in tremendous amounts and it has become a ritual and a habit the Japanese Meteorological Agency anticipates when it will blossom in different locations of the country so that visitors can “chase” the flowers everywhere to view and enjoy their beauty in full bloom.  And the Japanese are used to spending the whole day sitting under the Sakura trees to have a picnic and taste the flowers with their eyes.  They call it hanami (はなみ 花見) which simply means viewing the flowers.

In this symbol study Kitty Liu, a psychological counsellor in private practice, will facilitate us to explore on the meanings of Sakura. And related clinical materials will be presented to enrich discussions.

HKSTA September 2020 Study Group
Symbol Study: Sakura
Presenter: Ms. Kitty Liu
Date: 29/9/2020 (Tuesday)
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (online)
Language: Cantonese (will switch to English if needed)

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.

Trickster is perhaps one of the most important but paradoxical archetypes among us, from the old time as Hermes, Mercurius, and jester to modern days’ joker in popular movies. Jung writes of “his fondness for sly jokes and malicious pranks, his powers as a shape-shifter, his dual nature, half animal, half divine, his exposure to all kinds of tortures, and … his approximation to the figure of a saviour” (1959, para.456).
In this study group, we would explore different perspectives of trickster as an archetype, and its manifestation in various symbols and images. Cases would be illustrated and discussed.

HKSTA August 2020 Study Group
Symbol Study: Trickster
Presenter: Mr. Kwok Kar Kin, George (Teaching Member, ISST)
Date: 21/8/2020
Time: 7:30-9:30 (online)
Language: Cantonese (will switch to English if needed)

This study group is only opened to members of the Hong Kong Sandplay Therapy Association.