Christmas Newsletter!
What a busy year it’s been – and I’m so grateful to everyone I’ve worked with on exciting projects throughout 2024. Here are some highlights:
Bridging the ChASM with the University of Cambridge
I’ve been part of the Bridging the ChASM team at the University of Cambridge alongside Monique Beckett, Dr Fiona Peacock and Dr Ros McLellan. The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Monique and I made two films exploring the therapeutic use of Minecraft. We worked with some amazing actors to film five roleplayed counselling sessions which can be watched here.
Top left and top right images above are stills from Bridging the ChASM films. Copyright © 2024, University of Cambridge, Monique Beckett, and Ellie Finch. All rights reserved. These scenes are portrayed by actors.
Launch of Sandtray Therapy Minecraft World
With Dan Noble from Outsidetheblocks, I co-created the Sandtray Therapy Minecraft World which we launched in September for beta testing. You can access the world for free by registering here. Exciting updates coming next year!
New Course on Digital Sandtrays
I launched an online self-study course: Using Digital Sandtrays in Online and In-person Therapy. It features four roleplayed counselling sessions – big thanks to my colleague Rike and the brilliant actors.
Podcasts and Publications
I got the opportunity to chat with Rory Lees Oakes about using digital tools in therapy on the Counselling Tutor Podcast not once, but twice! The first time was alongside my wonderful colleague, Lesley Simpson Gray. You can listen to those podcasts here and here.
My supervisor Mark Rivett and I presented our research poster at the UKCP conference in November (details), and my article, Game Changer, was published in the UKCP’s New Psychotherapist (read here).
Training Highlights
I’ve trained some fantastic teams in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool this year, including Children Heard and Seen, Listening Ear, and Primrose Hospice. Primrose Hospice shared their experiences in this lovely article. KEMP Hospice has done incredible work utilising Minecraft after completing my training and were invited to write about it for the Minecraft Education website (read here). They also won best conference poster at the Hospice UK conference!
I’ve received so many lovely reviews from practitioners who have completed the Level 1 and Level 2 trainings in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool. I can’t wait to train more practitioners and organisations in the New Year. You can find out more about my training programme here.
Looking Ahead
The next Level 2 training in Using Minecraft as a Therapeutic Tool is taking place in January and there’s still time to grab one of the last two spaces. Early bird price ends 20th Dec. Sign up here.
I’m thrilled to be speaking alongside Robert Grant, Fiona Zandt and Carol Duffy at the It's a Beautiful Day in the Playborhood: 4th World Edition. The webinar will be moderated by Liana Lowenstein. You can register to watch for FREE on January 14, 2025, 10:30 AM -3 PM EST (New York time) or get lots of perks (including 4 CE credits) when you purchase premium access. Sign-up now (affiliate link): http://corewellceu.com/play4/?shop=1296
Research Project
Have you been using videogames in therapy for at least six months? There's a researcher at the University of Roehampton that would be interested in hearing from you. Contact Elizabeth Leavey for further info: leaveye@roehampton.ac.uk.
Clinical Supervision
I have some availability to provide clinical supervision from Feb 2025. Please do get in touch if you are seeking a supervisor
If you’d like to learn more about my trainings for yourself or your team, explore collaborations, or just say hello, drop me an email at ellie@elliefinch.co.uk.
Right, I’m off to find myself a Minecraft-themed Christmas jumper because I'm jealous of the one my Minecraft avatar has...
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Warm wishes,
Ellie
P.S. If you'd like to subscribe to my mailing list and get the occasional update from me, you can sign up here (and receive 10% discount code off selected trainings and two FREE GIFTS)
Image source: Minecraft
