Relating behaviours and therapeutic actions during AVATAR therapy dialogue: An observational study

CONCLUSIONS: AVATAR therapy supports voice-hearers in becoming more assertive towards a digital representation of their abusive voice. Direct dialogue with carefully characterized avatars aims to build the voice-hearers' positive sense of self, supporting the person to make sense of their experiences.PRACTITIONER POINTS: AVATAR therapy enables voice-hearers to engage in face-to-face dialogue with a digital representation ('avatar') of their persecutory voice. Fine-grained analyses showed how relating behaviours and therapeutic actions evolve during active AVATAR therapy dialogue. Carefully characterized avatars and direct therapist input help voice-hearers become more assertive over the avatar, enhance positive sense of self, and support individuals to make sense of their experiences.PMID:33949726 | DOI:10.1111/bjc.12296

Source: The British Journal of Clinical Psychology - May 5, 2021 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Conan O'Brien Mar Rus-Calafell Tom Kj Craig Philippa Garety Thomas Ward Rachel Lister Miriam Fornells-Ambrojo Source Type: research