USING MINECRAFT AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL: LEVEL 1

SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSE

Are you interested in using Minecraft in a safe, ethical, and meaningful way with the children, young people and adults you support?

This self-paced online course is designed for counsellors, therapists, social workers and other professionals who want to integrate Minecraft into their therapeutic work. Whether you're already comfortable in the game or completely new to it, you’ll find everything you need to begin. You don’t need to be a Minecraft expert to start – just someone who holds space for clients with curiosity and care.

This course provides you with the tools you need to start using Minecraft as a therapeutic resource safely and effectively. It includes a comprehensive video instruction library and a range of activities to use with clients within the game.

£180.00 per person (Group discount available upon request)

2.5 Hours of Video Content

Course Length: Approx. 10 Hours

Access duration: 6 months (after this time you can purchase membership for ongoing access to the course materials and community benefits)

Requirements: You'll need access to a Minecraft license to complete this course (the cost of this is not included in the course but the course does contain guidance on purchasing licenses)

Who it’s for: Helping professionals working with children, young people, adults or families in mental health, health care, social care, or community settings

We want to thank KEMP Hospice and the young actors for their participation in this film.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe the potential benefits of using Minecraft as a creative digital tool in therapeutic and professional practice, with reference to relevant theoretical frameworks including the Therapeutic Powers of Play and their application within play therapy and other play-based approaches.

Apply practical skills to integrate Minecraft into sessions in line with play therapy and other therapeutic approaches, including identifying when use may not be appropriate and adapting approaches to different contexts and presenting needs.

Compare the key features, compatibility, and safety considerations of the three main Minecraft editions (Bedrock, Java, and Education) and select the most appropriate edition for a given practice setting.

Create and configure Minecraft worlds, apply key controls and commands, and manage multiplayer connections to support safe and purposeful sessions.

Identify relevant safeguarding considerations, data protection responsibilities, and privacy settings when using Minecraft in professional practice, in line with ethical practice standards relevant to play therapy and other therapeutic approaches.

Select and apply a range of session activities appropriate to different therapeutic goals, drawing on play therapy and other therapeutic techniques and principles, and the needs of the people they are working with.

Identify and troubleshoot common technical problems that may arise when using Minecraft in sessions.

Recognise how factors including neurodivergence, disability, age, and cultural and social context may shape how people engage with digital tools, and adapt their play therapy and other therapeutic practice accordingly.

MEET YOUR TRAINER: Ellie Finch

Ellie Finch, MA MBACP (Accred), is a counsellor, clinical supervisor, and neurodiversity-affirming practitioner specialising in therapeutic work with children, young people, and families. 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. Through her social venture, PlayMode Academy, she offers structured, ethically grounded training for professionals who want to embed creative digital tools into their practice. Her work is supported by Cambridge Social Ventures and UnLtd, and she was part of a University of Cambridge research team that explored how videogames can help create more inclusive mental health support.

  • Absolutely amazing course

    I had watched my sons playing Minecraft for ages before I took this course, and I always thought I would never grasp it, but this course has enabled me to really get the basics which in turn has made me feel more confident about using it with clients.

    - Dan Higgs

  • The best CPD I have completed this year!

    Fantastic and valuable training. The training is thoughtful, well laid out and easy to access. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone in a supportive and encouraging way, and I cannot wait to use Minecraft in practice.

    - Danielle Harris

  • Really great and comprehensive course

    This was a great course which clearly covered things to be aware of in terms of confidentiality, GDPR and technical aspects of hosting a session through Minecraft which was incredibly helpful. It was also fun thinking about different ways the game could be used in a therapeutic setting and was great for generating ideas.

    - Emily Chalder

  • I have managed to overcome, with Ellie's support, the minefield that is Minecraft!

    - Hannah Y

  • Highly recommended!

    Ellie is a knowledgeable trainer who puts "first timers" at ease and the course content is clear and easy to follow.

