Application and Examination Regulations for Candidates and Professional Sandplay Analysts of the China Society for Sandplay Therapy (CSST) of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST) , and the Method of Obtaining the Professional Qualification of CSST for C/B/A Members of the Guangdong Association for Analytical Psychology (GAAP)

In September 2019, the general meeting of the International Society for Sandplay Therapy (ISST) was held in Berlin, Germany, and the establishment of the China Society for Sandplay Therapy (CSST) was officially approved. Then CSST became a member of ISST. According to the ISST charter, CSST is the only professional legal society accredited by ISST in Mainland China. The charter, ethics code, and training assessment standards of the CSST have been endorsed by ISST, and it is responsible for cultivating Chinese sandplay analysts with international qualification (referred to as "sandplay analysts", equivalent to sandplay therapist of the ISST).

In November 2019, the 10th National Conference of Analytical Psychology and Sandplay Therapy was held in Hangzhou. During the conference, the China Society for Sandplay Therapy (CSST) of ISST formally held its general meeting, voted to approve the organization of CSST, and notified the charter, ethics codes, training and assessment standards and other documents of the CSST.

In order to promote the sound development of the sandplay profession in China, including standardizing its training requirements and assessment standards, promoting the professional practice and research of sandplay, as well as the constructing of professional ethics, after the discussion of academic working committee of CSSA and GAAP, the following opinions and methods were proposed for the application and assessment regulations of CSST candidate and professional sandplay analysts and for the Method of Obtaining the Professional Qualification of CSST for C/B/A Members of GAAP.

The academic working committee of CSST and GAAP has deliberated on the application and assessment of CSST candidates and professional sandplay analysts. The following opinions and methods are proposed for the application and assessment of CSST candidates and professional sandplay analysts, as well as the professional qualification certification of B/A members of Guangdong Association of Psychoanalytic Studies (GAAP).

I. Apply for CSST Candidates Sandplay Analyst

CSST accepts applications for “candidate of sandplay analysts” from qualified candidates and arranges the corresponding professional examinations in accordance with the charter, ethics code, training requirements and assessment standards and procedures of ISST/CSST.
Applicants are required to submit an application letter indicating acceptance of the CSST charter and ethics code and voluntarily join the CSST as a candidate analyst.
Applicants are required to submit their resume, including their experience in sandplay and their professional training (personal analysis, internship, supervision, etc.)
Those who pass the review and meet the CSST requirements can become a candidate of CSST sandplay analysts.
CSST recognizes "B-level" qualifications recognized by GAAP. Those who have the GAAP “B-level” supervision qualification shall apply and will obtain the qualified qualification of CSST mid-term assessment after being reviewed or assessed.

II. Apply for CSST Sandplay Analyst

CSST accepts applications for “sandplay analysts” from qualified candidates and arranges the corresponding professional examinations in accordance with the charter, ethics code, training requirements and assessment standards and procedures of ISST/CSST.
Applicants are required to submit an application letter indicating acceptance of the CSST charter and ethics code and voluntarily join the CSST as a sandplay analyst.
Applicants are required to submit their resume, including their experience in sandplay and their professional training (personal analysis, internship, supervision, etc.) The reports of personal psychological growth and professional development are also needed.
According to the conditions and standards of CSST/ISST professional membership, "A-level" members of GAAP who meet the CSST membership application requirements will be qualified as CSST sand tour analysts after being reviewed or assessed.
CSST accepts applications from qualified candidates, who will be “Teaching Member” of CSST after passing the professional examination in accordance with the requirements for professional members to obtain "Teaching Member" of ISST.

According to membership charter of CSST, CSST members are divided into three types: certified professional members, honorary members and ordinary members. Those who meet the requirements as “C-level” of GAAP can apply for CSST ordinary membership. The CSST charter, rights and obligations of members, ethics code, training requirements, examination conditions, application and procedures for examination are published in the CSST documents and on the website (or through the International Society link on the ISST website).

China Society for Sandplay Therapy of ISST

Guangdong Association for Analytical Psychology

March 12, 2021

Appendix: terms of the certification method

The expression of Sandplay therapist in ISST as "Sandplay analyst" is in consideration of the corresponding provisions of China's mental health law and the development of Sandplay in China; meanwhile, it is also in line with the consensus of ISST on Sandplay therapy: Sandplay is a psychotherapy method founded by Dora Karf on the basis of Jung's analytical psychology.