Dr. Rie Rogers Mitchell
In Loving Memory of Dr. Rie Rogers Mitchell
It is with deep sadness and heartfelt gratitude that we share the passing of Dr. Rie Rogers Mitchell, a beloved elder and leader of our Sandplay community. Dr. Mitchell (Rie) passed away on October 21, 2025.
Dr. Mitchell was a licensed psychologist, Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), and a Certified Sandplay Therapist and Teacher (STA/ISST). She served with heart and distinction as President of the Sandplay Therapists of America (2008–2009) and later as Co-President of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST) in August 2012. In recognition of her lifelong contributions, in 2015 Rie received the STA Kalff-Bradway Lifetime Achievement Award in Sandplay Therapy.
An esteemed educator, Dr. Mitchell was a Professor and later Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology at California State University, Northridge, where she taught play therapy, Sandplay therapy, and research methods. Her early training included studying play therapy with Anna Freud in England, where her interest in understanding children’s inner worlds through play–and in tracking therapeutic change over time–took root.
Dr. Mitchell enjoyed telling stories about how she found Sandplay. She was first intrigued by Sandplay after hearing Harriet Friedman lecture at the C. G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles and witnessing the power of Sandplay images. Rie and Harriet became dear friends and colleagues who taught Sandplay together, did research, and co-authored many articles and books. Rie later studied in Switzerland with Dora Kalff, forming a meaningful relationship grounded not only in Sandplay but also in their love of music. Rie discovered this shared passion when she used a piano in her first Sandplay picture with Frau Kalff.
Over many decades, Dr. Mitchell taught Sandplay through STA’s Sandplay Therapist Institute and in more than 18 countries, always taking a personal interest in her students. She mentored countless clinicians through the certification process, offering steady guidance, encouragement, and scholarly rigor.
A prolific scholar, Dr. Mitchell contributed extensively to the literature and to the life of our field. She was co-author of Sandplay: Past, Present and Future (Routledge, 1994) and Sandplay Wisdom (Routledge, 2021), co-editor of Supervision of Sandplay Therapy (Routledge, 2008), and contributed in many vital ways to the success of the Journal of Sandplay Therapy.
Dr. Mitchell is deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, students, and the global Sandplay community. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, scholarship, and unwavering devotion to the growth and protection of Sandplay therapy worldwide.
We sincerely honor the depth of her influence and her enduring spirit.
Lorraine Freedle / Natori Takuji
Ruth Ammann ( 1934 – 2023)
On August 3rd 2023, Ruth Ammann passed away at the age of 89.
Saddened but also in deep thankfulness we think of her immense contribution to Sandplay Therapy over the whole world; we think of her energetic commitment to spreading and holding the development of this method from its very beginning, as well as its worldwide organization through ISST; we think of her friendship and continuous support for candidates and trainers of Sandplay Therapy.
Ruth Ammann had worked directly with Dora Kalff during the first years when this method was created and established in the field of child psychology. She continuously worked on its rootedness and connection with C.G.Jung’s Analytical Psychology.
As the president of ISST (from 2003 to 2011) she gave clear structures and directions for an effective functioning of this young organization. In spite of her illness during the last months of her life she continued to be supportive to the world of Sandplay in Switzerland and abroad.
Many people would have much to tell about what they experienced with Ruth during all these years and to share how meaningful their encounters with Ruth have been. More or less intentionally, she constantly challenged us to think, to feel, to search, and to continue to develop our potential. This simply came out of her nature, not always gently, but often very meaningfully.
It will probably take some time to realize that we cannot ask Ruth anymore when we reflect about Sandplay and ISST. What remains is a deeply felt gratitude – for what she has given us for our work with Sandplay therapy and also to many of us for our own personal growth.
Her memory will guide us towards an attitude of clear thinking, together with an open heart.
Maria Kendler (Vice President Europe + region) / Takuji Natori (President)