Ongoing research studies

Avatar Therapy- Virtual Reality Interventions for Voices and Visions (V3 Trial)

Audio Visual Assisted Therapy for Refractory Auditory Hallucinations (AVATAR) is a groundbreaking new approach that was developed by researchers in the UK. Our lab, along with colleagues at the University of Ottawa, McGill University and the University of Toronto are developing our own version of the Avatar therapy approach.

In this form of therapy, participants work with a therapist to collaboratively build an ‘avatar’ which looks and sounds like the dominant voice that they struggle with. They engage in dialogue with the voice (with support from the therapist) to learn to respond assertively and increase their sense of control and power over the voices. Over the course of therapy, the avatar changes from being demeaning or threatening to becoming more supportive. During therapy sessions, the participants will engage in dialogue with the Avatar using a virtual reality headset. 

This is a waitlist-control design so all participants will receive the therapy. They complete 4 assessments (at 3 month intervals), and are paid $30 per assessment ($120 in total). The study is open to participants with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder who have struggled with persistent voices (occurring more than once a week for over 12 months). 

Therapy sessions will be once a week at our lab at UBC and the treatment typically takes place over 12-14 weeks (three months).

If you are interested in participating in the study, you can contact us at psifi.lab@ubc.ca

Outcomes from Cognitive Remediation and Behavioural Intervention Techniques (ORBIT Trial)

Cognitive Remediation (CR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) are two well established psychosocial treatments for people experiencing psychosis. This study aims to examine how well the combination of therapies (cognitive behavioural therapy and cognitive remediation therapy) would work for improving symptoms of psychosis, cognitive skills (e.g., attention, memory, problem solving), and the ability to engage within one’s community. Separately, these two treatments have been evaluated in the past with promising results; however, it is unclear how well they work when combined.

The study is open to participants with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder who have not had CBT or CRT within the past 6 months. Participants are randomized to one of three conditions (CR+CBT, CR + other therapy, or sham CR + CBT). Thus all participants will receive at least one clinical intervention. Participants will complete four assessments in total: one before treatment initiation, one shortly after treatment completion, as well as 6 and 12 month follow up assessments. 

Participants in this study will join for one group therapy session and one individual therapy session each week for six months.

Participants are paid $30 per assessment ($120 in total), but not for attending the therapy sessions. 

If you are interested in participating in the study, you can contact us at psifi.lab@ubc.ca