Avatar Therapy in Treating Auditory Hallucination

Jun 6, 2023

3 min read

Updated: Nov 3

Archived conference abstract — the research and affiliations below reflect the original event submission. Claims are attributed to the authors; this is not a peer-reviewed journal article or current clinical guidance.

Title Talk: Avatar Therapy in Treating Auditory Hallucination

Author: Dr. Sampoornam W. MSc(N)., PhD(N)., MSc(C&P)., MSc(Psy)., TNAI, SEFM, GRN, OWCN,

ATHNA, IFNA,TCPA, IAAPC, ESRAD, CCI, ISIRT, CNG, IT, GLA, SFNP, ISDS

Professor, Annai JKK Sampoorani Ammal College of Nursing Komarapalayam, Namakkal

India

OCM, OLCIAS

E-mail : sampoornamwebster@yahoo.in

Volume: Brain 2023_CN37_AA01

International Live Conference on Brain: Latest Discoveries and Inventions

Date: June 16, 2023

Time: 8 PM Indian Standard Time

Location: Online Conference

Theme: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain: Advancements, Innovations, and Impact

Abstract:

AVATAR therapy was invented and first described by J. Leff and colleagues1. The therapy involves a three-way conversation between therapist, patient and a digital simulation (“avatar”) of one of his/her hallucinated voices.

Avatar therapy offers a new approach to working with distressing voices called as auditory hallucinations. It involves innovative use of digital technology to allow ‘face-to-face’ dialogue between the voice-hearer and a computerized representation of their voice (the avatar), with a therapeutic focus on increasing power and control over the voice. The digital technology allows us to bring the person’s experience of hearing the voice into therapy in a new and potentially powerful way.

Overview :

Avatar Therapy is a therapist-assisted, computer-based intervention in which therapists facilitate a conversation between patients who are experiencing persistent persecutory auditory hallucinations (i.e. hearing voices) and a visual representation of one of the persecutory voices (i.e. the avatar).

Avatar Therapy is delivered over 6 weekly sessions, lasting about 30 minutes each. Patients use a computer program to construct a visual representation of the dominant persecutory voice and select a voice for the avatar. During therapy sessions, patients see the animated avatar on a computer screen and are asked to begin a conversation in which they stand up to the avatar. Therapists sit in another room and provide support in their normal voice and act as the avatar using a computer-transformed voice. Patients can press a red “stress button” if they become too anxious during the session, which replaces the avatar on the computer screen with a relaxing scene and music. Therapy involves a three-way conversation between the patient, therapist and avatar, with the therapist speaking as themselves and also voicing the avatar.

Each session is recorded and patients receive a recording of the session on an MP3 player at the end of the session. Avatar Therapy has also been adapted to use virtual reality technology. Individuals with anorexia can create personalised digital avatars representing the eating disorder voice and are willing to engage therapeutically with the avatar.

Advantages The technology is relatively inexpensive and enough is known to provide training.

The Avatar therapy has been hailed by many as ground-breaking, a fantastic break-through, an alternative to drug treatment where the drugs aren’t working.