Dr Stéphane Bouchard Part 2 Podcast Poster

Dr Stéphane Bouchard | Ep 20

by ExpertMental WellnessPodcasts
Watch or listen:
Virtual Reality Psychotherapy

Dr Stéphane Bouchard takes us on a fascinating journey through the development and use of Virtual Reality (VR) as a clinical tool, explaining how it can help overcome anxiety disorders, addictions, and chronic pain.

Stéphane’s insights underscored how VR is reshaping the future of mental health care and its potential to revolutionise psychotherapy.

Connect with the guests
Dr Stéphane Bouchard

Dr Stéphane Bouchard is a Director of Psychology at Quebec University – Laboratoire de cyberpsychologie de l’Université du Québec en Outaouais in Canada.

He is also a world leader in Virtual Reality (VR) based therapies.

Read his research in ORCiD
Orcid Logo

Find out more about the Quebec University CyberPsychology Lab, the team, their research and work.

In  French

In Virtuo

Find out more about In Virtuo and  get in touch with Dr Stéphane Bouchard to find out more about their VR offerings.

Dr Stéphane Bouchard, the world leader in virtual reality (VR) therapies, talks in this episode about VR research and its transformative potential in mental health treatment.

A Personal Journey into VR

Stéphane recounted how childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut and an early passion for sci-fi shaped his career. While eyesight limitations dashed his astronaut ambitions, his curiosity for exploration led him to psychology. Inspired by groundbreaking VR research in the ’90s, he merged his interests in technology and psychotherapy, creating a legacy in VR-based therapies.

What Makes VR Therapy Unique?

Unlike traditional telepsychotherapy, VR immerses patients in controlled, interactive environments that evoke emotional and behavioural responses. Using VR headsets, patients can safely confront fears, practice new skills, or manage cravings. Stéphane explained that VR provides a “standardised, controllable emotional context” that enables precise therapeutic interventions.

Applications Across Mental Health

Stéphane’s lab specialises in creating VR environments for:

  • Anxiety Disorders: From phobias to PTSD, VR aids in exposure therapy by allowing patients to confront fears safely and progressively.
  • Addictions: Simulated scenarios help patients develop control over cravings in real-life situations, such as resisting offers of drugs or alcohol.
  • Body Image and Schizophrenia: VR supports therapeutic work on self-perception and cognitive rehabilitation.

The Science of Presence

A critical aspect of VR therapy is “presence,” or the illusion of being fully immersed in a virtual world. Stéphane explained that VR doesn’t need to be perfectly realistic to be effective—what matters is how it triggers emotional and psychological responses. This understanding guides the development of environments that feel “real enough” for therapeutic progress.

Medical and Cultural Innovations

Beyond mental health, Stéphane’s lab explores VR’s role in:

  • Pain Management: VR helps distract patients from acute pain or teaches relaxation techniques for chronic pain sufferers.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: For example, VR environments tailored to Inuit culture integrate biofeedback to reflect emotional states, such as weather conditions representing stress.

Challenges and Future Directions

While VR therapy is groundbreaking, it comes with hurdles:

  • Accessibility: Hardware costs and tech knowledge remain barriers.
  • Ethical Use: Ensuring therapists use VR responsibly and effectively is paramount.
  • Technology Evolution: Rapid advancements mean constantly updating VR environments to remain compatible with new systems.

A Call to Collaboration

Stéphane also spoke about his company, InVirtuo, which distributes VR therapeutic tools to professionals globally. He stressed the importance of collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and developers to ensure VR tools remain scientifically grounded and accessible.

From anxiety disorders to chronic pain management, Dr Stéphane Bouchard’s work illustrates how virtual reality can be harnessed to deliver precise, controlled, and ultimately transformative therapeutic experiences.

By combining VR technology with expert psychological insight, clinicians can help clients conquer phobias, build coping skills, and even reduce loneliness. While it’s no magic wand, VR is rapidly proving its worth as a key component in the future of mental health treatment—one that just might help us all reach for the stars, no rocket ship required.

Dr Stéphane Bouchard 's Research and Publications

Books

Research

All Stéphanes’ research is available on his ORCiD profile – click here to access the page.

Some research and book chapters that is relevant to this podcast is listed below.

Other podcasts
Dr Stéphane Bouchard Part 1 Podcast Poster

Dr Stéphane Bouchard | Ep 16

by ExpertMental WellnessPodcasts
Watch or listen:
Video based Telepsychotherapy.

In this episode, we explore video based tele-psychotherapy, the definitions around, and differences to, other forms of therapy, and what therapists need to consider when conducting video based tele-psychotherapy.

Connect with the guests
Dr Stéphane Bouchard

Dr Stéphane Bouchard is a Director of Psychology at Quebec University – Laboratoire de cyberpsychologie de l’Université du Québec en Outaouais.

He is also a world leader in Virtual Reality (VR) therapies, based in Canada.

