In a society where mental health issues are prevalent, engagement with psychotherapy remains low due to stigma and accessibility barriers. Telepsychotherapy offers a potential solution but holds challenges, including difficulties in encouraging open self-disclosure and ease of access. In this research, we introduce CounselAR, an augmented reality (AR)-mediated therapy service designed to facilitate one-on-one therapy sessions by allowing both client and therapist to use AR filters to maintain varying degrees of anonymity. Through a six-week field deployment involving nine clients and four therapists, we explored how AR-mediated therapy might support psychotherapy from both the clients’ and therapists’ perspectives. The results illustrate the potential role of AR filters in enhancing self-disclosure, building rapport, and lowering entry barriers to psychotherapy. Drawing on these findings, we discuss the nuanced role of AR filters and the implications of leveraging AR in psychotherapy. 

#Bio 

Younah Kang is a professor of Information and Interaction Design at Underwood International College, Yonsei University. Her research interests lie in human-computer interaction and user experience design, with a specific focus on emerging technologies. Prior to joining Yonsei University, she worked as a user experience researcher at Google Mountain View. Kang received her PhD in Human-Centered Computing from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MS in Information from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. She also holds a BS in Industrial Design from KAIST.