What role can avatars play in e-mental health interventions? Exploring new models of client-therapist interaction.

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Michael Kyrios¹  Neil Thomas²  Imogen C Rehm³  Klaire Wallace³  Emily Foenander³  Jo-Anne M Abbott³ 

[1] Australian National University;Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre;Swinburne University of Technology;

关键词: virtual reality;    Computer Mediated Communication;    Avatars;    virtual environments;    e-mental health;    Human Computer Interaction (HCI);   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00186

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In the burgeoning field of e-mental health interventions, avatars are increasingly being utilized to facilitate online communication between clients and therapists, and amongst peers. Avatars are digital self-representations which enable individuals to interact with each other in computer-based virtual environments. In this narrative review, we examine the psychotherapeutic applications of avatars that have been investigated and trialed to date. Five key applications were identified: (1) in the formation of online peer support communities; (2) replicating traditional modes of psychotherapy by using avatars as a vehicle to communicate within a wholly virtual environment; (3) using avatar technology to facilitate or augment face-to-face treatment; (4) as part of serious games, and (5) communication with an autonomous virtual therapist. Across these applications, avatars appeared to serve several functions conducive to treatment engagement: (1) facilitating the development of a virtual therapeutic alliance; (2) reducing communication barriers; (3) promoting treatment-seeking through anonymity; (4) promoting expression and exploration of client identity, and (5) enabling therapists to control and manipulate treatment stimuli. Further research into the feasibility and ethical implementation of avatar-based psychotherapies is required.

【 授权许可】

Unknown