AVATAR Therapy for Distressing Voices: A Comprehensive Account of Therapeutic Targets
Thomas Ward, Mar Rus‐Calafell, Zeyana Ramadhan, Olga Soumelidou, Miriam Fornells‐Ambrojo, Philippa Garety, Tom Craig
Abstract
AVATAR therapy represents an effective new way of working with distressing voices based on face-to-face dialogue between the person and a digital representation (avatar) of their persecutory voice. To date, there has been no complete account of AVATAR therapy delivery. This article presents, for the first time, the full range of therapeutic targets along with information on acceptability and potential side effects. Interest in the approach is growing rapidly and this report acts as a necessary touchstone for future development.
Topics & Concepts
DistressingAvatarPsychotherapistPsychologyPsychological therapyMedicineComputer scienceHuman–computer interactionPsychiatryArtAnxietyVisual artsTraumatic Brain Injury ResearchPsychosomatic Disorders and Their TreatmentsNeonatal and fetal brain pathology