A huge thank you to Hatch Enterprise UK for awarding me a Hatch Fund grant. It'll help me build capacity at PlayMode Academy so the work depends less on me alone, and more practitioners can offer children engaging, accessible support using videogames and creative digital tools. playmodeacademy.org

Our latest newsletter is out, and it comes with some lovely news. PlayMode Academy is now an Approved Provider with the Association for Play Therapy (APT), so we can offer play therapy CE hours for our Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool training programme. playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

September 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

I have some lovely news to share this month. PlayMode Academy is now an Approved Provider with the Association for Play Therapy (APT), so we can offer play therapy CE hours for our Using Minecraft as ...

playmodeacademy.org

playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: September Level 2 Cohort — Playmode Academy

Celebrating our September Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: Level 2 cohort, with feedback from practitioners in Australia, Singapore and the UK, plus upcoming training dates for November and May.

playmodeacademy.org

Our July/August newsletter is out. CPD certification confirmed across all practitioner courses, a UnLtd Scaling Up Award, a NeuroPathways service spotlight, and £80 off Level 1 and Level 2 together for a limited time. playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

July-August 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

CPD certification is now confirmed across all our practitioner courses, and we've got a full academic year of Level 2 dates in place. For a limited time, you can also save £80 when you enrol on Level ...

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playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

Celebrating Our Latest Level 2 Cohort - Fireworks and All — Playmode Academy

We’re celebrating our most recent Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: Level 2 cohort, who finished their training this July - fireworks and all! Practitioners spent the sessions building skills and...

playmodeacademy.org

My latest newsletter is out! Big news this edition: CPD certification confirmed for two of our live trainings, a full academic year of Level 2 dates, and our new impact survey report. Plus research, books, and more. playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

May-June 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

This edition has some big news - CPD certification confirmed for our live courses: Level 2 in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool and Using Creative Digital Tools Therapeutically, a full academic ye...

playmodeacademy.org

My April newsletter is out! A review from a complete gaming novice who left excited to use Minecraft with clients, reflections on Games for Change London, upcoming events, and 20% off Level 1. playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

April 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

This month's newsletter includes a review from a recent Level 2 training - from a practitioner who came in as a complete gaming novice and left genuinely excited to get started with clients; a reflect...

playmodeacademy.org

If you haven't come across the Good Enough Counsellor podcast by Josephine Hughes, it's well worth a listen. I caught up with her at the BACP CYP Conference in March - we talked about PlayMode Academy and training practitioners to use Minecraft therapeutically. josephinehughes.com/new-ideas-fo...

New Ideas for Therapists: Books, Research and Creative Approaches - Josephine Hughes

Explore new ideas for therapists, including books, research tools, creative approaches like Minecraft in therapy, and practical ways to save time in private practice.

josephinehughes.com

This week I'll be speaking on ‘Creating Accessible Play Therapy Spaces for Neurodivergent Clients in Minecraft’ at the Geek Play Therapy Summit -an online gathering hosted by A New Hope Academy exploring video games, fandom and pop culture in therapeutic work. www.anewhopeacademy.org/geekplay26

Geek Play Therapy Summit 2026 | A New Hope Academy

Are you ready to unlock the transformative power of geek culture in therapy? Join us for A New Hope Play Therapy's annual Geek Play Therapy Summit, where we bring together experts, practitioners, and ...

anewhopeacademy.org

I will be speaking on ‘Breaking Blocks: Exploring Rebellion, Resistance, and Renewal in Minecraft’ at Geek Therapy's virtual conference taking place 16-19 April. TAGGS is the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit. Discover the full schedule and book your place here: taggs.geektherapy.org

This month's PlayMode Academy newsletter includes a reflection on presenting at the BACP CYP and Families Conference, a 20% discount on Level 1 in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool for subscribers, upcoming Level 2 training dates, and lots more playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

March 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

This month's newsletter includes a reflection on presenting at the BACP Children, Young People and Families Conference, a 20% discount on Level 1 for subscribers, upcoming Level 2 training dates, and ...

playmodeacademy.org

Next week I’ll be presenting at the BACP CYP and Families conference. I’ll be sharing insights from our recent Journal of Family Therapy article on how videogames can be valuable resources in therapy sessions. www.bacp.co.uk/events/cypf2...

PlayMode Academy's February newsletter centres around families – from the newly published Journal of Family Therapy article, to resources supporting families to navigate gaming well. Read the newsletter here: playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

Feb 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

PlayMode Academy's February’s newsletter centres around families – from the newly published Journal of Family Therapy article, to resources supporting families to navigate gaming well, to the BACP Chi...

playmodeacademy.org

What does family therapy look like inside a videogame? Our new research article explores two case studies using Minecraft with neurodivergent children and their families. I’ve shared additional images and reflections here: playmodeacademy.org/resources-an... #familytherapy #minecraft

Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool in Family Therapy — Playmode Academy

Reflections and case material from a newly published Journal of Family Therapy article exploring systemic work with families in Minecraft.

playmodeacademy.org

Over 280 people registered for PlayMode Academy's free webinar, Exploring Grief through Minecraft. Access the webinar recording free here: playmodeacademy.org/training/exp...

