The AMETHYST trial
The Voices Clinic at Swinburne University of Technology is leading the AMETHYST trial – an Australia-wide telehealth-based therapy trial for hearing voices funded by the Australian Government.
What are the aims of the AMETHYST trial?
The AMETHYST study is an Australia-wide psychological therapies trial for hearing voices. It compares two therapies for people who have ongoing experiences of hearing negative voices.
One of the therapies is the new Avatar Therapy. It could be more effective than current best practice therapy, but this has not yet been directly tested.
The AMETHYST trial aims to find this out by comparing the two. This will increase our understanding of the best ways to help individuals who hear voices to provide better care in the future.
What is involved in participating?
All potential participants will be screened by the AMETHYST team for eligibility and suitability to be invited to enrol in the trial. Enrolled participants will receive one of two specialist talking therapies for hearing voices (the Avatar Therapy or the current best practice therapy). Both are evidence-based and will be delivered by an experienced therapist.
Participants will also be asked to complete a research assessment before starting therapy and follow-up assessments after completing therapy. The therapy and assessments will be delivered via video conferencing on Zoom. Participation is available to people throughout Australia.
Interested in participating?
For more information about participating in the trial, please download our information flyer for participants [PDF 255KB].
You can also register your interest in participating through an online form. The AMETHYST team will get in touch with you.
Information for practitioners
For more information about referring someone to the trial, please download our information flyer for clinicians [PDF 241KB].
You can also refer someone to the trial through an online form. The AMETHYST team will contact you or the potential participant.
Have any questions?
For more information about the study, please get in touch with the AMETHYST team by calling +61 3 9214 4365 or emailing amethyst@swinburne.edu.au.