Avatar therapy: where technology, symbols, culture, and connection collide

The topic of "e-therapy" is of great research and clinical interest in 2012. This article presents a case study that examines several elements of psychotherapy, as administered in the "Second Life" virtual environment. In this case, psychotherapy took place primarily via text messaging between two avatars (client and therapist) who "sat" in a virtual office. The therapist resided in the United States and provided therapy to an individual from a developing nation who was currently residing in another more developed Middle Eastern country for work and to escape political atrocities being committed in his home country. This case example raises many issues that could be explored, including the ethics of providing such therapy, cultural competence, technological details, and providing therapy across national lines. However, due to the complicated and multifaceted nature of providing therapy in a virtual environment, this case presentation focuses on technical issues, such as the basics of providing therapy in Second Life. Given that the patient in this case used multiple avatars (cartoon-like representations of himself) in therapy, the topic of the avatar as the expression of internal representations and conflicts is also examined. This case report also discusses the patient's presenting problems and elements of the therapeutic alliance such as transference and countertransference. Finally, suggestions for future research are made. The author posits that mental health professionals can now reach at-risk patients (e.g., refugees residing in other countries) whom they were not previously able to treat and suggests that mental health practitioners may have an ethical duty to research and provide these kinds of services so that certain underserved populations may be treated. (Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2012;18:451-459).