Exploring Grief Through Minecraft — Playmode Academy

A free introductory webinar for practitioners supporting bereaved and pre-bereaved children and young people. The session will be recorded and the recording shared with everyone who registers, so you ...

playmodeacademy.org

Wow! Over 180 people have registered for PlayMode Academy’s free webinar on 'Exploring Grief through Minecraft' taking place Tues 3 Feb, 10.30am-12pm GMT. Register for your free place: elliefinch.thinkific.com/products/liv... You can also register to receive the recording if you can’t attend live.

New Event

How can we reach children and young people facing bereavement when words aren’t enough? This introductory webinar explores how Minecraft, the world’s most popular game, can be used as a therapeutic to...

elliefinch.thinkific.com

My first newsletter of 2026 is out. It includes links to free resources, recent research, and upcoming training and events. Do subscribe if you’d like future updates, and feel free to share with colleagues. playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

January 2026 Newsletter — Playmode Academy

This January newsletter shares updates from PlayMode Academy, including upcoming trainings, a free CPD webinar on Exploring Grief in Minecraft, conference dates, and opportunities to get involved in r...

playmodeacademy.org

In the new year, a new webinar will explore how Minecraft can support young people in understanding and expressing grief. For more information: www.exchangewales.org/free-webinar...

If you are curious about using creative digital tools like Minecraft therapeutically you can read my December newsletter here: playmodeacademy.org/resources-an...

December Newsletter — Playmode Academy

If you are curious about using creative digital tools like Minecraft therapeutically, my December newsletter highlights a year of exciting growth for PlayMode Academy, including national media feature...

playmodeacademy.org

I'll be joining MindSite News and Braulio Rivera from WellPower today for a discussion on using Minecraft as a therapeutic tool. The event is free and you can register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Armour stands in various sizes, retextured and remodeled as figurines for @elliefinch.bsky.social @minecraftedu.bsky.social Sandtray World. Great for expressing feelings without the need for words!

This month’s newsletter highlights an exclusive 20% discount on Level 1 in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool for subscribers, an upcoming free live webinar on exploring grief in Minecraft, and feedback from our recent impact survey. www.linkedin.com/pulse/welcom...

Welcome to Ellie Finch’s November Newsletter

If you’re curious about using creative digital tools like Minecraft therapeutically, this newsletter highlights an exclusive 20% discount for newsletter readers, an upcoming free live webinar on explo...

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Dan Noble from @outsidetheblocks.bsky.social, co-creator of the Sandtray Therapy Minecraft World, has created many incredible items for the world. The updated world is coming soon! Register for free access: playmodeacademy.org/visit-our-sa...

ThatMinecraftGuy@outsidetheblocks.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Two types of old style school desks I created that appear in @elliefinch.bsky.social Sandtray Therapy World. #MinecraftEducation #Blockbench #Outsidetheblocks elliefinch.co.uk/training/playmode-academy

My October newsletter is out! This month I reflect on parenting my disabled daughter while building a non-profit, and on playing Minecraft Education with my son - plus free resources, research, and a free webinar for parents: www.linkedin.com/pulse/welcom... #Minecraft #Therapy #Parenting

Welcome to Ellie Finch’s October Newsletter: This month’s focus is Parenting in a Digital World

If you’re curious about using creative digital tools like Minecraft therapeutically, this newsletter highlights free resources, upcoming events, and a service spotlight to inspire you. Hello everyone!...

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A rideable bicycle (modeled on my very own bike) I created for @elliefinch.bsky.social Sandtray Therapy World. #MinecraftEducation #Blockbench #Outsidetheblocks elliefinch.co.uk/training/playmode-academy

Two types of old style school desks I created that appear in @elliefinch.bsky.social Sandtray Therapy World. #MinecraftEducation #Blockbench #Outsidetheblocks elliefinch.co.uk/training/playmode-academy

Love this tractor!

ThatMinecraftGuy@outsidetheblocks.bsky.social · last yr.

A drivable tractor I created for @elliefinch.bsky.social Sandtray Therapy world. #MinecraftEducation #Blockbench #Outsidetheblocks elliefinch.co.uk/training/playmode-academy

I’m really grateful to @familywales.bsky.social for featuring my work on their blog and helping to share how creative digital tools like Minecraft can make mental health and social work support more accessible.

For those of you on LinkedIn... I've just started a newsletter on there....https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/welcome-ellie-finchs-august-newsletter-playmode-academy-ellie-finch-dktje

Welcome to Ellie Finch's August Newsletter for PlayMode Academy!

Hello and welcome! I've been writing a newsletter regularly for a while now but only just discovered you can put them on LinkedIn! So here I am trying out the newsletter feature..

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What does it mean to be a changemaker? For me, it means meeting people where they are – and sometimes, that’s in Minecraft. I spoke about accessible, creative therapy at Creative Cambridge 2025. More here: www.elliefinch.co.uk/post/creativ...

Creative Changemaking: Highlights from Creative Cambridge Conference 2025

What does it mean to be a changemaker?For me, it means creating accessible, engaging services by meeting people exactly where they are – and sometimes, that’s in Minecraft.I was honoured to join the C...

elliefinch.co.uk