16-19 April 2026 Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit
I will be speaking at Geek Therapy's virtual conference, TAGGS 2026 taking place 16-19 April.
TAGGS is the Therapeutic and Applied Geek and Gaming Summit.
My presentation is on ‘Breaking Blocks: Exploring Rebellion, Resistance, and Renewal in Minecraft’
In therapeutic work, many clients struggle to express anger, fear, frustration, or a desire to push back against experiences that feel overwhelming or unjust. Within the safety of Minecraft’s block-based world, these suppressed emotions often surface as creative, symbolic, and sometimes explosive acts of rebellion.
This workshop explores how clients use Minecraft as a space to rehearse resistance, reclaim agency, and express defiance through play. Drawing on examples from individual and family therapy sessions, we will look at the therapeutic meaning behind moments such as blowing up structures with TNT, pouring lava over disliked objects, hiding in underground tunnels, constructing escape routes, writing secret messages, or deliberately breaking things to start again.
Rather than dismissing these scenes as “just messing around,” we will examine how they can reveal important narratives related to autonomy, protection, protest, secrecy, repair, and hope. Participants will consider how to join clients in these symbolic acts while maintaining safety, attunement, and therapeutic boundaries.
This session will highlight the potential for Minecraft to become a safe place where clients can experiment with power, control, and choice in ways that may feel too risky, too vulnerable, or too impossible in the offline world.
Discover the full schedule and book your place here:
