Reimagining Sandtray Therapy: Tour the Minecraft Sandtray World

Discover a new way to connect, play and reflect with children, young people, adults and families using Minecraft.

Join Ellie Finch (PlayMode Academy) and Dan Noble (Outsidetheblocks) for a free online event introducing the updated Sandtray Therapy Minecraft World – a unique digital resource co-created for therapeutic and support work.

This live 1-hour session will include:

• A guided tour of the updated world
• Ideas for using the world therapeutically
• Time for Q&A and discussion

Over 230 professionals accessed the beta version. Now, we’re launching the fully updated world – and we can’t wait to show you what’s new.

Why We Built the World

Since Ellie Finch first began using Minecraft as a therapeutic tool, she has been aware of just how vast its worlds can be (some up to eight times the size of Earth!) and the importance of creating safe, clearly defined spaces for clients during their sessions. She achieved this by using island worlds or building walled areas in flat worlds where clients could create and explore. This approach closely mirrors the concept of using Minecraft as a digital sandtray.

Ellie wanted to develop this idea further by designing a Minecraft world that combines the digital sandtray experience with the familiar elements of the game. Dan Noble from Outsidetheblocks helped bring this vision to life, and together they created the Sandtray Therapy World in Minecraft – a space that feels like a traditional therapy room, purpose-built for therapeutic play, exploration and storytelling.

What’s New in the Updated World?

This updated version—shaped by feedback and ideas from beta testers—is full of creative new tools and symbolic potential, including:

• Figures with speech and thought bubbles
• A couch that two people can sit on
• Dragons
• A plane you can fly around the therapy room

And lots more!

And of course, it includes the features beta testers loved:

• A large sandtray with shelves for figure and item selection
• Custom mobs in three sizes that stay put when placed
• A safe, defined space modelled on the idea of a therapy room
• A robot guide to help navigate
• Tools to change the tray’s fill (sand, snow, grass, or empty)

No Minecraft access? No problem – We will be screensharing everything so you can explore alongside the group.

Who is it for?

Therapists, counsellors, educators, youth workers, social workers, supervisors, mental health professionals, support workers – and anyone interested in playful, accessible and creative ways to engage.

Explore Training in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool

PlayMode Academy offers a comprehensive training pathway for professionals interested in using Minecraft as a therapeutic tool:

Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: Level 1 - Self-Paced Online Course

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. Completion of Level 1 is a prerequisite for Level 2.

Find out more here: https://playmodeacademy.org/training/using-minecraft-as-a-therapeutic-tool-level-1

Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool: Level 2 - Live Online or In-Person Training

This course is for practitioners who want to build on the foundations of Level 1 and deepen their confidence and creativity when using Minecraft therapeutically. You’ll join a small group of practitioners for a full-day or two half-day live training sessions. Completion of Level 1 is required before attending Level 2. Commission options are available for teams or services.

Find out more here: https://playmodeacademy.org/training/using-minecraft-as-a-therapeutic-tool-level-2

Access and Tech Info

You don’t need access to Minecraft to attend. We’ll be screensharing and walking you through what the world offers and how to get started.

However, you can register for free access to Beta version of the world here: https://playmodeacademy.org/visit-our-sandtray-world (the updated version will be released just after this event).

The Sandtray Therapy World is available for the following editions:

• Minecraft Bedrock Edition, or
• Minecraft Education Edition (PlayMode Academy have a free guide to accessing Minecraft Education available here: https://playmodeacademy.org/training/free-guide-to-accessing-minecraft-education )

Please note: the world is not available for Minecraft Java Edition.

Learn more at playmodeacademy.org

Disclaimer

As a practitioner, you are responsible for ensuring that you are practicing within your competency and that you are complying with the relevant professional standards. You are also responsible for ensuring the resources you use are suitable for the clients you work with and the context in which you work.