Read his research in ORCiD
Orcid Logo

Find out more about the Quebec University CyberPsychology Lab, the team, their research and work.

In  French

In today’s episode of Confessions of a CyberPsychologist, I chat to Dr Stéphane Bouchard about Video-based Telepsychotherapy. Stéphane shared his journey from clinical psychologist to a pioneer in video-based therapies, exploring the transformative potential of telepsychotherapy and its impact on mental health care.

The Origin of Video-Based Telepsychotherapy

  • Stéphane began using telepsychotherapy in the 1990s to overcome geographical challenges in delivering CBT to patients with anxiety and agoraphobia in remote areas.
  • Early efforts involved using cumbersome, specialised videoconference units long before the convenience of internet-based tools like Zoom.

Telepsychotherapy vs. Traditional Therapy

  • Telepsychotherapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy for many disorders, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. However, evidence varies for other conditions like personality disorders or issues without established gold-standard treatments.
  • It offers greater accessibility and patient autonomy, allowing clients to choose therapists based on expertise rather than location.

The Role of Telepresence

  • Telepresence, or the feeling of “being together” despite physical separation, is critical to the therapeutic alliance in telepsychotherapy.
  • Minor disruptions like technology glitches can impair telepresence, but it doesn’t need to be perfect for therapy to be effective.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

  • Privacy and Security: Ensuring confidentiality is paramount, especially when sessions occur in non-traditional settings like cars or family rooms. Therapists should use secure, encrypted platforms and establish safety protocols for clients in potentially harmful situations.
  • Hybrid Models: While telepsychotherapy offers flexibility, face-to-face options remain important for those who prefer in-person interactions or whose conditions may benefit from it.
  • Zoom Fatigue: Staring at screens and processing limited non-verbal cues can be taxing, highlighting the importance of managing therapy schedules thoughtfully.

Emerging Trends and Technology

  • Telepsychotherapy has shifted therapy from a geographically bound service to a personalised, accessible model. However, the public sector must adapt funding structures to support this change.
  • The future may see virtual reality therapy enhancing telepsychotherapy, though technical and ethical challenges remain.

Ethics and Media Representation

  • Stéphane emphasised the need for mental health professionals to guide the development of telepsychotherapy tools, ensuring clinical needs and ethical standards drive innovation.
  • He also highlighted the importance of critically evaluating media representations of cyberpsychology research and encouraged direct engagement with original studies.

Recommended Reading

Stéphane suggested Ethics in Cyberpsychology by Thomas Parson as an essential resource for understanding the ethical implications of technology in psychological practice.

Closing Thoughts

This insightful conversation underscored the transformative potential of telepsychotherapy in making mental health services more inclusive and accessible. Stéphane expertise illuminated both the promise and the challenges of this evolving field.

Research and Publications

You can access relevant research articles from Dr Bouchard here on:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia (PDA)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),

The role of the working therapeutic alliance

Treatment mechanisms

You can access research and publications for the lab directly on their website. 

Other podcasts
Dr Andrew Campbell Poster

Dr Andrew Campbell | Ep 11

by Digital Health & WellbeingExpertPodcasts
Watch or listen:
Digital Mental Health

In this episode, we explore the work the CyberPsychology Research Group at Sydney University are doing in Australia. 

We also dive into gaming and the future of cyberpsychology in industry.

Connect with the guests
Dr Andrew Campbell
Associate Professor Andrew Campbell has been researching and teaching in Digital Mental Health, Cyberpsychology and Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health for over 20 years.
 
He is the Chair of Australia’s first formal Cyberpsychology Research Group located within the research theme of Biomedical Informatics & Digital Health in School of Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine & Health at The University of Sydney.
 
He is the Inaugural Australasian Editor of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and speaks regularly through media and community events about consumer technologies impact on health and wellbeing.

Connect on Social Media :

X-twitter Linkedin Instagram

Sydney University Links:

Dr Campbell’s Profile.

CyberPsychology Research Group

CyberPsychology Research Group page

X-twitter Youtube Instagram

Drawing on his groundbreaking work in online counselling, gaming, VR therapies, and AI, Andrew shares his journey into cyberpsychology and the pressing issues shaping the field today.

Early Pioneering in Cyberpsychology

  • Unorthodox Beginnings
    Andrew’s fascination with online behaviour began in the late 1990s, before “cyberpsychology” was even recognised. His professors warned that studying psychology on the internet would be career suicide, but Andrew persevered, eventually attracting international experts to support his PhD research.
  • Academic Recognition in Australia
    Despite early scepticism, Andrew was able to launch the first Cyberpsychology Research Group in Australia at the University of Sydney in 2017. It has since expanded rapidly, reflecting a growing acceptance of cyberpsychology’s importance.

