September 2026 Newsletter

News
Written By Ellie Finch

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 a Therapeutic Tool training programme. It's something I've been working towards for a while, and I'm really pleased it's finally here.

If you've been thinking about joining the training, there's also a limited-time offer: you can save £80 when you enrol on Level 1 and Level 2 together.

In this month's Service Spotlight, we're sharing the work of Ormiston Families, who have been using Minecraft to support children who have experienced the imprisonment of a parent or close family member. It's a thoughtful example of how Minecraft can open up space for children to express what's happening for them.

Read the newsletter here.

You can subscribe to the PlayMode Academy Newsletter here. Subscribers receive 20% off our self-paced trainings and two free digital resources.

Ellie Finch

Ellie Finch, MA MBACP (Accred), is a clinical supervisor, counsellor, and social worker specialising in support for neurodivergent clients and families of children with additional needs or complex conditions.

Ellie is known for her innovative use of creative digital tools and videogames like Minecraft in therapy to create accessible, engaging support. She is founder of PlayMode Academy, a non-profit social venture that trains professionals in the therapeutic use of creative digital tools.

PlayMode® Academy is part of Ellie Finch Counselling, Consultancy and Training Ltd, a non-profit company limited by guarantee.

Ellie is also part of the University of Cambridge research team behind Bridging the ChASM: Creating Accessible Services using Minecraft - a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) that explores the therapeutic potential of videogames and how they can be used to create more inclusive mental health support.

NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT SERVICE. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT

https://www.playmodeacademy.org
Next

Celebrating our September Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: Level 2 cohort