Rewilding from within: The significance of the beaver in a child's sandplay therapy

ABSTRACT

This article explores the symbol of the beaver and its loss and eventual return to the UK wetlands. The author considers the possible root of the absence of this creature from the cultural life and memory of the British people linking this to the shadow aspects of the beaver's engineering prowess. Connections are made to the psychotherapeutic work of a nine-year-old-girl with deep early wounding. The beaver, as symbol, appeared to represent a wounded aspect of herself that suffered such an overwhelming hunger for nourishment that it had to be excluded and rejected. Some of her symptoms included a need to control life through ritualistic behaviors. Through her work in the sand the young girl was able to integrate her deep needs and access resources that helped her to restabilize and prepare for the developmental challenges ahead. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)