Mental Health Services Moving Online

  • Early Online Community Support
    Andrew identified a gap in mental health services: people were already going online for support but lacked professional, structured help. These insights fuelled his research into online counselling and mental health platforms.
  • My Circles Platform for Young People
    In collaboration with Kids Helpline, Andrew’s team developed My Circles, a tailored social media platform providing safe, counsellor-moderated communities for adolescents and young adults. They offer groups focusing on depression, anxiety, substance misuse, LGBTQ+ issues, and more—creating a vital space for kids in remote regions or those lacking local mental health resources.

Screen Time vs. Meaningful Engagement

  • Moving Beyond ‘Hours Online’
    Andrew argues that the concept of “screen time” is too simplistic—time spent online can be highly beneficial if it fosters creativity, learning, community, or mental well-being. Instead of dwelling on a fixed limit of two hours a day, families should focus on what kids are doing, why, and how it makes them feel.
  • Four Pillars of Digital Activity
    Andrew worked with HP on a tool called ‘Reflect’, which tracks online use in four categories:
    1. Productivity (work, school, organisation)
    2. Creativity/Leisure (gaming, content creation, music)
    3. Health & Well-Being (exercise apps, lifestyle research)
    4. Social Connection (family chats, genuine community)
      By visualising online activity, individuals can see whether they’re achieving balance or slipping into excessive use.

Gaming, VR, and ‘Moral Panic’

  • Debunking ‘Gaming Disorder’ Myths
    While excessive gaming can contribute to mental health problems like depression or social withdrawal, Andrew cautions that gaming alone seldom causes these issues. Often, underlying personal or environmental stressors lead to unhealthy gaming patterns.
  • Virtual Reality Interventions
    Andrew’s team explores VR in mental health contexts, including PTSD and anxiety treatments for veterans and calming interventions in emergency rooms. There’s also potential for VR to support older adults in aged-care settings, helping with social connectivity and cognitive stimulation.

Fostering Healthy Digital Citizenship

  • Signs of Problematic Use
    Social disengagement, sleep disruption, and aggression are key indicators that a child’s gaming habits might be becoming harmful. Andrew emphasises early intervention, empathetic communication, and professional help where necessary.
  • Parent–Child Dialogue
    Rather than banning devices outright, parents should show genuine interest in the games their children enjoy, understand the motivations behind gaming, and work together on finding a healthy balance.

The Future of Cyberpsychology

  • Broad Industry Applications
    The next wave of cyberpsychology is poised to affect every sector—from corporate environments and engineering firms to health care and education—wherever humans interact with digital systems.
  • AI, Deepfakes, and Misinformation
    Andrew highlights the dangers of AI-driven deception and the urgent need for critical-thinking skills in navigating misinformation. Cyberpsychologists will play an increasingly important role in helping organisations design ethical systems and educate the public.

Key Takeaways

  1. Cyberpsychology Has Real-World Impact: Once dismissed, the field now addresses crucial societal challenges, from rural healthcare to youth mental health.
  2. ‘Screen Time’ Is Outdated: Focus on meaningful engagement, not just hours spent online.
  3. Gaming Isn’t the Enemy: Underlying social, emotional, or mental issues usually fuel ‘excessive use’.
  4. Parents Should Engage, Not Just Restrict: Effective strategies involve understanding what children gain from gaming or social media.
  5. Ethics and Critical Thinking Matter: With AI and deepfakes on the rise, learning to identify misinformation is vital for safeguarding ourselves and our communities.

Final Thoughts
Andrew Campbell’s passion for cyberpsychology shines through in his drive to blend academic rigour with practical, real-world solutions. From providing remote mental health support to investigating AI ethics and scam prevention, his work underscores the value of keeping people at the centre of all digital innovation.

Dr Andrew Campbell's Research and Publications

Source (and more details available): Dr Campbell’s Profile at the University of Sydney.

Books

  • Using technologies safely and effectively to promote young people’s wellbeing: A better practice guide for services. 
  • Psychology and Life 
  • PHE1IDH Individual Determinants of Health. 
  • Psychology and Life: Australian Edition. 

Book Chapters

  • Communicating Electronically with Adolescents. [More Information]
  • Online Social Networking and the Experience of Cyber-Bullying. [More Information]
  • The effect of e-health contents on health science students’ attitude toward the efficiency of health ICT in care provision. [More Information]
  • Game-based learning: Current research in games for health, a focus on biofeedback video games as treatement for AD/HD. [More Information]
  • Healthy Connections: Online Social Networks and Their Potential for Peer Support. 
  • Online Social Networking Amongst Teens: Friend or Foe? [More Information]

