Technologically Mediated Participatory Sense-Making

Digital technologies increasingly shape human interaction, yet technologically mediated communication still lacks important opportunities for affective attunement beyond mere information exchange. Focusing on digital psychotherapy, this dissertation investigates how technology can bridge this “interactional” gap through two complementary design strategies: immersive virtual reality therapy environments and an intuitive nonverbal communication channel using vibrational cues. Three empirical research articles provide validated design knowledge and two prototypes implementing these approaches. The dissertation further conceptualizes digital psychotherapy as technologically mediated participatory sense-making, grounded in Embodied Interaction and 4E Cognition. Successful implementation additionally requires seamless integration into clinical practice and flexible appropriation by users.