Virtual reality technology is to the point now where it’s possible to step into a highly realistic computer-generated world. So, what if you could use that computer simulation to face your biggest fears or find refuge in a calmer environment. That’s the idea behind virtual reality therapy, an increasingly popular option for psychotherapists who want to help their patients overcome trauma and gain confidence.
Just as you would if you were using virtual reality to play a game, virtual reality therapy involves wearing a headset that covers your head and gives you a 3-D view of a computer simulation where you can look up, down, left, and right, undistracted by the environment outside of the headset, which you can’t see.
These simulated realities offer a huge opportunity for therapists to create specific environments that can help their patients in healing and recovery. It may sound strange or surprising to someone who has never experienced virtual reality before—after all, how can a fake world help that much? Here’s what you should know:
1. It’s not the virtual reality itself that’s therapeutic. Instead, a therapist is able to create specific experiences that aid in cognitive behavioral therapy, in which a patient is able to identify unhelpful thoughts and strive for positive reactions.
2. Virtual reality can make therapy sessions more efficient because a therapist can put a patient in an otherwise triggering situation that they are now able to experience in a controlled environment. For example, if a patient has experienced trauma that makes them afraid of crowds, virtual reality can simulate a realistic experience of standing in a huge crowd of people with sights and sounds.
3. Patients can apply coping skills in real time with a therapist’s guidance, particularly if they need to try multiple times through repeated exposure. In typical talk therapy, a patient must imagine these scenarios, which is not as immersive, or wait until they experience them in real life, which can feel less safe.
4. It’s not just about creating negative experiences so patients can overcome them. Virtual reality can also create calming, peaceful experiences—such as a tranquil beach or a peaceful field—that helps patients relax.
5. Some patients use virtual reality for virtual therapy sessions from home, finding that being immersed in a simulated environment feels much more personal than sitting on a video call. Some patients will even use avatars to maintain anonymity, which can help them open up more easily.
6. Studies show that virtual reality can be an effective addition to therapeutic treatment. Research published in JMIR Mental Health in May 2023 showed virtual reality offers an alternative for people with social anxiety or depression who can’t do in-person sessions.