 Journals

  • Exploring Discussions About Virtual Reality on Twitter to Inform Brain Injury Rehabilitation: [More Information]
  • Health Professionals’ Use of Online Communities for Interprofessional Peer Education. [More Information]
  • The Reel Health Care Professionals of Instagram. [More Information]
  • Increasing Access to Mental Health Services: Videogame Players’ Perspectives. [More Information]
  • Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior of Male Video Game Players [More Information]
  • Speech-Language Pathologists’ Views of Using Virtual Reality for Managing Cognitive-Communication Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury. [More Information]
  • Exploring the use of virtual reality to manage distress in adolescent patients in emergency departments. [More Information]
  • Online Group Counseling for Young People Through a Customized Social Networking Platform: Phase 2 of Kids Helpline Circles. [More Information]
  • A comparison design study of feedback modalities to support deep breathing whilst performing work tasks. [More Information]
  • A National Survey of Children’s Experiences of Parental Separation and Support Needs in Australia. [More Information]
  • Effectiveness of virtual reality interventions for adolescent patients in hospital settings. [More Information]
  • Psychoeducational social anxiety mobile apps. [More Information]
  • BRecommendations for the Design and Implementation of Virtual Reality for Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation. [More Information]
  • The Use of Virtual Reality for Managing Psychological Distress in Adolescents. [More Information]
  • A scoping review identifying the need for quality research on the use of virtual reality in workplace settings for stress management. [More Information]
  • Social Media Use by Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar. [More Information]
  • A Customized Social Network Platform (Kids Helpline Circles) for Delivering Group Counseling to Young People Experiencing Family Discord That Impacts Their Well-Being [More Information]
  • Augmented Experiences: Investigating the Feasibility of Virtual Reality as Part of a Workplace Wellbeing Intervention. [More Information]
  • Internet-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Treatment: [More Information]
  • Social Connection and Online Engagement: Insights From Interviews With Users of a Mental Health Online Forum. [More Information]
  • A Preliminary Understanding of Search Words used by Children, Teenagers and Young Adults in Seeking information about Depression and Anxiety Online. [More Information]
  • RDigital Health in Melanoma Posttreatment Care in Rural and Remote Australia. [More Information]
  • Representation of Women in Video Games. [More Information]
  • The Use of Social Networking Sites in Mental Health Interventions for Young People. [More Information]
  • Development and evaluation of an online acceptance and commitment therapy program for anxiety: Phase I iterative design. [More Information]
  • Virtual World Interview Skills Training for Students Studying Health Professions. [More Information]
  • Facebook as a Recruitment Tool for Adolescent Health Research. [More Information]
  • Using Facebook to deliver a social norm intervention to reduce problem drinking at university. [More Information]
  • ‘Off your Face(book)’: Alcohol in online social identity construction and its relation to problem drinking in university students. [More Information]
  • Comparing online and offline self-disclosure. [More Information]
  • “I did not realize so many options are available”: Cognitive authority, emerging adults, and e-mental health. [More Information]
  • Comparative randomised trial of an online cognitive-behavioural therapy program and an online support group for depression and anxiety.  
  • Understanding e-mental health resources: Personality, awareness, utilization, and effectiveness of e-mental health resources amongst youth. [More Information]
  • The Use of Computerized Self-Help Packages to Treat Adolescent Depression and Anxiety. [More Information]
  • Ageing, social capital and the Internet: Findings from an exploratory study of Australian ‘silver surfers’. [More Information]
  • Biofeedback video games to teach ADHD children relaxation skills to help manage symptoms. 
  • Can children with AD/HD learn relaxation and breathing techniques through biofeedback video games? 
  • Internet use and loneliness in older adults. [More Information]
  • Perceptions and behaviour of access of the Internet: A study of women attending a breast screening service in Sydney, Australia. [More Information]
  • Internet Use by the Socially Fearful: Addiction or Therapy? [More Information]
  • Stress and Psychological Well-Being among Allied Health Professionals. [More Information]

 Conferences

  • Understanding the First Person Experience of Walking Mindfulness Meditation Facilitated by EEG Modulated Interactive Soundscape. [More Information]
  • An Interactive Soundscape to Assist Group Walking Mindfulness Meditation. [More Information]
  • Mediscape: Preliminary Design Guidelines for Interactive Rhythmic Soundscapes for Entraining Novice Mindfulness Meditators. [More Information]
  • Sounds in the Moment: Designing an Interactive EEG Nature Soundscape for Novice Mindfulness Meditators. [More Information]
  • Online communication in different contexts: Social and eHealth Disclosures. 
  • Virtual world interview skills training for Health Professionals. 

Report

  • Evaluation of SANE Australia Thriving Communities project: The University of Sydney. 

 Research Reports

  • Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Youth Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar.
  • A National Online Survey about Children’s Experiences of Parental Separation.
Other podcasts
Cath Knibbs EP7

Catherine Knibbs | Ep 7

by Digital Health & WellbeingExpertPodcasts
Watch or listen:
The Psychology of Cyber Trauma, Online Harm, Gaming and Digital Connection.

Cath Nibbs explores online harms, reveals tech’s effect on child behaviour, and offers insight into safer digital interactions, healthy relationships, and solutions, spotlighting digital well-being.

Connect with the guests
Cath Knibbs

Cath Nibbs is a cyber trauma expert (amongst adults and children), human behaviour technologist, therapist, podcaster, TEDx speaker, global educator, and prolific author.

Cath’s focus lies at the intersection of online harms, psychotherapy, and how our relationships with technology affect our wellbeing.

