Cards in the (virtual) sand
Bringing tactile card work into online therapy without the friction - for FREE.
I have found that the best way to create resources for others is to build what I want for my daily practice. Or perhaps I just like having the tools myself! Card work has always been one of my favourite ways to explore abstract feelings and half-formed thoughts and lay them out where we can both see them and play with ideas. Whether we’re exploring core values, untangling conflicting emotions, or mapping out life transitions - especially with young adults -having something physical to sort through makes deep reflection feel far less intimidating, and a little more playful.
When remote and hybrid working became standard, many of us missed that tactile element. Lists and static PDFs just didn’t give clients the same space to play, move, stack, or group their thoughts. I had a look for online values cards, and they do exist, but in quite a rigid format - often sorting into 3 specific piles.
To help bridge that gap, we’ve built a free online platform designed specifically for interactive card work - whether for your own personal reflections or to use interactively in client sessions.
EEE, it’s all very exciting!
Drumroll, please... Introducing the Branch cards sandbox!
It includes 3 sets of interchangeable cards: Values cards, Life cards and my original Emotions cards.
You can use one set as shown here, or layer them all:
The values cards have attached images, made in my clean, illustrated Branch style with a little help from AI, as I am not an illustrator.
Just like the printable ones, Life and Emotions cards are clean text-only cards, as there are a lot more of them. Smaller cards mean we can fit more in our sandbox, because you can layer all the sets:
It can be as simple or layered as you choose! You can also add any extra cards you might need, tailoring in real time to your client (or yourself).
How it works in practice:
It functions like a clear digital sandbox:
Direct your client to the URL during a remote session and ask them to share their screen. This keeps it simple and easy to use; no installations or logins needed.
Sort and stack: Clients can click, drag, group, stack, and label cards freely on their canvas.
Explore together: Because they are controlling the screen, the exercise remains client-led, giving them full autonomy over how they organise their internal world.
Nothing is saved or stored, so there are no GDPR concerns; once you leave the page the image is lost. If you want to save the work, then simply take a screenshot.
Note: this is not an assessment tool; it is a conversation tool, inviting exploration and play.
Right now, the platform features a complete Values Deck, Emotions Decks and broader Life Decks to build out a comprehensive, flexible, layered tool for online therapeutic work.
If you’re interested in using cards, then read more here. And for a helpful introduction for clients before a session, see the added note at the end.
Whether you’re a practitioner looking for a seamless way to bring creative tools into Zoom or Teams, or someone looking to do a bit of quiet self-exploration around your own values today, the platform is live and completely free to use. If you do find it useful and would like to support my work so I can continue to offer these tools, please consider a donation.
If you do use this tool, I would be incredibly grateful for feedback and ideas for development. Please share here or message me individually if you prefer.
It’s lovely to share a few exciting moments with you today.
Until next time,
💛🌿 Helen
About the Author: Helen Gifford is a counsellor, supervisor, and author of ‘A Practical Guide For Working Therapeutically with Teenagers and Young Adults’.
Support this work: 📕 Order the Book: A Practical Guide for Working Therapeutically with Teenagers and Young Adults ☕ Buy me a toasted teacake: Ko-fi 🌿 Work with me: Clinical Supervision and Training via www.branchcounselling.co.uk
Author Note & Transparency: All case studies or stories are fully fictitious to illustrate the experiences many professionals face; no confidentiality has been broken. I recommend resources based on a combination of clinical experience and consideration of available evidence. These are offered for interest only and are not endorsements of scientific efficacy or clinical recommendations. Please apply your own critical judgment.
Helpful heads-up for clients
A template for clients:
Subject: A quick note on our upcoming session: Using our online cards tool
Hi [Client Name],
In our next session, we’ll be using a simple, interactive card deck online to help explore [values/emotions/life choices / what’s on your mind].
How it works:
I’ll send you a link to a digital workspace with a set of cards. 👉
You’ll share your screen, and you’ll have complete control to move, stack, group, and label the cards however feels right to you.
There are no “right” or “wrong” ways to arrange them - it’s just a helpful, visual space for us to explore together.
A quick heads-up on tech:
If possible, please join our video session using a computer or tablet rather than a phone, as having a slightly larger screen makes moving the cards much easier!
You won’t need to create an account, download anything, or enter any personal information.
Let me know if you have any questions before we meet. Looking forward to catching up!
Best,
[Your Name]