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
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.