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Marshall Lyles

Integrating Attachment Knowledge and
Trauma Care 
with The Arts.

What's New?

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I'm on Teachable!

A curated collection of on-demand videos hosted on Teachable, focused on practical skills, thoughtful frameworks, and hands-on learning. Expect new releases, bonus sessions, and updates as the library continues to grow.

Dissociation: Holding All States of Consciousness

Upcoming Events

  • Healing for Healers Series: 3-Day Multimodal Creative Arts Retreat
    Healing for Healers Series: 3-Day Multimodal Creative Arts Retreat
    Feb 19, 2026, 9:00 AM CST – Feb 21, 2026, 4:30 PM CST
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    Healers deserve space to be nurtured, too. This three-day creative retreat invites participants into clay, expressive writing, and sandtray to reconnect with playful experimentation and gently listen to often overlooked parts of self within a supportive, covenant-centered group setting.
  • Attachment: Recognizing safe haven and secure base in the sand tray
    Attachment: Recognizing safe haven and secure base in the sand tray
    Feb 28, 2026, 9:30 AM CST – Mar 01, 2026, 4:00 PM CST
    Webinar
    This two-day online workshop explores how attachment needs for safe haven and secure base can be recognized and held through expressive and sandtray therapy. Participants will deepen understanding of trauma-informed attachment work while gaining experiential practical interventions for clinical work
  • Disenfranchised grief - Deconstructing Internalized Ableism virtual experiential study groups
    Disenfranchised grief - Deconstructing Internalized Ableism virtual experiential study groups
    Mar 10, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Virtual
    Disenfranchised grief- Deconstructing internalized ableism in a small-group experiential virtual study. Participants will engage reflective exercises designed to examine and gently challenge internalized ableism within a supportive learning space.
  • Person-of-the-Therapist Intensive Consultation Group (Virtual)
    Person-of-the-Therapist Intensive Consultation Group (Virtual)
    Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT
    Virtual
    In this intimate virtual consultation group, participants present a clinical struggle while exploring the personal themes it has stirred. Through expressive activities and shared reflection, healers receive needed care and deepen connection before reaching for new professional insight.
  • Exploring Attachment Rhythms in Sandtray Therapy
    Exploring Attachment Rhythms in Sandtray Therapy
    Mar 26, 2026, 9:00 AM – Mar 28, 2026, 4:45 PM
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
  • Healing for Healers Series: Working with Body through Clay
    Healing for Healers Series: Working with Body through Clay
    Apr 03, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT – Apr 04, 2026, 4:30 PM CDT
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    This two-day clay intensive invites healers into somatic exploration through guided sculpting and reflective dialogue, centering process over product.
  • EMDR, Expressive Arts, and Dissociative Presentations
    EMDR, Expressive Arts, and Dissociative Presentations
    Apr 17, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT – Apr 18, 2026, 4:45 PM CDT
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    This two-day training explores how EMDR and expressive arts can be integrated to address trauma-related dissociative presentations. Designed for clinicians, it offers practical tools, attachment-informed frameworks, and 12 EMDRIA CEs.
  • Unpacking Neurodiversity and Ableism Study Group for Healers
    Unpacking Neurodiversity and Ableism Study Group for Healers
    May 21, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT – May 23, 2026, 4:30 PM CDT
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    This three-day in-person study group invites healers to examine neurodiversity and ableism through experiential learning and guided dialogue. Participants will explore systemic and internalized ableism, affirming practices, and practical tools for inclusive, advocacy-centered work.
  • Belonging, Encouragement, and Safe Haven: Integrating Adlerian Play Therapy with Attachment‑Based Practice
    Belonging, Encouragement, and Safe Haven: Integrating Adlerian Play Therapy with Attachment‑Based Practice
    Jun 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM CDT
    Webinar
    Join Terry Kottman and Marshall Lyles for a 5 CE experiential webinar integrating Adlerian play therapy and attachment-based practice. Learn practical tools through case examples plus sand and art demonstrations.
  • The Art of Stewardship: Advanced Practice, Teaching, and Creative Leadership in Sand Therapy
    The Art of Stewardship: Advanced Practice, Teaching, and Creative Leadership in Sand Therapy
    Aug 13, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT – Aug 15, 2026, 3:30 PM CDT
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    The Art of Stewardship is a three-day advanced training for seasoned sand therapists expanding into consultation, teaching, and creative leadership. Participants deepen clinical mastery while building workshop frameworks and written contributions to the field.
  • Rooted Growth: A Three-Day Exploration of Person-of-the-Play-Therapist
    Rooted Growth: A Three-Day Exploration of Person-of-the-Play-Therapist
    Sep 03, 2026, 9:00 AM – Sep 05, 2026, 3:30 PM
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    This three-day workshop invites therapists to deepen self-awareness and strengthen their clinical presence through the metaphor of a growing tree. Through experiential practice and reflection, participants will cultivate resilience, clarity, and a sustainable vision for their professional path.
  • The Story That Remembers You: A Retreat for Spiritual Storytelling
    The Story That Remembers You: A Retreat for Spiritual Storytelling
    Sep 25, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT – Sep 26, 2026, 4:30 PM CDT
    Austin, 300 Allen St, Austin, TX 78702, USA
    The Story That Remembers You is a two-day retreat where you’ll return to your story with gentleness and honesty. Join Terry Kottman and Marshall Lyles September 25–26, 2026 in Austin for reflection, guided prompts, and creative expression.
  • Rebodying the Self of the Healer 9 Month Program
    Rebodying the Self of the Healer 9 Month Program
    Multiple Dates
    Hybrid (Online and In-Person)
    Multiple Dates
    Hybrid (Online and In-Person)
    This nine-month experiential journey invites therapists to reconnect with the part of themselves that is Healer, not just clinician. Through expressive practices, relational neuroscience, attachment work, and community, participants will rebody intuition, spirituality, and hope in their healing work

