Thai integrative wellness resort RAKxa has introduced an innovative therapy that uses figurines and sand to help guests process trauma without the need for verbal expression.

As hotels and resorts increasingly embrace mental health alongside traditional wellness treatments, Bangkok's RAKxa has introduced an innovative therapy that uses sand to help guests process emotional challenges.

Sand Tray Therapy, also known as Neuroscience and Satia in the Sand Tray (NSST), allows participants to work through personal issues using a range of symbolic representations – figurines, dolls, sculptures and charms - and arranging them in a sand-filled tray.

At RAKxa, Sand Tray Therapy sessions are guided by wellness advisor Nokmalee Tepin, who combines nursing expertise with Traditional Chinese Medicine. "This therapy offers a creative and gentle way to access deep-rooted emotions," says Tepin, whose treatment is particularly recommended for those experiencing work-related burnout, past trauma, or difficulty expressing emotions verbally.

The introduction reflects a broader shift in luxury hospitality, where properties are expanding beyond traditional massages and facials to address rising demand for mental health support.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants was among the first wave to include mental health services on its roster, partnering with leading online behavioural health company, Talkspace, back in 2022.

Beyond this partnership, as reported by CN Traveller, the holistic wellness-minded Miraval Resorts is collaborating with The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to create virtual events and video content, all designed to increase awareness of mental well-being and widen access to resources for travellers who might be struggling with their own mental health.

Sleep, a continually elusive mistress for millions, is being touted as a new luxury at wellness retreats across the globe – a trend that took root before the pandemic and has only grown in popularity.

Meanwhile, at 30,000 feet, anxious fliers are finding succour with targeted video content:JetBlue reports that its guided breath work and meditation videos, produced in partnership with Mindfulness studio Open, are now the second most-watched in-flight content on their planes after Curb Your Enthusiasm.

For a deeper experience, RAKxa suggests combining sand therapy with complementary treatments including mindfulness meditation, energy medicine, and acupuncture.

This comprehensive approach to emotional wellness represents a new frontier for high-end hotels, as guests increasingly seek more than just physical relaxation from their wellness experiences.

by Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER