Avatars, Virtual Worlds And Cyber Therapy

Introduction
One billion people are estimated to have a presence in virtual worlds by 2018 which means  increasingly therapists are entering worlds such as Second Life to gain insight and understanding about the issues that clients are faced with in their virtual lives and may bring to therapy. Additionally, some therapists, like myself use the virtual environment as a tool to aid therapeutic work.  The possibilities are endless, I have outlined below some ways in which virtual worlds can be used therapeutically.

Online virtual worlds offer people opportunity to live in communities, form new relationships and live a new kind of life through an avatar which they construct to their own specification.

Changing Behavior Through Use Of Simulation
Interaction in a virtual world can evoke the same emotions as those experienced in the real world, consequently, for more than a decade a small number of therapists have used virtual environments to help people work through phobias such as fear of heights or public spaces, or to overcome social anxieties such as fear of public speaking. With advances in computer and software technology most of us are now able to inhabit a virtual world and interact as an avatar with other avatars or virtual humans.

In 'cyber therapy' we are able to simulate threatening situations, controlling the intensity of the experience, gradually increasing exposure and working with the clients responses. Research shows this enables the client to internalize the experience emotionally and as a consequence bring about behavioral changes in their real life. Cyber therapy such as this can break the associations held by the client, between the upsetting event, and their usual anxious responses.

Overcome Social Anxiety
In virtual worlds there are other avatars which provide great opportunity to work with social issues; such as practicing interaction with a virtual boss or engaging conversation with strangers at a party or other social function. There are infinite versions of reality that can be simulated in a virtual world, that in traditional face to face therapy, have to be imagined rather than experienced. The great thing about cyber therapy is, it allows you to practice without consequence and in the knowledge that, the worst cannot happen in a virtual environment. Studies also suggest that people with social anxiety feel more able to disclose about their fears, flaws and fantasies  to an avatar therapist,  than they do in an actual face to face therapeutic setting with a 'real' therapist. Knowing however, that behind the avatar therapist is a qualified experienced and 'real life' therapist ensures therapeutic work is done within a recognized ethical framework for good practice.

My Second Life Virtual Counselling Practice
I have been a resident of the virtual world Second Life since 2008, and from there I run my virtual counselling practice (also called Inner Clarity), and network with other professional therapists who work in this fast emerging field of cyber therapy.
My virtual counselling space is a relaxing, professional and creative centre located on an interesting sim. There is no need to worry if you put muddy feet on my carpets, they remain clean. The flowers in the garden never die and don't even need watering, and we can if we wish, have sunshine and blue sky every minute of the day.  Such is virtual life!

Explore Second Life
If you would like to know more about Second Life please see below. Second Life is free to download and to create an account. When creating your account you create the name for your avatar which stays with you so choose carefully!
Once you have done so you can get started on creating the appearance of your unique avatar and begin to explore a world which has been created by the estimated 230,000 residents who live, work and play there.

'Inworld Therapy'
If you would like meet 'in world' and discuss therapy or know more about how it works, create an account as detailed above and then send me an Email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will respond with instructions about how we meet 'in world'. You may wish to familiarize yourself with the virtual world and controls before engaging in 'inworld' therapy and if needed I can point you towards sources of help with those issues.  Once our avatars meet at the virtual Inner Clarity Centre, we have the option 'inworld' to communicate using typed messages, or/and  we can communicate by speaking with our own actual voices.

Real Therapy In A Virtual World
Meeting in a virtual world may have an unreal or game element or feel to it, however it is important to understand the relationship between us, and between our avatars, is a professional one, established within an ethical framework of good practice for counselling and psychotherapy.
My avatar is in Second Life only to engage in therapeutic work, I will not be able to engage in any other  activities.

Please Note
This form of therapy is not suitable if you are in acute distress, it is not an emergency service 'in world' or otherwise.  If you need immediate assistance please call your local emergency services or see useful links for other sources of help. I am unable to offer online/inworld counselling to anyone under the age of 18.

Further Reading
Bailenson. J & Blascovich. J. (2011) Infinite Reality. New York. HarperCollins
Bell.L. & Trueman. R. (2008) Virtual Worlds, Real Libraries: Librarians and Educators in Second Life and Other Multi-User Virtual Environments.Information Today,Inc.
Boellstorff. T.(2008) Coming of Age in Second Life: An Anthropologist Explores the Virtually Human.Oxfordshire. Princeton University Press.