But not all therapists are convinced that virtual environments are any more beneficial than the traditional tools of the trade, noting that they have long employed similar techniques of playing back audio- and video-tapes of therapy sessions. Psychotherapist Robert Gaines, co-founder of the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training Program at the William Alanson White Institute in New York City, says he's impressed with Joe's quick progress and praises SECTER for enabling therapists to "meet kids" in virtual worlds similar to those in which they've grown up.
Still, he adds it's the therapists—and not necessarily the technology they use—that matter most. "Techniques don't do therapy. People do therapy, therapists do therapy. There is no magic, universally effective technique," he says. "Whether cognitive, behavioral, psychoanalytic or virtual, they're just adjuncts to the main thing, which is the therapist using the relationship in communication with the child." Gaines cautions that indiscriminate role-playing in virtual worlds could have negative consequences. "Some kids' hold on reality is tenuous," he says, "and if you loosen it with play, they can become disorganized, threatened, and their behavior can deteriorate."
Yet John Suler, a psychology professor at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., and author of the online book The Psychology of Cyberspace, says virtual therapy is here to stay. Moreover, "it will get more sophisticated and complex," he says. "Computers allow ways to take apart or recombine various ways of communicating—speaking, text, auditory, realistically based or imaginatively contrived." These can be combined in unique ways, he says, depending on the person's problems, situation and personality. Therapist and patient can be in different parts of the real world and work remotely. Because of that power and versatility, Suler says, virtual worlds are moving us into another range of psychotherapeutic activities.
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10 Comments
Add CommentDoes anyone know if they are using VOIP to communicate?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe article mentions headphones, but perhaps they text too.
It never occurred to me before, but now that I read this article, it seems so obvious: use a virtual reality game to get through to troubled teens. This is THEIR world. It's their medium and operates on their plane. What better way to build empathy?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe other huge benefit of the video game is that it's available anywhere, anytime. Helping someone in emotional distress doesn't just happen at the appointed hour. These kids need help the moment the get triggered in the back seat of the car on the way to school or at 11:30 at night. If the therapist can offer assistance when the client needs it most, that's key.
Of course, virtual reality is no substitute for the real thing. But as a way to connect with these kids, it has potential to serve a huge purpose.
I'd like to know more about the SECTER program and am interested to see their ideas really latch on.
We are on the frontier of a new era in medicine. As a layman it appears to me that biofeedback techniques are on the cusp of taking a quantum leap forward in being able to modify behavior. Overcoming phobias of all sorts is just one application. Physical therapy is another. It will be fascinating to see all the different areas that Virtual Reality can be applied to in the coming years as the technology develops and clinical practices incorporate these new techniques. Don DuBois
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGreenleaf's SECTER is a customized version of Forterra's OLIVE virtual world software. It uses VOIP and text chat.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee
http://www.forterrainc.com/index.php/industries/healthcare
Well, at least they're not pushing pills.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVirtual reality will help third world people to escape from the cruel world they live in. They could adopt any avatars they like and communicate in the virtual world in a way that would be impossible otherwise. Just imagine a simulation which would teach them development skills. Already with Google Earth we can do virtual tourism on Mars...All the third world needs is for OLPC interfaces to be efficient. Imagination is the future...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this'quick progress'? Can progress be defined in the same way as if by normal techniques?I think not. Clearer definition is needed so as not to mislead..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this'quick progress'? Can progress be defined in the same way as if by normal techniques?I think not. Clearer definition is needed so as not to mislead..
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisKudos to CFG for their innovations and attempts to bringmental health into the 21st century.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere was an interesting article in the Journal of Medical Internet Research recently looking at different healthcare related applications for virtual worlds (specifically Second Life) - http://tr.im/oMci
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs a physician I think 3D virtual worlds seem be the natural extension of existing "remote" communications methods and certainly have the potential to significantly augment these methods in helping consumers better manage their health. I have recently strated a project called HealthyWorlds to explore the use of VWs in delivering health related services. If anyone would like to know more or to get involved please do not hesitate to contact me or visit www.healthyworlds.com / twitter.com/healthyworlds