Contents

Introduction

Abstract
Background

Project Basics

Member Requirements
Hardware & Software Requirement
Group Plan
Basic Group Rules
The Meeting Space
Special Considerations
Disclaimer

Summaries of Trial Runs

The First Attempt
The Second Attempt

The Future of Avatar Training

References & Links

      List of Figures

Avatar example
Meeting space looking back
Meeting space looking front

Introduction

This section provides some history regarding the formation of the Avatar Training Process group project and offers some insight into the need for such a group for mental health professionals.

Abstract
Background

Abstract

The growing popularity of the Internet among the general public has opened up an exciting new avenue for the delivery of mental health services. Cybertherapy, Net Counseling, E-Therapy and a host of other terms are being coined to describe this new direction in mental health. Lured by the promise of a global client base, many mental health professionals are setting up web sites and virtual offices from which to practice. While most would agree that what they offer is not therapy, the debate over what constitutes therapy and the ethics of online service delivery continues. A common thread in the code of ethical conduct between psychologists and mental health counselors is that [practitioners] shall have training, experience and supervision in an area and ensure competence to protect others from harm (American Psychological Association, 1997; American Counseling Association, 1997). Social workers have a similar call to become and remain proficient in professional practice (National Association for Social Workers California Chapter, 1997). At the present time, no such training and supervision exists.

The Avatar Process Training Group, APT, is one of three online training groups being developed as a means of investigating the feasibility of providing training and supervision in online service delivery. The other two included a small, private email group, and a larger, listserv-based group. Both these groups were called NetPsy-EPT and NetPsy-LPT. The idea for these groups came about as a result of discussions held on the NetPsy listserv owned by Marlene Maheu Ph.D. who suggested and initially organized their development to explore online training possibilities.

The main objective of these groups is to provide a means of training mental health professionals in the dynamics of online services delivery by exposing them to the elements of online communication in a safe and supervised environment. Professionals can learn first hand of the problems that can be encountered online and gain experience as a group member and group leader under supervision. APT uses software that places group members in a three dimensional virtual reality world with avatars to represent them. This software allows for a wide range of emotional expression, movement, and realtime full duplex voice communications.

Next - Background

1/4/99