AuraAid
Customisable virtual environments dedicated to mindfulness
Sept 2023 to May 2024
Unity, Blender, Figma, Meta Quest 2, Adobe Creative Suite, Mozilla Hubs
AuraAid is a platform for customisable virtual environments dedicated to mindfulness that addresses access barriers and stigma while promoting inclusivity and privacy amongst immigrant communities.
With collaborative designs explored themes of diaspora, identity, and intergenerational trauma, ensuring VR therapy sessions address the diverse needs of specific targeted audiences. These images capture moments within our VR environments, depicting serene landscapes, traditional motifs, and moments of introspection, inviting users to embark on a journey of healing rooted in their cultural heritage.
Awarded Parsons Graduate Student Research
Fund by the Dean’s Council
Target Audience
Our primary target audience includes immigrants or expats experiencing acculturation stress, offering them a platform to customize therapeutic environments tailored to their cultural backgrounds and preferences. Our secondary audience comprises educational institutions with diverse student populations facing mental health issues, providing customizable therapeutic scenes for campus services. Additionally, our tertiary audience involves cultural centers and community spaces partnering with AuraAid to offer immersive therapy workshops and events for specific cultural groups, fostering community resilience and well-being.
I’ve always felt hesitant about seeking therapy, I don’t want to be diagnosed with words I don’t understand
Over Zoom, she can’t read my body language or how I am doing and I feel like it’s a front.
A third party perspective on everything helped frame my day to day in a different perspective.
In Indian culture, it is a challenged to become comfortable with a therapist off the bat, to ease it in it is better to have a therapist from the same background so no need to explain cultural context.
The reason that family and the community wasn’t enough is that grief is a personal thing and it doesn’t feel right to share.
I feel better in person session but doing it through in zoom is the best option since I live in NY. And, I want to work with a Turkish therapist.
I, like Peter, hate Zoom therapy. Even here, online therapy with Better Help is sucky.
It felt like my cultural identity was overlooked, and, I struggled to connect with my therapist.
I did go to the community and they directed me to think about therapy. My culture is hybridised, they think in both ways traditional and western, best of both of those worlds.
I did go to the community and they directed me to think about therapy. My culture is hybridised, they think in both ways traditional and western, best of both of those worlds.
Qualitative Research
I conducted extensive research interviews with over 24 members of immigrant community and therapists across New York about their experiences with therapy in the United States. Through this I was able to understand that the current available therapy options are not tailored to immigrants and Zoom therapy is just not enough.
Of Asian adults in the U.S
are immigrants
68%
Of Asian immigrants feel
acculturation stress
60%
Quantitative Research
I wrote two research papers which explored the titles: "How does cultural variation in the definition and practice of therapy impact the acceptance of mental health" and "Exploring the culturally relevant therapy practices for first-generation Southeast Asian immigrants in the United States: integrating technology for enhanced delivery and accesibility".
If you would like to learn more about my research please email me at eshavipul.m@gmail.com
Prototype
Through leveraging technology and the environment we aim to provide customisable VR environments and immersive therapy experiences tailored to your needs. AuraAid offers three key features:
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Customisable VR environments tailored to individual needs.
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Immersive therapy experiences designed to address acculturation stress.
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Personalised support to guide users through their therapeutic journey.
How can I access AuraAid?
Stage 1
A member of AuraAid’s team will come to the home of a potential use to assess if they are suitable for immersive therapy through the free onboarding session.
How can I begin?
Stage 2
Through the free onboarding session, the candidate proceeds to set up their account.
How can I tailor my therapeutic experience?
Stage 3
First, AuraAid guides the candidate through an onboarding questionnaire. Here is how its structured:
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Appointment Preference: The option for an in-person or Telehealth appointment
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Participant Preference: The option to include family members.
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Therapeutic Approach: The option for a counselling or mindfulness appointment
Through this questionnaire, AuraAid ensures each candidate receives a personalised therapeutic experience that aligns with their preferences and objectives.
Where can I communicate with my care team? How can I manage my therapy sessions?
Stage 4
After completing the questionnaire, AuraAid will develop a personalised dashboard, to facilitate seamless interaction with the candidate’s care team. The dashboard includes a user summary, care team details, medication details, relevant history and finally the details of the next scheduled appointment.
The dashboard serves as a central hub to access essential information, communicate with their care team and manage their therapy session effectively.
How can I access my therapy session? Are there any other options for customisation?
Stage 5
Once the user joins the appointment, they will be assigned to one of AuraAid’s culturally trained therapists and receive a short bio. As the session progresses, the therapist will guide them through the process of constructing their own VR environment.
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Choice of scenery
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Choice of pre-designed rooms or the option to upload the user’s photo scans that closely match real life settings
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Option to further personalise with miscellaneous items
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Option to populate space with furniture
This guided process ensures a tailored environment for the user to undergo therapy in.
