Sandscape
A virtual sandtray experience facilitating child therapy worldwide.
PARTNER
Centre for Digital Media
The Digital Lab
Type of work
Digital Theraputics
technology
Overview
Introducing New Possibilities for Child Therapy Worldwide
Globally, the rising prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents poses a significant public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that mental health disorders impact approximately 10% to 20% of children and adolescents worldwide. These conditions range from anxiety and depression to conduct disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As the importance of mental health in overall well-being gains wider recognition, the need for innovative child therapy approaches becomes increasingly urgent. Traditional methods, such as sandtray therapy, have proven effective in helping young individuals navigate these challenges. The limitations inherent in physical sandtrays present a significant challenge, prompting this project to develop a digital/virtual sandtray experience. This innovation aims to overcome existing barriers and introduce new possibilities for child therapy worldwide.
Research & Design
Traditional Tools, Modern Designs
The Digital Lab collaborated with registered clinical counsellors specialized in child and adolescent counselling and the Centre for Digital Media to envision SandScape - a virtual and interactive sandtray therapy. In SandScape, users can express their emotions, process trauma, and gain self-awareness by creating scenes representing their thoughts, emotions, or experiences.
The transition to a SandScape offers a unique chance to transform child therapy. By integrating technology, we have modernized this therapeutic tool, making it more relevant and engaging for contemporary youth. This innovation encompasses several key areas:
- Visual and Thematic Customization: Updating the visual style to align with modern preferences enhances engagement. The ability to alter environments and themes allows for a tailored therapeutic experience, meeting individual patient needs.
- Perspective and Interaction: Offering various perspectives, including 2D, 3D, VR, and options for first and third-person views, broadens therapeutic possibilities. The digital format also enables session saving for future reference or analysis, an option not available with traditional sand trays.
- Inclusivity and Representation: Customizable avatars reflecting diverse ethnicities, genders, body types, and characteristics ensure inclusivity and representation.
- Data Integration and Analysis: Incorporating assessments, data, and analytical tools provides therapists with valuable resources to support therapy and research.
Potential Impact
Improved Accessibility, Engagement, and Effectiveness
The digital sandtray initiative is poised to revolutionize child therapy by enhancing accessibility, engagement, and effectiveness. Leveraging technology to transcend traditional therapy's limitations can lead to significant health, socioeconomic, and systemic benefits. Research underscores the efficacy of early, engaging interventions in mental health, which can substantially mitigate long-term impacts and healthcare costs. We feel that increased digital interventions can reduce adolescent symptom severity, improving academic performance and social integration. Furthermore, integrating digital tools in therapy aligns with the shift towards telehealth, offering a scalable solution that can alleviate systemic pressures on mental health services. By fostering early intervention and reducing barriers to care, SandScape can contribute to a healthier, more resilient generation, with far-reaching implications for public health and economic stability.
Learn More
Virtual Map
Navigate, play, and prepare – a gamified hospital adventures!
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