USING DIGITAL SANDTRAYS IN ONLINE AND IN-PERSON THERAPY

SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSE

This course gives an overview of digital sandtrays within play therapy and other therapeutic practice: what they are, how they relate to traditional physical sandtray practice, and the range of tools currently available across 2D, 3D, virtual reality, and sandbox videogame formats. It covers delivery considerations for in-person and remote use, walks through the features, access, and practical considerations of nine specific tools, and closes with data protection, security, and informed consent considerations relevant to using digital sandtrays in play therapy and other therapeutic practice.

PlayMode Academy is an APT Approved Provider 26-839.

This program provides 2 APT Non-Contact CE hours.*

£35.00 (per person, group discounts available upon request)

1.5 Hours of Video Content

Course Length:

2 Hours

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Define sandtray practice and outline its therapeutic basis and historical development, from physical to digital approaches, with reference to the Therapeutic Powers of Play and other relevant theoretical frameworks in play therapy and sandtray practice.

Distinguish between traditional and digital sandtrays, including the relative benefits, limitations, and accessibility and cultural considerations of each for play therapy and other therapeutic practice.

Identify the main categories of digital sandtray (2D, 3D, VR, and sandbox videogames) and the distinguishing features of specific examples within each.

Compare delivery considerations for using digital sandtrays in person and remotely, including single-user and multi-user access, within play therapy and other therapeutic practice.

Identify data protection, security, and informed consent considerations relevant to digital sandtray use, in line with ethical practice considerations relevant to play therapy and other therapeutic practice.

Identify practical steps to integrate digital sandtrays into a service or private practice, including updates to practice or session agreements, relevant to play therapy and other therapeutic practice.

Play therapy credit further information

*Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals and to graduate students enrolled in a graduate mental health program or individuals who hold a graduate mental health degree. Courses that do not qualify for play therapy credit are clearly listed.

Please note that the Association for Play Therapy (APT) alone holds the right to accept or deny any continuing education training at its discretion.

No partial CE credit is available. Attendees must be present for live events for the entire duration and complete an evaluation and post-test to obtain credit.

Accommodations

PlayMode Academy respect your sensory needs and will accommodate to make this a meaningful and valuable learning experience for you. For questions or accommodations, please contact us.

‍Grievance policy‍ ‍

PlayMode Academy is committed to fair and equitable treatment of all learners, and to resolving any concerns raised about our training in a fair and timely manner. If you have a grievance about a PlayMode Academy course, please submit this via our contact form. We will acknowledge receipt within 10 working days and aim to respond with next steps within 30 days. Wherever possible, we will take corrective action to help prevent similar issues arising in future.

Cancellation and refund/transfer policy: Self-paced trainings

You can cancel your order within 14 days of purchase, for any reason. You will then be deregistered from the course. If you have any concerns about the course, please contact us via our contact form and we will do our best to help. Full terms and conditions apply, see https://playmodeacademy.org/policies.

Cancellation and refund/transfer policy: Live trainings

You can cancel your order within 14 days of purchase, for any reason. You will then be deregistered from the live training. If you have any concerns about the training, please contact us via our contact form and we will do our best to help. Full terms and conditions apply, see https://playmodeacademy.org/policies.

If PlayMode Academy needs to cancel or reschedule a live cohort, you will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to a future date, whichever you prefer. Full terms and conditions apply, see https://playmodeacademy.org/policies ‍ ‍

MEET YOUR TRAINER: Ellie Finch

Ellie Finch, MA (Social Work), PGDip Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, Accredited Registered Member of BACP, is a counsellor and clinical supervisor specialising in therapeutic work with children, young people, and families. She holds a Master's in Social Work and a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, both from the University of East London, and is a Registered Member of Social Work England. Drawing on experience across CAMHS, schools, charities, and private practice, Ellie is a recognised leader in integrating videogames like Minecraft into therapy to improve engagement and accessibility. She has been delivering training on the therapeutic use of Minecraft and creative digital tools since 2021, and founded the non-profit PlayMode Academy in 2025 to offer structured, ethically grounded training for professionals who want to embed these tools into their practice. Ellie has been supported by Cambridge Social Ventures, Hatch, and UnLtd, organisations that provide specialist support to people building social ventures and mission-led organisations. Ellie was also part of a University of Cambridge research team that explored how videogames can help create more inclusive mental health support.

I highly rate this course.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was informative, role play was excellent in sampling what to use and how to use it.
- Tracey Slater
Opened my eyes to so many more opportunities to support the 'hard to reach'

Learning about all the different options and variety of tools available to use either online or in face-to-face sessions offers so many more ways to support children, young people and their families who have previously felt unable to access more 'traditional' therapy. Working as a CYP counsellor, this gives me the tools and skills to help and support children and families who may struggle with EBSA or similar challenges. Thank you so much Ellie!
- Rike J
Very informative course

This was a very informative course and I'm excited to get started with using the online resources!
- Loraine P
This course was excellent and informative

Interesting CPD. This course was excellent and informative. Demonstrations make it real and helped understanding.
- Angela Symes
Great training and new ideas!

I came into this training very interested in digital sandtrays but unsure how I could practically bring this into my therapy practice. This training has given me knowledge and confidence to add this to my toolbox along with some great ideas. I would highly recommended to other therapists.
- Sharon Telfer