She is currently studying towards a PhD. 

Connect on Social Media :

Linkedin X-twitter Youtube Facebook

Visit Cath’s personal website.

The Scope of Cyber Trauma

Cath highlighted her decade-long research into how children experience and process online harms. From witnessing violent or inappropriate content to grappling with social media anxieties, her work unpacks the complex psychological impacts of digital spaces and includes articles, books and developing online content to help others understand online trauma.

Key insights include:

  • Desensitisation or Adaptation? Children and adults may not always recognise how online content affects them emotionally and neurologically.
  • The Role of Technology in Relationships: Cath describes technology as a “relationship provocateur” that can alter how we connect with others and ourselves, potentially redefining attachment dynamics.

Books and Educational Work

Cath’s books delve into technology’s influence on human behaviour. Her forthcoming book, Managing Your Gaming and Social Media Habits, explores why we engage with technology the way we do and how to foster healthier, more intentional digital habits. She also addresses the common misconception that social media is for girls and gaming is for boys, offering nuanced insights into how different people use technology.

Cyber Trauma Therapy and Education

In her private practice, Cath works with children and families affected by online harms, often those from vulnerable backgrounds. She uses innovative approaches like gaming therapy to understand children’s inner worlds, showing how their gaming strategies reflect their real-life coping mechanisms.

She also educates therapists, social workers, and parents on navigating the digital landscape safely. Her aim is to replace fear-driven, authoritarian approaches with informed, supportive guidance.

The Bigger Picture

Cath advocates for a balanced perspective on technology. While recognising its potential for harm, she stresses that tech itself is not inherently bad—it’s human behaviour that shapes its outcomes. Her work encourages critical thinking, nuanced discussions, and better public understanding of these issues.

Where to Find Cath’s Work

Cath’s podcast, The Cyber Synapse, offers deep dives into topics like AI in therapy and data security. Her TEDx talk, The Real Social Dilemma, provides an eye-opening perspective on how technology impacts relationships. You can also find her books, videos, podcast (The Cyber Synapse Podcast) and training resources on her website.

This conversation was a profound reminder of the complex interplay between technology and human psychology. Cath’s work is a call to action for us all to engage more thoughtfully with our digital tools, ensuring they empower rather than harm.

Get in touch with Cath if you would like help around online trauma.

Books Published
Soon to be Published
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EP4 Raakesh Kriplani

Prof. Dr. Raakesh Kriplani | Ep 4

by Digital Health & WellbeingExpertPodcasts
Watch or listen:
The Work of CyberPsychology in India.

Prof. Dr. Raakesh Kriplani (in India) works alongside government institutions and the Rashtriya Raksha University to train the next generation of CyberPsychologists in India. We talk about how effective robotic, and AI mental health counselling therapy is and what influences children’s digital technology behaviour.

Connect with the guests
Prof. Dr Raakesh Kriplani

Prof. Dr Raakesh Kriplani is a pioneering CyberPsychologist in Pacific Asia, working in therapy, security and training.

Find out more about the work he does on the CIIPS website.

Connect on Social Media :

Linkedin X-twitter Youtube Facebook

Rashtriya Raksha University:

Cyberpsychology certificates and online courses:

Certificate Course in Cyberpsychology.

Online Diploma course.

Centre of Excellence for Cyberpsychology

In this episode, we speak with Professor Rakesh Kriplani, a leading cyberpsychologist in Asia-Pacific and the director of the Cosmic Integrated Institute of Psychology and Security (CIPS). Professor Kriplani shared his remarkable journey from a background in traditional psychology and medicine to becoming a pioneer in CyberPsychology.

A Unique Path to Cyberpsychology
Professor Kriplani’s journey began with a desire to bridge the gap between medical and psychological understanding. His early career involved working in pharmaceutical companies and medical colleges, fostering an eclectic approach to psychology. His fascination with the burgeoning digital world led him to envision the potential of online counselling as far back as 2008, long before it gained mainstream traction.

Building a Digital Ecosystem for Mental Health
Professor Kriplani’s efforts have culminated in the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem addressing digital wellness and CyberPsychology. Key initiatives include:

  • Digital Wellness Workshops: With a commitment to deliver 900 workshops annually in schools, these sessions focus on the science behind digital behaviours, addiction, and neurological impacts.
  • Training Cyberpsychologists: Through certificate and diploma courses, CIPS is equipping a new generation of professionals with the skills to address cyber addiction, digital counselling, and cyber security.
  • Digital Rehab Centre: Set to launch on a 20-acre island in Goa, India, this initiative will focus on combating mobile addiction through immersive, tech-free experiences.

Cybersecurity and Radicalisation
Professor Kriplani also highlighted the broader applications of Cyberpsychology, particularly in addressing global challenges such as cyberterrorism, radicalisation, and misinformation. His work with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and international organisations reflects a growing recognition of cyberpsychology’s potential to enhance both national security and societal well-being.

