Featured in The Guardian: ‘The way a child plays is the way they live’: how therapists are using video games to help vulnerable children

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Written By Ellie Finch

I’m so grateful to Keith Stuart for writing this thoughtful piece for The Guardian on the therapeutic use of video games like Minecraft: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jul/14/the-way-a-child-plays-is-the-way-they-live-how-therapists-are-using-video-games-to-help-vulnerable-children

Keith (author of the amazing book 'A Boy Made of Blocks', about a father connecting with his autistic son through Minecraft) brought such care and depth to the conversations, and I’m honoured that he included my work alongside that of so many brilliant colleagues: Oleksii Sukhorukov, Anna Shulha, Luke Blackwood, Mike Langlois, Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S, Catherine Knibbs FRSA, and Rob Rice.

This article has landed at a meaningful moment – this week marks the launch of PlayMode Academy, a non-profit social venture I’ve founded to support professionals in using creative digital tools like Minecraft and digital sandtrays therapeutically, with confidence, care and curiosity.

For the past few years, many people have found my trainings through my counselling website (EllieFinch.co.uk) But as this work has grown – and its impact widened – it needed a dedicated home.

That home is now PlayModeAcademy.org. Take a look at our impact page for a case study on Oleksii Sukhorukov and his work with HealGame Ukraine, who also feature in Keith’s article: https://playmodeacademy.org/impact

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.

Her work is rooted in a neurodiversity-affirming approach, which values neurodivergence as a natural variation in human experience and focuses on building supportive, respectful environments rather than 'fixing' difference.

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 (a structure often used by social ventures in the UK).

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
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