Step Inside their World - through
play and creative exercises
Most young people can't sit down and "explain what's going on inside" - but they will play.
We offer a safe space for you to learn and practice creative ways to communicate and connect with youth — without making it feel like a lecture or a therapy session.​
WHAT WE OFFER
A playful canvas to unlock teen expression
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Discover how to navigate young people's emotional complexity by blending visual creativity with open discussion.
Micro learning modules &
optional deep dives
Digging Deep CONNECT
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Learn how to engage youth with playful peaceful communication skills
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Understand how to leverage creative tools, journaling prompts, gameplay
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Prepare to facilitate supportive, nonjudgmental individual & group discussion
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Recognize emotional signals, respond effectively to tough situations
WHO THIS IS FOR
Adults showing up for youth every day
- Parents and caregivers who want fewer shutdowns and more honest check-ins.Â
- Teachers, school staff, and after-school leaders who need a quick way to connect beyond grades and behavior.
​ - Counselors, therapists, and youth workers looking for a warm-up activity that opens kids up without pressure.​
BENEFITS
01
Turn tension into flow
02
Build a shared emotional language
Turn tense or awkward conversations into low-pressure, game-based moments you can share.
Build a shared emotional language that works at home, in classrooms, and in youth programs.
03
Spot stress sooner
04
Never be stuck on what to say
Spot early signs of stress, anxiety, or withdrawal through gameplay, not just words or behavior.
Use ready-made prompts, debrief questions, and scripts so you're never stuck on ‘what do I say now?’
05
Start fast; no professional training needed
Start in minutes—no specialized professional training required as prerequisite, learn through practical activities in short sessions.
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
Feedback from Partners
The Digging Deep Project: "Nurturing Creativity, Inspiring Wellbeing"
USA · 2018-2020
"Participants showed measurable gains in identity exploration, positive affect, and benefit-finding. The creative format gave young cancer survivors a language they didn't have before."
Randomized clinical trial · 177 adolescent & young adult cancer survivors
COLOMBIA · 2021–2024
"Our youth in Soacha and Pereira co-created Spanish content for peers facing adversity and violence trauma. The platform gave them a voice — and a way to help others."
1,000+ young people · school and community workshops
NETHERLANDS · 2017
"Across all seven resilience factors, we tracked positive trends, with significant gains in optimism, emotional regulation, and positive self-identity in young people living with illness."
55 players, ages 13–22 ·
4-week diary & interview study
POLAND · 2026
"We introduced this concept to 300 psychologists and medical students, with 70 going deep in 10-person cohorts — to work with Polish youth and Ukrainian refugees."
70 psychologists and psychiatrists trained in workshops
SWITZERLAND · 2021–2022
"After 30 days of play, we saw improved resilience, wellbeing, and self-efficacy — and reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms. It worked because young people wanted to keep coming back."
Study with 75 young people · 10+ min/day for 30 days
TÜRKIYE · 2025–PRESENT
"We trained 10 psychologists to support 500+ earthquake-survivor youth in two programs. Hatay Municipality has adopted these workshops for community use."
500+ youth and 10 psychologists trained · school workshops
FOR YOUTH
Surfacing what matters to youth in a language they naturally understand and enjoy, while translating moments into practical language and questions you can use in real life.
Shadow's Edge App
A story-driven interactive experience set in a city decimated by storm. Through metaphor of a fractured city, users restore the city, and themselves in the process as they move through stages of Disruption, Disillusionment and Discovery. Shadow’s Edge is available free of cost in multiple languages.
Self-Expression Workbooks
Our themed workbook series helps young people navigate difficult moments, whether trauma, recovery, identity, purpose or moving forward from setbacks. These workbooks provide simple-to-use exercises that teach critical life skills for emotional well-being. These guides can be completed by youth alone or with a trusted adult.
In 1:1 sessions
FOUNDER & TEAM
Roots in lived experience
Built on compassion and genuine understanding: Founded by Sheri Sobrato, who faced life threatening health challenges as a young woman. This authenticity combined with youth voice shines through in every tool we create. Team of mental health experts, technologists, educators, and youth advisors.
Sheri Sobrato
Sheri is the co-author of Digging Deep: A Journal for Young People Facing Health Challenges. She founded The Digging Deep Project. Sheri is deeply passionate about advancing youth emotional wellness through impactful solutions.
Kevyn Eva Norton
Kevyn Eva is the co-producer of the Shadow's Edge game. She is passinote about the intersection of digital health and gaming. She focuses on impact-driven initiatives and teaches product strategy and design internationally.
Nancy Imado
Nancy overseas Digging Deep and Shadow's Edge community engagement, administrative workflows, and partner communications.
Kristi Pikiewicz
Kristi is the author of the Digging Deep workbooks. She advises all activities of the Digging Deep Project as a psychotherapist who offers individual, couples and family therapy to adults, adolescents and children, and psychological testing and assessments.
Garth Sundem
Garth has been instrumental in the publication of numerous Digging Deep Project content, including managing blog posts. He is a professional writer and communicator with over a million words in print.Â
