The Moving Stories™ Method
A Multi-Sensory Approach to Learning and Relationship
About the Method
In Moving Stories™, props for therapeutic stories are kept in kits, making up a three- dimensional library. The stories are told in the theater of a sandtray. After hearing the story, individuals are invited to reflect upon the meaning and explore their own creative response, often in the sandtray, but also in writing, walks and drawing. Then these creations/experiences are shared and processed together.
For All Ages
The attuned and flexible approach can be adapted for use with individuals, families, groups and classrooms.
Trauma Informed
The book “Trauma Responsive Schooling: Centering Student Voice and Healing” provides a description of the application of the Moving Stories™ method in schools. The Moving Stories™ method is appropriate for all kinds of life challenges, but particularly for those with traumatic stressors as play, symbols and story provide a safe way to explore and modulate feelings.
Multisensory Listening
A key part of the method involves “multisensory listening”, where the storyteller tunes into both what is said and shown through symbols and play.
Dr. Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., RPT-S, BCN
A creative community leader, trainer and author, she has a special interest in expressive and nature-based approaches to healing. Dr. Duffy is the creator of Moving Stories™, an approach that integrates three passions--play therapy, sandtray therapy, and bibliotherapy.
In addition to a series of therapeutic Moving Stories, she is is author of the children’s book, “Finding Diamonds".
The Story of Moving Stories™
My play therapy office was in a trailer and it was a great place for play group when my children were little, but to my kids and their friends it was "Trailer School. It was accurate in the same way that a striped cat is named “Stripes” or a brown dog “Brownie.”
On Trailer School days at my office, we made butter, gardened, learned the life cycle of lady bugs, and tried out child yoga poses. Moving Stories™ was my contribution to play group.
With ready access to my sandtray therapy room, I made up stories and told them in the sandtray, inviting the children to respond in their own creative ways often with their own stories. The story pieces were kept in decorated boxes for the children to play with.
That was in 2007, when my children were 3 and 4. Over time I developed a relationally based approach to storytelling and listening that I call the Moving Stories™ method. My training as a play therapist and Godly Play Sunday School Instructor inspired the playful and engaging approach that is powerful not only for little ones, but for people across the lifespan.
Telling Moving Stories™ and most importantly listening to the creative response to the stories, is a skill that can be learned, especially if by nature you are a playful healing person.
I hope that you will become a part of the ever-evolving Moving Story community.
Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., RPT-S, BCN
Creator of Moving Stories™