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UPLOADING TIMELINE.JPG

SPACE: A DESIGN FRONTIER

The future of therapeutic interventions in healthcare could take place inside an immersive, interactive virtual environment (IIVE). The participant uploads their 'narrative' life-story to the system, placing events in a linear, chronological sequence with potential to transform struggle into survival. The setting can involve a facilitator, or an individual might attend independently. This study presents the IIVE in the context of mental healthcare and introduces The Timeline as a proposed therapeutic intervention pathway towards a re-claiming of shifting identities in a digital era. 

Bruce, T.A. (2021) Space: A Design Frontier

ORIGIN OF CONCEPT

This study started out with an early stage prototype, incorporating a white-walled rectangular room in a residential setting using 2D post-it notes. Twelve participants signed up to a feasibility trial (with anonymity), each presenting symptoms of cognitive 'struggle' as part of the inclusion criteria, for example: Anxiety; Depression; PTSD; Suicide Ideation; Anger; Anorexia; Childhood Trauma.

Each individual engaged for up to 70 minutes with an early assumption that a standing approach could be useful. Participatory response was captured during this initial discussion, at a  14-day interval and then six-months later. The photo inset shows an actor in the original room, prior to the study being transferred to an IIVE and becoming part of a more robust study.

THE PROCESS

VISIT 1: Participant and Facilitator discussion with participant standing (where possible)

VISIT 2: Participant walks the room and interacts with facilitator present

VISIT 3: Participant interacts by themselves

VISIT 4: Participant reflects on the process and discusses future-plan

IIVE MOVING IMAGE
Tor Alexander Bruce

IIVE MOVING IMAGE

PROTOTYPING WITH EXPERTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA

The interdisciplinary researcher involved in the study has worked since 2001 with young people and adults, developing a hybrid-process of 1-1 therapeutic intervention, involving: clean language, in-depth interviewing, subjective-reasoning, empowerment coaching, visual-reflection, timeline, participatory feedback, future-focus planning and mapping. This has now progressed as a doctoral study, involving qualitative interviewing with participants who are experts via their profession in frontline mental healthcare, or by their experience of trauma. A multidisciplinary focus is being worked towards, aligning cross-sector perspectives and involving individuals who could potentially be end-users of the product throughout the design process.

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