Minecraft in the playroom

Minecraft, one of the world’s most popular computer games, can act as an incredibly versatile platform through which children and young people can explore, design, build, modify and control their own worlds.

Engaging through Minecraft in a therapeutic way offers clients a safe boundaried space, on a physical and an emotional level, where they can be the expert in their world, an experience which might be contrary to their lived experience.

Acting as a virtual sand tray, a central part of any Play Therapist's toolkit, in Minecraft the client sets the pace and can access an inventory or mine objects to create scenes that might symbolise their thoughts, feelings, social interactions or people in their life. I have found that this process can help a client to work through and integrate their lived reality, including any difficult experiences and challenges.

You can read more in the Play for Life Journal issued by Play Therapy UK about how virtual worlds can empower children, whilst also protecting their mental health and wellbeing.