What is it about being connected in a virtual world that some people don’t “get”?
I am not a gamer. But I understand how one can become connected in a virtual world like Second Life, and even become absorbed to the point of neglecting one’s responsibilities and relationships in their real life or “first life” (as Second Lifers refer). But that’s not really the story that needs to be told. Connections are taking place. New relationships are being built. Students are learning. Co-workers are listening.
And yet there are many people who don’t understand any of it.
In one’s role as a coach or therapist, a person’s life journey is heard from many different perspectives. People tell their stories in different ways. Coaches and therapists may even give the client tools to discover different ways to tell their story -vision boards, sand play, gestalt, art, music and other expressive therapies are considered a quite proper adjunct to the work.
So how would most of us react (at least the unseen reaction) to someone telling their story through an avatar in a virtual world? Would you be open or would your biases be immediately obvious? Would the fear of the technology itself keep you from joining with your client to hear possibilities? Or would you embrace the opportunity as a sacred invite from someone who has chosen you to accompany them to the next guidepost?
… read the complete story ~ http://issuu.com/onlinetherapyinstitute/docs/titliss10/24
This article first appeared in the Spring 2012 issue of TILT Magazine ~ Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology.
Click here to read the entire PDF version of the Cyberspace as Culture: A New Paradigm for Therapists and Coaches article.
DeeAnna Merz Nagel and Kate Anthony co-founders of the Online Therapy Institute and the Online Coach Institute. Gretta Louw is a multi-disciplinary artist working with a variety of mediums, exploring the potential of art as a means of investigating individual, cultural and psychological phenomena.
