The origins of the project

Avatar Therapy uses 3D virtual reality to treat schizophrenia in individuals who do not respond to pharmacological treatments.

Developed in Montreal by Dr. Alexandre Dumais and Dr. Stéphane Potvin, Avatar Therapy reduces the impact of auditory hallucinations in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This innovative approach allows patients to engage in dialogue with their persecutory voices in a virtual environment. As a result, it helps patients develop new emotional regulation strategies and promotes self-esteem. Avatar Therapy presents itself as a valuable complement to existing pharmacological treatments.

The Avatar Project, a unique research initiative in North America, aims to compare Avatar Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In doing so, it provides access to two specialized and personalized therapeutic approaches for treating the symptoms of psychosis.

«The voices I heard were paralyzing me, and I had to constantly fight them, which drained all my energy. I wasn’t functioning. Thanks to therapy, I’ve cut my medication in half, and I’m starting to feel emotions for the first time in 16 years. […] Thanks to you, I’m rediscovering my humanity. I’ve started working; I feel useful, and I’m contributing to society. You’ve changed my life.”

– Richard Breton, Patient-Partner

Results of the Pilot Project