Virtual therapy aids in facing the real world

Arno Hartholt, left, and Stéphane Bouchard, both researchers, interacted with avatars, Mr. Hartholt in a Wild West setting. Michal Czerwonka for The New York Times; below, dave chan for The New York Times

OTTAWA - Advances in artificial intelligence and computer modeling are allowing researchers to gain insight into how people are affected by interactions with virtual humans - or by inhabiting avatars of themselves.