The Role of AI in Mental Health
A particularly exciting development is the integration of robotics and AI in mental health. Professor Kriplani is pioneering India’s first robotic counselling centre, which leverages AI to provide unbiased, stigma-free counselling. While acknowledging the limitations of AI in addressing complex emotional needs, he emphasises its suitability for issues like mild trauma, relationships, and teen counselling.

Challenges and Vision
Despite his significant achievements, Professor Kriplani candidly discussed the challenges of scaling Cyberpsychology, including a lack of funding and trained professionals. His ultimate vision is to make Cyberpsychology as globally recognised as yoga, positioning India as a leader in this transformative field.

Join the Movement
Professor Kriplani’s work underscores the urgent need for global collaboration in Cyberpsychology. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or tech enthusiast, there’s a role for everyone in building a healthier digital future.

Recommended Reading:

Wired for Wellness, provides practical insights for parents, teachers, and students to navigate the digital world.

You can purchase it from Amazon India here.

The Cyber Effect.

Podcast Transcript

(Transcript generated directly from podcast audio using TurboScribe, and not manually corrected for transcribing errors).

Welcome to Confessions of a Cyberpsychologist. Today I’m chatting with Professor Rakesh Kriplani who is a pioneer cyberpsychologist in Asia-Pacific and director of the Cosmic Integrated Institute of Psychology and Security which we’re going to find out more about later. Thank you for joining us today Rakesh.

Other podcasts
The Habit Revolution

The Habit Revolution – Dr Gina Cleo

by Book ReviewsDigital Health & Wellbeing

The Habit Revolution is a science-backed approach to how habits are formed, how less desirable habits can be changed and how positive habits can be reinforced. 

The book summary talks about it being ‘Beyond Atomic Habits’. Atomic Habits is a bit more case-study based. The Habit Revolution is more science-based. It is a deeper-dive version of how to change habitual behaviour that takes you into the how and why – helping to reduce the blame and guilt that comes from unhealthy habitual behaviour and providing many more psychological and behavioural tools and techniques to help with positive change.

If you want advice on how to make tiny, manageable, realistic changes that compound into large life-changing habits and behaviour, this book really is a revolution.

Dr Gina Cleo has a number of videos that you can watch on her YouTube channel, which can be found here.

Below is her showreel that gives you a flavour of the information she reveals in the book.

About Dr Gina Cleo:

Dr Ceelo is a leading expert in habit change. You can read more about her and what she does on her website. 

Book Review Related Articles
ADHD and Gaming

The link between ADHD and Online Addictions

by AttentionDigital Health & Wellbeing
Does spending lots of time online cause ADHD?

Directly. It seems not.

Spending time on digital devices does reduce your ability to focus and concentrate and excessive use can cause symptoms similar to those displayed with ADHD, but using a device will not ‘give you’ ADHD.  

Indirectly. It seems to. 

According to Gabor Mate, ADHD is a coping mechanism that children develop when there is limited connection with their primary caregiver does not, or is not able to, respond to their immediate need for care, reassurance and comfort. 

If a child does not receive an appropriate level of comfort, eye contact and their basic needs met, the child turns their focus inwards to achieve the comfort they need. It is this inward focusing that wires the brain in a non-neuro-typical way. 

Historically, it was those parents who were overly stressed, emotionally overburdened or in a state of survival that did not give them the emotional and mental resources to extend the care and 1-2-1 attention a young child needs to feel secure and safe in the world. 

However, since the launch of the smartphone, how many parents of young children do you see staring at their mobile screens while their young children are seeking or needing their attention? 

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children who are being diagnosed with ADHD, especially since the beginning of 2020. Is it just that we have more awareness of the condition and therefore a better ability to spot and diagnose it? OR are there simply more care-givers who are more distracted than ever before? 

Does ADHD predispose you to addictions?

Directly, it does seem to.

Those with ADHD have lower overall levels of Dopamine – the anticipation-feel-good hormone. Spending time online including scrolling through social media, gaming, gambling or pornography all contribute to regular, tiny bursts of Dopamine into the system.  

In their book ADHD 2.0, Dr Hallowell and Dr Ratey state that, ‘addiction of all kinds are five to ten times more common in people who have ADHD than in the general population.’  They talk about an itch that can only be scratched in certain ways. From a positive perspective, this leads to ‘adaptive, worthwhile and sustainable’ creativity, but can also lead to ‘maladaptive and destructive’ behaviour and addictions. 

There are socially acceptable forms of addiction and socially unacceptable forms of addiction. Online addictions vary by category on the spectrum from social media scrolling to gaming, gambling and pornography (to name a few).

All are driven by the same Dopamine itch that needs scratching (to a greater or lesser degree).

So what can we do about it?