Updates from Marshall

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Testimonials

Marshall Lyles has shaped me both personally and professionally in such lasting ways. I first sought him out to learn more about sandtray therapy, and it quickly became much more than that. Through his trainings and consultations, I learned new ways to think about EMDR, dissociation, attachment, and human suffering. He changed my language and the way I conceptualize cases, and helped me create treatment paths that feel respectful and truly centered on the person.

 

He bridges the clinical world with such a deep understanding of humanity, and both my clients and I really feel the difference. The impact he has on me is not just clinical. Before working with Marshall, I didn’t realize I could write and sculpt in the ways I do now. His clay workshop and his work with words are one of a kind. The way he teaches and describes complex concepts has changed how I show up as a clinician and as a person. I will always be his student.

United States

Testimonials

Bonnie Badenoch, LMFT

Anyone who has the good fortune to spend time with Marshall will have a uniquely rich experience. His wisdom, heart, humor, and kind presence open the door to healing, to learning, to play. Whatever it is you most need.  My time with him at his workshop felt like cool water on a hot day - and the experience has stayed with me for years.

United States

Testimonials

Ekta Bid

"Marshall is the best at what he does. Authentic, and you can feel his passion. Grateful for him in my life."

Kenya

Testimonials

Marshall Lyles brings brilliance, wisdom, and steadiness to his teaching, creating learning environments where safety, care, and authenticity come first. He weaves complex ideas from across disciplines into learning that is usable, humane, and integrated, without overwhelming or privileging information over lived experience. His work is rooted in care, equity, and “power-with” relationships, rejecting rigid binaries and oppressive frameworks in favor of dignity, presence, and genuine connection.

United States

Testimonials

Rene Ohlhoff 

Marshall carries a sincere heart for helping others, meeting people with humility, gentleness, and deep humanity. His presence has a quiet way of touching others, creating connection without needing recognition. His humanness is felt and deeply appreciated.  I always feel deeply honoured to share a space with Marshall.  Thank you for ALWAYS sharing your kindness in such a tangible way.

United Kingdom

Testimonials

Terry Kottman, Ph.D., RPT-S, LMHC

With his unique blend of wisdom, knowledge, experience, and humor, Marshall creates an incredible space for learning and personal growth. He is my very favorite teacher in a lifetime of seeking. 

United States

Testimonials

Julie Burton

Marshall carries a sincere heart for helping others, meeting people with humility, gentleness, and deep humanity. His presence has a quiet way of touching others, creating connection without needing recognition. His humanness is felt and deeply appreciated.  I always feel deeply honoured to share a space with Marshall.  Thank you for ALWAYS sharing your kindness in such a tangible way.

