Sand Study Circle: October 2026

Doris Curry is a licensed clinical social worker, Registered Sand Therapist C/T with the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals, Registered Play TherapistTM, and Registered Circle of Security ParentingTM Course Facilitator. She is the founder of Acceptance and Commitment Sandtray Therapy (ACST), an emerging framework integrating contextual behavioral science, interpersonal neurobiology, and the meaningful experiential possibilities of this modality. Doris serves as a Visiting Researcher at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as part of the Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group, where she is leading a pilot study evaluating a year-long ACST training program. She is also the author of The Emergence of Acceptance and Commitment Sandtray Therapy: A Novel Framework, published in The World Journal for Sand Therapy (2024). Doris provides virtual trainings and workshops for mental-health professionals worldwide, integrating interpersonal process-based principles with experiential sand tray processes that honor personal meaning and lived experience.

Nathalie is a certified sand therapist and art therapist, a trained eco-art therapist, and a play therapist practitioner. She holds an extensive academic background in international development, theology, administration, education, and the medical field. Throughout her career, she has worked as a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) expert in various countries across the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Nathalie is also the author of two books: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and TVET Sector Mentorship Program for Soft Skills. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Nathalie offers both virtual and in-person sessions in private practice with youth and adults. She follows a person-centered approach, creating an inclusive and supportive environment where participants feel safe, heard, and valued. Her primary focus is working with neurodivergent individuals as well as people with both visible and invisible disabilities. Drawing from her international experience, she brings a deep understanding of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) and is highly attuned to the needs of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Nathalie has presented at multiple conferences for the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA), the Canadian Association for Sandplay Therapy (CAST) and the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP), sharing insights on the role of sand therapy in supporting individuals with visible/invisible disabilities and GESI.