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Innovations in Practice: Avatar‐based virtual reality in CAMHS talking therapy: two exploratory case studies
Author(s) -
Falconer Caroline J.,
Davies E. Bethan,
Grist Rebecca,
Stallard Paul
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/camh.12326
Subject(s) - avatar , feeling , virtual reality , metaverse , exploratory research , qualitative research , psychology , therapeutic relationship , digital health , mental health , face (sociological concept) , psychotherapist , medicine , medical education , computer science , health care , human–computer interaction , social psychology , sociology , anthropology , economics , economic growth , social science
Background Avatar‐based virtual reality therapy is an emerging digital technology that can be used to assist the treatment of common mental health problems. This may be particularly appealing to young people who are highly familiar with digital technologies and may provide a medium to facilitate communication within face‐to‐face therapy. Method We present two case summaries of young people who used ProReal, who had difficulties engaging in talking therapies. ProReal is a software package providing avatar‐based virtual reality therapy, used as part of talking psychological therapies provided within a CAMHS outpatient clinic. Young people completed pre and postuse routine outcome measures and took part in qualitative interviews assessing their experience of ProReal. Results Outcome measures showed a reduction over time. The two young people felt ProReal was highly accessible, with both young people positively describing how ProReal helped them externalize their inner worlds to help them to reappraise their thoughts, feelings and experiences. They also reported ProReal being a helpful tool to facilitate communication with the clinician. Conclusion These case summaries demonstrate how ProReal can be readily integrated into clinical practice and how it can facilitate communication and therapy with young people who find it difficult to express themselves.