Avatar-based counselling for psychological distress in secondary school pupils: pilot evaluation

Abstract

This study is a pilot evaluation of a new avatar-based therapeutic tool, ProReal, with psychologically distressed young people within a school setting. In total, 54 young people, aged 12-18 years old, participated in face-to-face avatar-based counselling. Young people used the software to represent themselves and others, their problems and emotions. The primary outcome measure was the Young Person's CORE (YP-CORE). The avatar-based counselling intervention was feasible to implement and acceptable to clients, with 90% rating the help that they received as good, and less than 20% dropout. The intervention was associated with small to medium reductions in psychological distress, psychological difficulties and conduct problems. These improvements, however, were significant for male clients only. Outcomes were greater for counsellors who spent more time in training and using the ProReal software.

Innovations in Practice: Avatar‐based virtual reality in CAMHS talking therapy: two exploratory case studies

“…Feedback suggested that the externalization of internal thoughts, feelings and experiences helped the young people express how they were feeling. Although we are limited in reporting findings from two cases, their experiences align with those from previous research into avatar‐based counselling (Cooper et al., ; Rehm et al., ; van Rijn et al., , ). A key theme from this research centred around the software allowing young people to express themselves outside of ‘just using words all the time’ (van Rijn et al., ).…”

“…Furthermore, the therapy was carried out by one highly experienced clinical psychologist and our results may not reflect the skills of other therapists. Previous research has also shown that reductions in psychological distress tend to be associated with more time spent training with ProReal (Cooper et al., ). Our results may therefore also reflect PS's specific ProReal training.…”

“…We therefore cannot ascertain the longevity of treatment effects and cannot generalize the two cases to other CAMHS patients. Both cases were adolescent males and young females may have different views; qualitative evaluation of ProReal in a school counselling setting found that compared to females, males reported the software to be more helpful in facilitating the therapeutic relationship (Cooper et al., ; van Rijn et al., ). Furthermore, the therapy was carried out by one highly experienced clinical psychologist and our results may not reflect the skills of other therapists.…”

“…One avatar‐based programme, ProReal, has been tested in group and one‐to‐one settings, including with adults in a forensic setting (van Rijn, Cooper, Jackson, & Wild, ), with adults diagnosed with borderline personality disorder within an outpatient service (Falconer et al., ), and with secondary school children in school‐based counselling (Cooper, Van Rijn, & Chryssafidou, ; van Rijn et al., ). Clients reported that ProReal helped them to communicate their experience to others (e.g.…”

Digital images as meaning bridges: Case study of assimilation using avatar software in counselling with a 14‐year‐old boy

“…To investigate the use of images in therapy, we drew one case from an evaluation study (Cooper, Van Rijn, & Chryssafidou, ; van Rijn, Cooper, & Chryssafidou, ) of a proprietary video game‐like tool developed for therapy and coaching, which we call avatar software. The software allows clients to create digital visual representations of their inner worlds, and life situations, including avatars (virtual people) representing themselves and others.…”