Template

Sandtray Session Note

A structured note for sandtray sessions. Fill it in your browser and print to PDF, copy as text into your EHR, or print blank for handwritten notes. Designed to support chart review, supervision, and IEP/504 documentation.

Fillable in browser Print-friendly De-identified by design
Privacy note

Use a client identifier (initials, case number, or code) instead of a full name. This template is rendered locally in your browser — Sandstories does not transmit or store anything you type here. When you copy or print, the resulting note becomes the responsibility of your practice's documentation system.

Session Identifiers

Avoid full names in this template.
Naming the frame protects your work in chart review.

Autonomic State (Polyvagal-Coded)

Ventral = social engagement & safety. Sympathetic = mobilization. Dorsal = shutdown / collapse. (See Polyvagal-Informed Sandtray.)
A few sentences is enough. The pattern across sessions becomes the longitudinal data.

The Tray

If the digital tray was used, save the screenshot to the client file separately and reference it here (e.g., "see screenshot 2026-05-05_session4.png").
Themes belong to the work, not to a fixed dictionary. Prefer plain-language description over symbolic shorthand.

Clinical Reasoning

If none, write "None observed this session." Defensible documentation requires the negative finding.
Strengths-based notes support IEP/504 work and protect against deficit-only chart narratives.

Plan

Note copied to clipboard.

How to use this note

Fill it in the browser. Everything stays on your device — Sandstories never sees what you type. When you're done, use Print / Save as PDF to produce a clean record, or Copy as plain text to paste the note into your EHR or note-taking system.

Use the same template every time. Consistency makes patterns visible. Reading six notes that share a structure tells you something quickly that six narrative notes cannot.

Print blank for handwriting. Click Print / Save as PDF without filling anything in to get a blank form. Many school counselors keep a small stack of blanks in a clipboard for between-bell sessions, then transcribe later.

Documentation reminder

This template is a structure, not legal advice on charting. Your jurisdiction, license, employer, and any insurance contracts will all have additional requirements. When in doubt, consult your supervisor and your liability carrier.