관계외상을 경험한 아동의 모래놀이치료과정에서 나타나는 모성상징에 대한 연구

A study about the maternal symbols in the sandplay therapy process of the child who experienced relationship trauma

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in maternal symbols by analyzing the sand play therapy process of a child who had experienced maternal relationship trauma. Using qualitative methods, this study examined counseling records containing verbal and nonverbal expressions of the child during therapy sessions, sand play images created by the child, and counseling records with his mother. The examination reveals the maternal symbols took the form of ‘Terrible Mother’ in the early therapy sessions due to the negative parenting experience of the children. Mid-session, the ‘Good Mother’ archetype begins to emerge. The children repeated fostering play and played that expressed omnipotence. In late-mid-session, the maternal aspects of the Great Mother, who possessed both good and bad characteristics, were expressed. In the late sessions, the primary needs of the children were resolved and the concept of ‘bad but loving real mother’ was expressed. The research here confirmed that the relationship between child and mother is improved when maternal symbols are understood and expressed positively. As the child s ego develops in a healthy direction, the symptoms of their trauma subside.