Virtual Reality in Therapies

Abstract

Phobia treatment is emerging as one of the most effective applications of virtual reality (VR). VR has become an important tool in therapy wherein patients are subjected to anxiety-causing stimuli in a virtual environment. The first therapeutic application of VR was in the treatment of acrophobia conducted in 1993. Since then VR has been used to treat other phobias such as the fear of flying, agoraphobia, arachnophobia, fear of public speaking and fear of flying. A specific phobia is a common anxiety-related disorder that can be treated efficiently using different therapies including exposure therapy or cognitive therapy. One of the most famous methods to treat a specific phobia is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy involves exposing the target patient to the anxiety source or its context without the intention to cause any danger. One promising track of research lies in VR exposure therapy (VRET) and/or AR exposure therapy (ARET), where gradual exposure to a negative stimulus is used to reduce anxiety. Virtual reality (VR) lets therapists offer individualized, controlled, immersive, repeatable exposure experiences during in-office or teletherapy sessions. Exposure therapy is the best practice treatment for phobias, but real-world exposure can be frightening, difficult, uncontrollable, or difficult to arrange. Clients are seeking VR therapy because VR can make exposure therapy easier and more acceptable. Changes in VR generalize to the real world. This webinar covers uses of VR in treating phobias, presents key research findings supporting VR exposure therapy (VRET), and touches on Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) issues. The presentation includes seven secrets of effective VRET, eight ways to monitor client response, and two case studies. The webinar also discusses VRET’s benefits, potential risks, common therapist concerns, and two approaches to creating a VR exposure hierarchy.