2. Zhang Risheng's therapy incorporated many oriental elements and ideas, trying to provide the eastern ideological basis for Sanding with oriental philosophy and aesthetic thinking. I'm not sure about Shen.
3. After Zhang Risheng's therapy was introduced, he himself made some changes, especially the group sand table game, which was different from the international rules. According to the papers I have read, Shen's should be based on international rules.
Personally, I think sandplay is a kind of philosophical thinking therapy, which is very different from cognitive therapy. Compared with cognitive therapy, sandbox games are more emotional, which requires psychological counselors to have higher personal perception. Of course, consultation itself has higher requirements for the personal feelings and perceptions of consultants.
I think that as long as you learn any kind of therapy, you won't find it magical, but a feeling that you can feel with your heart.
That's all I know. I am studying sandplay therapy in Zhang Risheng, and my teacher is studying for a doctorate with him.