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AVATAR2

AVATAR therapy offers a new approach to working with distressing voices (auditory hallucinations). It involves innovative use of digital technology to allow ‘face-to-face’ dialogue between the voice-hearer and a computerised representation of their voice (the avatar), with a therapeutic focus on increasing power and control over the voice.

The digital technology allows us to bring the person’s experience of hearing the voice into therapy in a new and potentially powerful way.

Building on pioneering work by Professor Julian Leff, we have developed the AVATAR therapy approach. In a recent trial, we found that it reduced the distress experienced by people who hear voices when compared to supportive counselling. We are now taking this forward in the AVATAR2 trial.

 

AVATAR2 – Information Video

For the most up to date information about AVATAR2 please go to our trial website – www.avatartherapytrial.com.

Members

Clementine Edwards

Clementine Edwards

AVATAR2 Trial Coordinator / Research Clinical Psychologist

Richard Emsley

Richard Emsley

NIHR Research Professor

Philippa Garety

Philippa Garety

Professor of Clinical Psychology

Amy Hardy

Amy Hardy

Clinical Psychologist Lecturer

Hassan Jafari

Hassan Jafari

Statistician

Thomas Jamieson-Craig

Thomas Jamieson-Craig

Emeritus Professor of Social Psychiatry

Emmanuelle Peters

Emmanuelle Peters

Professor of Clinical Psychology & PICuP Director

Thomas Ward

Thomas Ward

AVATAR2 Therapy Coordinator / Research Clinical Psychologist

Avatars-Pilot-Study

Previous Projects - Pilot Study

A small pilot study of AVATAR therapy with 26 participants was conducted, funded by the National Institute for Health Research.The results were promising; participants reported a significant reduction in the frequency, distress, omnipotence and malevolence of their voice. Larger studies were needed to test AVATAR therapy.

AVATAR1 Project image on desktop screen

Previous Projects - AVATAR1

A larger, randomised controlled trial of AVATAR therapy funded by the Wellcome Trust was conducted by researchers at King’s College London in the South London and Maudsley NHS trust. 150 participants were assigned to receive 7 weeks of AVATAR therapy or supportive counselling. Results showed that AVATAR therapy was more effective 12 weeks after therapy (but not at 24 weeks' follow up) in reducing the severity of participants’ voices compared to supportive counselling.

Other project

Protocol Paper: Garety, P., Edwards, C.J., Ward, T. et al. Optimising AVATAR therapy for people who hear distressing voices: study protocol for the AVATAR2 multi-centre randomised controlled trial. Trials 22, 366 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05301-w. https://rdcu.be/cl8LI

 

AVATAR1: AVATAR therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations in people with psychosis: a single-blind, randomised controlled trial

Prof Tom KJ Craig, PhD, Mar Rus-Calafell, PhD, Thomas Ward, DClinPsy, Prof Julian P Leff, FRCPsych, Prof Mark Huckvale, PhD, Elizabeth Howarth, PhD, Prof Richard Emsley, PhD, Prof Philippa A Garety, PhD

Open Access Published:November 23, 2017 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30427-3

Pilot Study: Leff, J., Williams, G., Huckvale, M., Arbuthnot, M., & Leff, A. (2013). Computer-assisted therapy for medication-resistant auditory hallucinations: Proof-of-concept study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(6), 428-433. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.124883

Group lead

Philippa Garety - photo

Philippa Garety

Professor of Clinical Psychology

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