Virtual Reality Therapy

Virtual reality is becoming a norm in our modern lives, it’s used for gaming, social media and even in training. The technology may seem futuristic, but it’s more common than you think. Studies have concluded VR is a viable tool to support the treatment of a number of different anxiety disorders and is proven to have lasting effects in the real world.* Many therapists are beginning to see the positive effects of virtual reality to help clients with anxiety and phobias.

What is virtual reality therapy?

At the Hampshire Hypnotherapy & Counselling Centre, we utilise the power of Virtual Reality to support our clients with a range of anxiety disorders and phobias by simulating exposure to triggers using virtual reality. The technology allows you to explore your phobias at your own pace with a skilled therapist present to guide you through. The technology allows you to experience and manage the anxiety or phobia through exposure to your trigger through a headset, whilst simultaneously feeling safe and supported with your therapist by your side, training the brain to feel safe in a situation that would have previously caused anxiety.

The process includes the use of a headset, earphones and biofeedback sensors which immerse you into a virtual world that you can interact with. The simulation is designed to suit you, mirroring a real-life situation that causes you anxiety so you can explore this situation from a safe and comfortable environment at your own pace and completely controlled by you. 

Although you will be aware that the situation isn’t real, your brain cannot tell the difference between virtual reality and reality, meaning every time you calmly respond to your trigger, you are giving your brain the evidence needed to believe that you are safe in that situation. 

Exposure therapy

Virtual reality works so well in conjunction with exposure therapy because it simulates the situation or objects causing the stress but doesn’t put you at risk of any physical danger or setbacks in your treatment (e.g. motorway driving whilst experiencing panic). Exposure therapy is the most effective treatment for phobias as it works by gradually exposing you to the trigger of the fear itself in order to retrain your brain to stop sending fear signals when there is no actual danger. 

What can VR therapy help with?

• Fear of driving

• Fear of flying

• Fear of heights

• Fear of public transport

• Fear of the tube

• Fear of lifts & elevators

• Fear of small spaces

• Fear of public speaking

• Fear of dogs

• Fear of open spaces

• Fear of spiders

• Fear of needles

• Fear of darkness

• Fear of addiction

• Fear of animals

• Fear of darkness

• Social anxiety

• General anxiety

STUDIES IN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY 

In 2018, backed by the University of Oxford, Oxford VR conducted one of the largest trials on people who experience a fear of heights. In this study, 100 people who had suffered with a fear of heights for an average of 30 years were randomly allocated VR therapy or no treatment at all. All participants in the VR group showed an average of 68% reduction in their fear of heights. Half of the participants saw a reduction in their fear of over 75%. Indicating that VR therapy for phobias is an effective method of therapy which delivers a dramatic improvement. **

A 2017 review of every study involving the use of VR to asses, understand and treat mental health conditions was completed by Professor Daniel Freeman. He found that across the 25 years and 285 studies carried out, the results consistently prove virtual reality treatment delivers quick and long-lasting improvements for patients. **

*Source: NCBI study on VR Therapy

**Source: Oxford VR.