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Using Virtual Reality Social Environments to Promote Outcomes' Generalization of AVATAR Therapy for Distressing
Mar Rus-Calafell1,2,3, Nils Ehrbar1, Tobias Teismann1,2
1Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|March 18, 2025
Summary
AVATAR therapy (AT) using virtual reality (VR) helps individuals confront distressing voices. This case study shows VR enhanced AT improved confidence and reduced distress in social situations.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Auditory hallucinations, often persecutory, cause significant distress.
- AVATAR therapy (AT) facilitates dialog with a digital representation of distressing voices.
- Generalizing therapeutic gains to social contexts remains a challenge.
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