If you have been diagnosed with ADHD or suspect you may have ADHD, here are a few things you can try:

  • Find a coach or therapist who works with adults who have ADHD to help you find different ways to manage the itch and find more creative outlets to express and capitalise on your inherent natural talents. 
  • Experiment with several external ‘real world’ activities that will help you build a local community and get you exercising.  Increasing your coordination and creating muscle movement is shown to help a number of those diagnosed with ADHD.
  • Actively seek to build stronger in-person relationships. Those who have ADHD thrive better in strong communities and have those around them who love, protect and care for them.
  • Go on a digital diet. Work with others in your household to create tech house rules that purposefully limit the amount of time available to spend on digital devices. 
  • Delete the apps from your phone that are the hardest for you to resist. Having extra barriers in place that increase access friction to apps or websites, decreases the easy access to the mini-Dopamine hits. 

In the above video, Dr Gabor Mate talks about the conditions that impact the development of children that lead to ADHD (and impulse regulation circulation and capacity).

In the below videos, Dr Hallowell talks about changing the narrative from disability and disorder to a fascinating trait. In the book he wrote alongside Dr Ratey (ADHD 2.0), he talks about ADHD being a person’s superpower.

He views ADHD as having a racing car brain with bicycle breaks. A fabulous analogy that helps those with ADHD to find ways to maximise their superpower.

Related Articles
Digital Dieting

Digital dieting is better than digital detox

by Digital Diet

The New Year is often filled with resolutions on how to be better, do things better, achieve more, go more places, do more things…

Often our annual resolutions come with one or another form of ‘detox’ that we hope will change our habits and ways of ‘doing life’.

After a bit of effort (and an attempt to bolster our willpower levels with super-human feats of determination) it is not long before ‘life’ gets in the way and maintaining our resolutions becomes too much hard work.

Without always realising it until we’ve picked them up again and subconsciously slipped back into old automatic habits and behaviours.

Anecdotally, a lot of us know that we spend too long on our devices and in front of a screen. We open an app and get lost of hours, afterwards regretting the time we could have spent doing something else or being somewhere else or talking with someone else.

We also either recognise or sense that we are losing focus and attention – both at work and at home. Johann Hari investigates this in his book ‘Stolen Focus’.

A recent Guardian article feeds back on research questions they put out to the public on how much time they felt they spent online. It seems a lot of us are in the same boat – feeling that we are consumed by our digital media and are more addicted than we’d like to be. From the article, you can sign up to their weekly newsletter, where you can receive tips and tricks on how to ‘break up with your phone’.

This could be an interesting series to engage in, but with a caveat that making longer-term changes to your relationship with technology is not just about ‘breaking up with your phone’, it is also about understanding what is driving your relationship with and using your devices (and apps).

Digging below the surface of our behaviour can have interesting consequences. Our excessive phone use could be:

  • a means to mitigate loneliness
  • an escape from reality
  • an inability to be bored
  • a fear of missing out
  • a way to signal your identity to others (especially if the technology is new)
  • etc

Like any other potential addictive or compulsive behaviour, understanding the underlying cause of excessive digital tech use can empower you with more of a chance of overcoming the addiction/compulsion and making a lasting change.

A better option than engaging in a digital detox is building better digital habits and finding ways to reduce digital engagement – much like limiting calorific intake if going on a food diet. James Clear’s ‘Atomic Habits’ book could be a good place to start in building your personal digital habit changes.

Putting boundaries in place that reduce our access to a device, app or game can be very helpful in reducing the amount of time we spend engaging in digital habits. An example would be removing social media apps from your phone, but leaving them on your laptop – providing an extra few steps in the process of accessing the content can reduce your use. A time-based boundary could be only allowing yourself access to social media during your train ride home from work. 

A short-term digital detoxes has its place in showcasing the effect the behaviour has on your life – both in terms of what you are missing out on in ‘real world’ interactions, but also in how that behaviour is making you feel from a positive and negative perspective. In her book ‘Dopamine Nation’, Dr Lemke talks about the benefits of short-term detoxes (even a 24-hour detox) as a way of highlighting the impact the behaviour has on your body and mind. 

However, creating a strategy and building actionable steps into your daily life is a much better longer-term solution. From a digital perspective, think through things like: 

  • what notifications you will allow to remain on
  • how much time you spend with your phone in your field of vision/nearby
  • whether you check your work emails after hours
  • what apps you have on your phone (including social media)
  • if your phone goes with you into the bedroom at night
  • what ‘rules’ you have around phone use in social settings
  • if you reach for your phone while waiting for someone or something
  • if you go anywhere without a phone – so you have time to re-engage with others/nature/etc.
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How to Break Up Article Header

How To Break Up With Your Phone – Catherine Price

by Book ReviewsDigital Diet

The book starts with an anecdotal account of an ongoing relationship Catherine has with her phone. It is an insightful look into how most of us are with our devices.

Catherine uses the analogue of a human relationship to aptly describe and talk through how we pour our time, attention and energy into our digital devices. An apt analogy – as for many of us, a smartphone has mostly replaced the physical, human relationships we have with others. 

Part 1 of the book outlines many reasons why you should spend less time on your phone.