    - Helen T

  • Healing together, block by block

    When I first heard about this course, I was intrigued. For someone who has grown up with Minecraft and has spent many hours within the game’s creative mode, I was curious to see how you could use it as a therapeutic tool. I myself, have used the game to create fantasy worlds and even build sculptures/buildings that represented my feelings and emotions.

    Being both a visual and hands-on learner, I was happy with having videos and activities to complete. I enjoyed creating my own skin and safe place within the world Ellie had created. Despite my knowledge of the game, I learned new insights into various mechanics from all versions. The education version taught me how to spawn and edit NPCs so they could interact with me and a potential client. Whether you're new to the game or have played it before, Ellie has created a great course to teach you not only how to play the game, but also how to create a safe and constructive environment where younger clients can freely express themselves visually.

    - Joe Grove

  • An informative and interesting training program using Minecraft as a therapeutic tool

    The training felt fun and light with a great range of activities to keep engaged. The interface was intuitive and flowed smoothly. It was easy to see progress and navigate through the training. I liked the quizzes – pitched at a good level with some surprising answers.

    It was helpful to understand Ellie’s journey to Minecraft and I loved her avatar and Minecraft lab. The levels of novelty and attention to detail made working through it a delight.

    - Jonathan Stott

  • I am so glad I enrolled in this course!

    Ellie’s course clearly outlined step by step everything needed to understand the different ways to use Minecraft therapeutically, how to manage the technology side of things and helped build confidence as the course went along. I would highly recommend this course.

    - Kellie Hansen

  • This really is an amazing course

    This course has helped me SO much and I'm definitely more confident with Minecraft now. It’s packed with helpful tips, practical lessons and ongoing help from Ellie. I still jump back into lessons I've completed already to refresh my memory – it's such a great resource. Highly recommended!

    - Lesley Simpson-Gray

  • Off to a good start

    A gentle, supportive and clear introduction.

    - Louise Holdway

  • Engaging and informative course!

    I found this course full of new and interesting content. For someone that already uses Minecraft therapeutically, it included everything I needed. I will definitely be going back over the course again to re-watch some essential, simple videos. The course was engaging, did not cause me to switch off at all and was full of Minecraft colour and fun. I'd definitely recommend getting this course as a necessary toolkit for using Minecraft with children and young people.

    - Natalie Coyne

  • A great introduction to the video game therapy and therapy with Minecraft

    I think Ellie did a great job with this course! I've found out important things about client safety, technical elements, and especially about the creative part which has already helped me to create my own worlds in Minecraft.

    - Oleksii Sukhorukov

  • Really informative

    I found this module really informative as a non-gamer and therapist in terms of how I may use it as a therapeutic tool. As a dramatherapist, it is based on being client-centred and enables the client to lead. A creative and informative tool into the client’s world.

    - Sian Jenner

 

MORE COURSES

 

Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: Level 2

Live, interactive training with a small group of fellow practitioners where you will build on the skills learned in the Level 1 course.

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Free guide to accessing Minecraft Education

Stuggling to access Minecraft Education? Learn how to purchase and set-up Minecraft Education licenses for your family or service.

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Using Digital Sandtrays in Online and In-Person Therapy

This self-paced online training is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of digital sandtrays.

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For organisations:

Using Creative Digital Tools Therapeutically

Gain an understanding of the range of creative digital tools available and their practical applications in a therapeutic context.

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FAQ

  • Based on user feedback, the average time it takes to complete this course is 10 hours. However, this depends on how many editions of Minecraft you are using or planning to use. This is because the course provides instructions for each of the three editions of Minecraft (Bedrock, Java and Education). Therefore, if you are only using/planning to use one of these editions you may complete the course more quickly. The course allows you to skip content that focuses on the editions you are not using/planning to use.

  • During the first 6 months after purchasing this course you have access to community benefits for free.

    Community benefits include:

    • Access to regular online Q&A sessions.

    • Access to regularly updated course materials.

    • Access to a student community.

    After 6 months you have the option of continuing to access the community. The price for community membership is currently £60 per year.

