Take your Intermediate Sand Play Training Certificate in Costa Rica and let the nature, peace & magic re-balance your nervous system and deepen your experience. 

Intermediate Sand Play Training

In 2018 Gretchen Morgan (Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Lighthouse Counselling & Sand Play Training Center) began offering their popular Certificate in Sand Play Training curriculum internationally.  This intensive Intermediate Sand Play is 3 full days of training instead of the typical monthly format that is offered in NJ, and takes place in stunning, vibrant Costa Rica.  

Sand Play Trainers: Gretchen Morgan and Toni Zachos Kaplan (who has been leading the Lighthouse NJ Training program since 2018) of Lighthouse Counselling & Sand Play Training Center (www.lcsnj.com)

Equine Facilitated Sand Play 

In this one-of-a-kind training, you will also be working with horses so you can experience and learn about the profound & powerful modality of Equine Facilitated Sand Play.  

This unique modality was created by Gretchen Morgan together with Sally Nilsson (experienced Eponaquest Equine Experiential Learning facilitator and co-founder of Tula Vida) after they explored combining the power of the sand with the wisdom of the horses - and they were blown away by the depth, insight & meaning it added to client experiences.

All horse activities will be on the ground and no horse experience is required.

As you can see in the photos, horses both support the process, interact with clients & engage with the figures. You will see the horses in action and experience it yourself.

Your Stay in Costa Rica

Your stay and the training will take place at the magical Tula Vida Ranch (details below), hosted by Sally Nilsson and Eric Kolesar.

Package Includes: 

• Intermediate Sand Play Training (CEs in New Jersey) at Tula Vida Ranch
• Equine Facilitated Sand Play (the horses live on-site & will also support the training)
• 1 day of Equine Experiential Learning (experiential introduction to client work with horses)
• Access to the ranch - miles of nature trails, areas to relax and watch amazing sunsets 
• Accommodation: 5 nights at Tula Vida Ranch
• All meals on-site
• Transportation to and from Liberia airport (LIR)

Who is it for?

If you have not yet done your intermediate certificate, this is the way to do it.  

Or perhaps you have already done it but you would like a refresher, a like-minded group of peers, a taster of the magic of working with horses, and a wonderful Costa Rica experience.

The only requirement is to have done your Introduction to Sand Play Certificate. 

Continuing Education (CEs) available for this training: 18 CE available through the NJ Social Work Collaborative and NBCC

Away from the sights and sounds of busy human life, we have created an oasis for both humans and horses. Every time we step onto the land we feel the power of the natural world to soothe, nourish and restore us. 

Tula Vida Ranch

Tula Vida Ranch is surrounded by 3 volcanos, an expansive sunset view and pristine rainforest, with rivers, springs and ponds - the horses roam freely in this stunning environment where you will find you can breathe more deeply and re-discover your flow.

Accommodation

Our rooms are beautiful and comfortable with a terrace and individual bathrooms.  

The Villas are double rooms with private bathrooms and a stunning terrace. The Horse Manor has private rooms with a shared kitchen/living area and a stunning terrace where the horses may come and join you for your morning coffee. 

Our communal lodge is where we share meals, practice yoga and is a safe, comfortable space to rest. 

Nourishment

Meals are home-cooked with love, using fresh local ingredients.  Our water comes from our abundant natural springs and we have air fresh from the trees to breathe - everything is designed to be in harmony with the surroundings and support your mind, body and spirit to rest, re-energise and renew.

Environment and Herd

We are 100% off-the-grid with our own solar power and fresh spring water living in harmony with nature while remaining a safe, comfortable human retreat. We even have good internet!

We have planted 1000s of trees and plants already, including a food forest and a nursery for endangered trees, to encourage the forest to regenerate and give wildlife corridors to pass through the neighbouring national parks.  It is a true sanctuary for all visitors, which includes shy tapirs, rare bell-birds and plenty of toucans, sloths and monkeys.

We spend a lot of time out on the stunning 80 acre property - with trails, rivers, waterfalls, valleys, primary rainforest and abundant wildlife - truly accessible nature.  

Tula Vida Foundation is a 501c charity registered in the US with a mission to rescue horses in Costa Rica and sponsor people to come for transformational horse experiences and retreats.

A visit to us supports not just yourself but also the natural environment, the rescue horses, the local community who work with us and people without the means to have these kind of experiences.

Please see Terms & Conditions of booking.

Trip Insurance is required for this trip.  All payments are non-refundable (unless we cancel the training - a minimum of 5 participants is required for it to go ahead).