It also helps you understand what is going on with your brain, hormones and sleep when you use your phone regularly and consistently. 

It is a great set-up for Part 2 that takes you through a day-by-day plan to help break that constant phone habit. 

I regularly advocate that a Digital Detox is normally as effective as another resolution or life goal. It’s all good intentions – and then life gets in the way. 

Catherine Price makes a good point about a Digital Detox giving you an insight into how much our phone is impacting our lives. By stepping away from it for a period of time, we can look up and notice what we’ve given up by looking down at a screen.

Saying we are going to spend less time on our phones is a different concept from going through a structured plan that gives you a step-by-step guide that walks you through the process and helps keep you on track. 

If you have ever thought about doing a ‘Digital Detox’, this book is worth a) reading and b) following the 30-day plan. 

However, my suggestion is to use this as a stepping-stone, not a one-off, into a healthier relationship with your technology. Use it as a way to train yourself on how to manage your day in a more focused, present way – kind of like 30 days of spa treatment for your mind and attention.  

You can get a glimpse into the book through these YouTube videos. 

Her point in the first video, which I also speak about often, is that if we do not pay for the product, we are the product. 

Social media business models are about making money from what you see in the advertising space they sell to the highest bidder. 

By stepping out of that world more often, we become less of a commodity to BigTech and more present in the real world.

About Catherine Price:

Catherine Price is a journalist and author. You can read more about her on her official website here. 

Her book How to Break Up with Your Phone is one of two she has authored including The Power of Fun. 

Book Review Related Articles
Digital Detox Dry January

A Digital Detox is as effective as a Dry January

by Digital Health & Wellbeing

There is a debate amongst academics that bubbles below the surface as to the existence of digital addictions. Some research finds a rationale for it, and other research doesn’t. 

When speaking about digital use, I often compare digital technology use in a similar way to the consumption of food or even alcohol – although food is probably a better comparison for office-based workers as it is very difficult to earn a living this way without using digital technology to do so. It is unlike alcohol in that it is generally possible to find ways to abstain from alcohol without forfeiting income as a result.

We know that healthy food can be over-consumed, become obsessed over or become a source of control. Unhealthy food can be indulged in (or even eaten on the sly) and food can be eaten alone or shared and promote social engagement.

In the same way, digital tech that is good for you can be overused, obsessed over or feel controlling. Unhealthy digital tech use has a number of negative emotional, mental, physical, relational and social consequences.

I would argue that digital tech can be as addictive, and controlling, as any other behavioural addiction, such as gambling, porn or food. We are human. In our search for happiness and pleasure, we seek ways to satisfy our desires, comfort our anxiety, and help us escape from reality. When a substance, situation, person or activity gives us the relief we are seeking, it is easy to slip into repeating the behaviour or consuming the substance that helped us in the past.

When we recognise that something has become a life-crutch or we realise we are over-indulging, we can either justify the action or seek ways to reduce the behaviour. We often use ‘gateway days’ or events to start a new behaviour, such as, ‘Monday I’ll start my new diet’, or, ‘after my birthday I’ll stop drinking so much wine at night’, or, ‘I’ll do a Dry January reset and after that I’ll be able to keep my wine consumption down to a glass a night’.

But these things rarely happen.

Unless we recognise and sort out the underlying causes of our behaviour, and set about making small, conscious, consistent adjustments to how we do things, it is difficult to change longer term behaviour.

So, attempting to do a Digital Detox for a few weeks (or even a few months) is likely to showcase the impact that digital technology has on our body’s, minds and behaviour, it is not likely to change overall digital behaviour unless we take purposeful, strategic and practical steps to change our daily use of our technology. In the same way that embarking on a ‘Dry January’ showcases the benefits and negative consequences of excessive social or solo drinking. 

Most of us probably spend far too long on social media platforms – around 2.5 hours a day. This is more than the time we spend eating, and about 1/3 of the time we should spend sleeping each day.

A recent article in The Conversation suggests that a social media detox is not as good for you as you may think. Social media has its advantages and disadvantages. Each platform has morphed dramatically since its original inception as the business model changes and investors/owners coffers need to be filled.

In the same way that each of us needs to investigate the impact of our food and alcohol consumption on our physical (and mental) health and wellbeing, we each need to analyse the impact of our digital technology use on our mental (and physical) health and wellbeing and take steps to change that behaviour. Radical changes or complete abstinence is a difficult way to change behaviour. Slow and steady habit changes and daily choices are often a more sustainable way to impact behaviour.

A great book to read/listen to around habit change is James Clears ‘Atomic Habits’. He provides a number of practical ways to make radical, sustainable changes a micro-step at a time. 

One of my favourite suggestions is to make changes your environment and make it more difficult to indulge in unhelpful behaviour. Removing social media apps and work emails from your phone may cause enough friction (i.e. having to power-up your computer) to reduce the amount of time spent looking at your phone and increase the time spent with others. It also frees up more time each day to spend doing other tasks that are more enjoyable and personally rewarding.