+ Thoughts

Positive Thoughts is a mobile game for teenagers who are seeing a therapist. It is designed to provide a positive connection between the clinic and the teenager's world. The gameplay is based around trying to catch letters to spell a positive motivational statement, developed with the therapist.

Date: 2005-6
Collaborators: Gavin Doherty, John Sharry
Outputs:Publications

Background

Positive motivational statements can be useful to help people get through difficult times. Therapists often develop these statements with a client and recommend that they use them during stressful times.

Approach

Positive thoughts uses computer gaming to ambiently reinforce in positive motivational statements. The game is similar in mechanic to Asteroids - instead of shooting asteroids, the player shoots letters to spell their statement. Therapists can cue up several statements that can be sent to the player as they progress through the game.

Publications

Matthews, M. & Doherty, G., Wireless Therapy: mobile games as a means of engaging adolescent clients. Presented at Cybertherapy 2005, Basel, Switzerland. Abstract in Cyberpsychology and Behavior, 8(4), pp.343, 2005

Presentations

Matthews, M. (2006). Mobile Therapy: Games for Mental Health. Presented at the Games for Health Conference, September 29th, 2006, Baltimore, Maryland, USA