arXiv subjects

Wujie Gao

Publications and source records attributed to Wujie Gao.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

"When I see Jodie, I feel relaxed": Examining the Impact of a Virtual Supporter in Remote Psychotherapy

Virtual agents have shown promising potential in mental health applications, but current research has predominantly focused on contexts outside of traditional therapy sessions. This paper examines the impact of a virtual supporter in remote psychotherapy sessions conducted via Zoom. We used a two-phase research approach. First we conducted a formative study to understand the roles and functions of human supporters in psychotherapy contexts. Based on these findings, we developed a virtual supporter operating in two modes: Daily Mode (for mood journaling outside therapy) and Therapy Mode (as an additional participant in Zoom therapy sessions). Finally we ran a user study with 14 participants who engaged with the virtual supporter for a week and then joined a remote psychotherapy session together. Our findings revealed that the virtual supporter had positive effects on creating psychological safety, reducing anxiety, and enhancing emotional articulation without disrupting the therapeutic process. We then discussed both the benefits and potential disadvantages of virtual supporters in therapeutic contexts, including concerns about over-reliance and the need for appropriate boundaries. This research contributes to understanding how AI-driven virtual agents could contribute to human-led remote psychotherapy.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2024

Explorations in Designing Virtual Environments for Remote Counselling

The advent of technology-enhanced interventions has significantly transformed mental health services, offering new opportunities for delivering psychotherapy, particularly in remote settings. This paper reports on a pilot study exploring the use of Virtual Reality (VR) as a medium for remote counselling. The study involved four experienced psychotherapists who evaluated three different virtual environments designed to support remote counselling. Through thematic analysis of interviews and feedback, we identified key factors that could be critical for designing effective virtual environments for counselling. These include the creation of clear boundaries, customization to meet specific therapeutic needs, and the importance of aligning the environment with various therapeutic approaches. Our findings suggest that VR can enhance the sense of presence and engagement in remote therapy, potentially improving the therapeutic relationship. In the paper we also outline areas for future research based on these pilot study results.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2014

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the light shift in Ramsey coherent population trapping

The ac Stark shift (or light shift) of the 6$^{2}$S$_{1/2}$ (F $=$ 3 $\leftrightarrow $ 4) transition in $^{133}$Cs, as observed through coherent population trapping under pulsed excitation, is measured using a $^{133}$Cs gas cell and the $D_1$-line vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. This light shift can be calculated using density-matrix analysis. We derive an expression for this shift as a function of light intensity, showing that it varies linearly with respect to light intensity only with intensities higher than 1.0~mW/cm$^2$. For pulsed excitation of high laser intensity, the variation in light shift is 20 times lower than that when using a continuous wave. The differences between the results of theory and experiment are discussed, taking into account the difference in conditions assumed; the results from theoretical analysis, taking the attenuation of the first-order sideband into account, approximately agree with the experimental results. The light shift is reduced by shortening the observation times.

physics.atom-ph↗