Virtual Reality, Kids' Online Relationships, and Counseling with Melissa Bartholomew, LMHC | MHAM #2

Melissa Bartholomew is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor on the Big Island of Hawai'i who uses virtual reality to meet remotely with kids & teenage clients.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:12) - Mel's background
(06:23) - COVID pandemic + lockdowns have made adolescents lonely
(12:45) - Healthy and unhealthy digital relationships with "Internet friends"
(17:38) - Parental involvement in kids' digital lives
(21:18) - Social media and quality content
(24:35) - Using virtual reality in therapy with the Virgils platform
(28:57) - Mother and daughter open up on a walk-and-talk in VR
(34:13) - Tip for parents who are concerned about kids' tech use
EPISODE LINKS:
Mel's private practice: https://brighterbound.com
Mel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahelpfulcounselor/
Mel's email: [email protected]
ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Mental Health in the Age of the Metaverse is hosted by Christian Ulstrup, CEO of Virgils Inc. Each episode, Christian speaks with therapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers about how tech impacts our mental health — the bad as well as the good — and what parents can do about it.
ABOUT VIRGILS INC:
Healthy tech habits program for adolescent boys: https://virgils.io
HIPAA-compliant VR platform for therapists: https://virgils.io/therapists
SOCIAL:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/virgilsvr
Facebook: https://facebook.com/virgilsvr
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/virgils
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmu1qAWtxzDxA5DFBUzW01g