  • Community benefits include:

    • Access to regular online Q&A sessions.

    • Access to regularly updated course materials.

    • Access to a student community.

    After 6 months you have the option of continuing to access the community. The price for community membership is currently £60 per year.

  • £60 per year

  • It is mandatory to have completed Level 1 before going on to Level 2. This is because Level 2 is a live, immersive training where you will be in Minecraft with a small group of students. It's important that you have the fundamentals skills in place before embarking on the Level 2 training. In addition the Level 1 course acts as an ongoing resource library that you can refer back to for guidance on specific tasks such as exporting and importing worlds, setting up worlds for your clients and how to use specific activities.

  • No, this training is created to enable you to integrate your own therapeutic approach in using Minecraft as a therapeutic tool.

  • No. Ellie Finch Counselling Consultancy and Training Ltd does not take responsibility for User's practice and does not certify, qualify, or accredit practitioners. Courses are offered to provide additional tools within the remit of User's profession’s competencies, licensure and registration. Please see terms and conditions for further information: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/30255221

  • No. This course is NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT PRODUCT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT. You will also need to use this phrase on all your informational and promotional materials about your service in accordance with Minecraft's terms.

  • You can take a non-directive or directive approach in Minecraft. Non-directive/client-centered is the core of my own approach and Minecraft lends itself well to this. If you are observing the client play (rather than being in the game yourself) then it feels very much like observing the client make a sandtray or use drawing/painting etc - with you using your usual observation and reflective skills. If you are in the game yourself you can be incredibly client-led - often I'm in the game simply as an observer, sometimes the client asks me to play a game with them like hide and seek, or they might ask me to help to build something with them. I sometimes incorporate a few structured/directive activities (i.e. asking the client to create a safe place near the start of the work) if I think it will support the work. With the course I've aimed to support practitioners to incorporate their own approach to Minecraft so there is no one set way of doing things. That is, it’s not an approach-based training and the courses are offered to provide additional tools within the remit of User's profession’s competencies, licensure and registration. In this Level 1 course I have included a number of activities and ideas for how you can utilise Minecraft therapeutically. Many of the activities have grown organically out of the client-centered work I have done with the children, adults and families I see in my clinical practice.

  • This course guides you step by step through how to use Minecraft as a therapeutic tool, including the key controls and commands needed, how to set up worlds, how to set up a Realm, and how to save and back-up worlds. There is an interactive final assessment where you get to demonstrate your new found skills.

  • Yes, absolutely. Minecraft can be used with children, young people, adults, couples, families and groups. The key is meeting clients in their comfort zone – so if they play Minecraft and are open to using it therapeutically then using Minecraft is possible. Note that it is your responsibility to ensure you are practicing within your competency, licensure and registration.

  • Yes, Minecraft can be used with individuals, dyads and groups including families. Note that it is your responsibility to ensure you are practicing within your competency, licensure and registration.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are practicing within your competency, licensure and registration. So, if you felt that Level 1 was sufficient for you to be practicing within your competency, licensure and registration then that would be fine. However, people find doing the Level 2 - as it is a live, small group, experiential training - supports them to feel confident in using Minecraft therapeutically. My full terms and conditions are available here: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/30255221

  • This training is created to enable you to integrate your own therapeutic approach in using Minecraft as a therapeutic tool. Therefore, it would be down to you to decide how long a session should be. However, I would recommend allowing yourself more time either side of a session for prep/saving worlds and you may also need to factor in some additional time or sessions for technical preparation with your clients.

  • This would depend on the usual requirements for parental consent that apply to your client group. In addition, you will also need to gain consent from the client and/or their parent (depending on their age/capacity) re. the use of the resource taking in to account how you manage their data, the location of servers etc. This is covered in the Level 1 course.

  • Your standard supervision requirements (to meet your licensure/registration body's guidelines) would apply here. But you may also need/chose to seek out specialist supervision with a supervisor/supervision group that works in this field. Ellie Finch provides clinical supervision. You can get in touch with her for further information.