“As a Teaching Member you stand as a direct link between Dora Kalff, the originator of our method and founder of ISST, and future members of ISST. This brings with it privileges as well as responsibilities. We trust that you will continue to grow and develop in your sandplay teaching practice and your preparation of students within the tradition of high professional standards promoted by ISST and outlined in this handbook.  We also hope that you will take an active part in the running and development of our society which aims to provide a container for our members and maintains our standards of training.” 

Alexander Esterhuyzen (President ISST 2019).

Requirements for Teaching Member Status

(Agreed at ISST Board Meet August 2011, amended Board Meet 2012)

An ISST Teaching Member is not only a fine clinician and an excellent teacher, but also fulfils other requirements including: (a) demonstrating the capacity to prepare students for ISST membership in the tradition of Dora Kalff, (b) teaching students to use the Jungian/ISST approach to Sandplay, and (c) demonstrating knowledge of the requirements and procedures that students must follow in order to become ISST members. Specific requirements are:

  1. ISST sets minimum requirements. ISST Member Societies may have additional requirements which must be also be fulfilled by their members.
  2. Have a minimum of two years of experience conducting full Sandplay processes after ISST certification. Rationale: It is necessary to have further grounding in clinical practice after ISST certification to deepen experience and understanding of the responsibilities of a certified Sandplay therapist.
  3. Attend an ISST congress (or an ISST Member Congress at which Teaching Members of other ISST Member Societies are present) and present a paper. Or attend an ISST conference (or a ISST Member Congress at which Teaching Members of other ISST Member Societies are present) and publish an article in a Sandplay or other journal. Rational: Attendance at international and national conference (s) encourages a broader and deeper perspective. The capacity to present to one’s peers and colleagues and defend a viewpoint is an important aspect of Teaching Member status.
  4. Prepare and present at least one clinical case in addition to the individual’s final case for ISST membership. This material may be presented at an ISST conference, and/or used in Co-teaching with a teaching member. In co-teaching, written feedback from TM on at least two occasions, is recommended. Rational: as 2 above.
  5. Co-teach with a Teaching Member. Preferably with two different TMs. This teaching should not only be clinical, but also include coaching trainees for ISST requirements (e.g., preparing and writing a case for ISST membership, writing a symbol paper and other requirements for ISST membership). At least one of the co-teaching sessions should be at an introductory/fundamental level of Sandplay therapy. Rationale: This provides a demonstration of effective teaching skills and appropriate content including knowledge of the Jungian theoretical base. Evidence: Written feedback from Teaching Member is recommended.
  6. On two occasions Co-facilitate with one or more ISST Teaching Members two Sandplay group supervisions or clinical discussions. Rationale: This provides an opportunity to develop supervision content and style. Evidence: Satisfactory feedback by ISST Teaching Member co-supervising.
  7. Be familiar with ISST Statutes, Rules of Procedures and Code of Ethics and pass then on to prospective students. Rational: Such knowledge is important because Teaching Members can be approached by any potential students, including those from countries without an ISST Member Society, for advice or mentoring on working towards ISST Certification.

Application form

Download the Teaching Member application form – updated November 2023

Time Frame: There is no deadline for the completion of these requirements. Individuals are encouraged to work towards meeting these requirements at a pace that is comfortable for them.

Procedure: The prospective Teaching Member is advised to identify an ISST Teaching Member of at least two years standing to act as Teaching consultant. The Teaching consultant will advise and provide direction for applicants in their preparation to become a Teaching member. They will also collate evidence and when all requirements are met to their satisfaction will propose the applicant and forward evidence to the ISST secretary who will log the application and forward to the certification committee. The teaching consultant will not necessarily fulfill the evaluation of all items 1-7 as these may be conducted by various Teaching members.

The onus is on the ISST member wishing to prepare for Teaching Member status to make arrangements with Certified Teaching members to fulfil these requirements. Any costs that may be incurred are negotiated directly with the Teaching members concerned. Arrangements for this are made directly with a Certified Teaching member.

Independent Members must advise the ISST Secretary who their Teaching Consultant is when they embark on preparation to become a Teaching Member.