South Africa

Testimonials

What a pleasure it is to interact with Marshall in a variety of settings: whether it is teaching in Istanbul or Austin TX, or intensive writing experiences. His sense of curiosity and humor are always motivating and enjoyable!

United States

Testimonials

Ana Gomez

Whether in the therapy room or the teaching space, Marshall Lyles brings depth, clarity, and a grounded relational presence. Learning with Marshall is not only about acquiring answers, but about cultivating discernment, humility, and meaning—and about learning how to stay present with complexity, uncertainty, and the unfolding of human experience. He does not instruct from above; he invites from within, creating spaces where reflection, integration, and transformation can naturally unfold.

United States

Testimonials

MPsc. Marcela Barguil Gallardo

I have been very fortunate to participate in both personal and professional training and development experiences with Marshall Lyles. Throughout these experiences, he has consistently stood out not only for his strong theoretical and technical expertise, but also for his exceptional sensitivity and relational presence—qualities that cultivate a deep sense of attunement, safety, and trust.

From the moment I entered his space, The Workshop, I was struck by the warmth and positive presence it conveyed. Marshall’s depth of knowledge, his way of relating to others, and the intentionality of the physical environment converge to create an experience that is both profound and transformative. The result is a learning process that extends well beyond the acquisition of knowledge, facilitating deep integration and meaningful personal and professional growth.

Costa Rica

Testimonials

Layza, Selin & Sonnur with Simge Psikoloji

Marshall is an excellent trainer  whom we have had the pleasure of working for many years. He is one of the pioneers bringing sand tray play therapy  and expressive play therapy to Turkey with such an enthusiasm that motivates us all. 

During the trainings Marshall consistently demonstrates exceptional teaching skills and makes learning very effective even with diverse backgrounds and therapeutic skill levels.


His trainings are one of the most comprehensive, insightful, and professionally enriching trainings. Marshall combines deep clinical expertise with an engaging and supportive teaching style, making complex therapeutic concepts both accessible and meaningful.


He demonstrates remarkable sensitivity, ethical awareness, and clinical competence. He creates a safe, reflective, and interactive learning environment where participants feel encouraged to ask questions, share experiences, and grow professionally. He integrates theory with practical, real-life case examples greatly that enhances the learning process.


Marshall’s mentorship, clarity, and warmth leave a lasting impact on everyone who has the privilege of learning from him. We feel the priviledge to organize trainings with  and supervised by him. He is a great mentor.

Turkiye 

Testimonials

Dr. Tanya Defferary

Marshall’s work has deeply influenced the worlds of therapy, expressive arts, sandtray, and EMDR. His understanding of what it means to be human, and the way he brings this into his work, is truly remarkable. There is a quiet magic in his approach to his work. The way he weaves stories through spoken word and poetry reaches the deepest parts of one's soul, touching something deeply embodied and real.

 

Being in his presence is quietly transformative. The way he works demonstrates such depth of attunement, care, and a great ancient wisdom. I can wholeheartedly recommend his work (whether it be a workshop or an individual consultation) to those seeking insight, growth, and genuine transformation, both professionally and personally.

South Africa

Testimonials

Dr Annelies Lamote

Marshall and I met only one year ago during a workshop in Austin. What immediately struck was his calm kindness and curiosity and his humble nature, despite the wealth of knowledge and experience he has in the field of trauma therapy.

 

When I had a very tough case in my practice, with a child that only could express herself in the sand tray I texted him to ask if he could help me. He almost immediately replied that he was willing to help out and a supervision session was booked the same week. I was in awe, that a person like him would make time to help me. The supervision sessions were helpful, creating insight, providing me with  exactly what I needed at that time. He gave me the feeling that I was not alone in this case, which gave me the courage to keep going. 

Australia  

Testimonials

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S

Marshall has a rare and beautiful ability to speak straight to the heart of what truly needs attention, always with honesty, wisdom, and incredible humor. Teaching with him and learning from him is truly a gift — each experience is meaningful and transformative. I always know I’ll grow when I’m with him, not just professionally but personally, and that the depth of what we create together and what I learn from him will stay with me long after.

 

Unites States

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