VR in Therapy: Everything You Need to Know

Virtual Reality in therapy is revolutionizing the dynamics of mental health. Get insights into how VR is disrupting the mental health industry.

In our minds, virtual reality is probably associated with video games or immersive entertainment. However, the world has realized more valuable use cases for it in research, drug discovery, and other STEM fields. VR in therapy is now influencing healthcare—mental health in particular! VRT is a form of therapy that allows therapists to work with anxiety, PTSD, and phobias in controlled environments.

There is a greater need for mental health solutions because almost one-half of the world's population is employed, and 15% of working-age adults have a mental health disorder. Those challenges affect people as well as workplace productivity and morale, making mental health a top priority in businesses or organizations.

Modern technology combined with traditional therapies makes VRT a future-forward solution. It allows individuals to face fears, cope with stress, and build resilience with professional help. For leaders and decision-makers, this approach offers an opportunity to support mental health in a real, quantifiable way.

For businesses looking for digital-first innovations to scale their services, it is critical to understand the foundation of VR for therapy, its benefits, and why it's becoming an approach for mental health professionals and businesses interested in well-being.

What is VR in Therapy (VRT)? 

Virtual Reality Therapy uses computer-generated environments to treat mental health issues. However, unlike teletherapy, which is talk therapy over video calls like Zoom, VRT involves interactive virtual worlds experienced with a headset. It can be therapy, but it must involve a licensed therapist. Apps or videos for relaxation or meditation don't count as VRT because they lack professional direction.

VR in therapy in its specific form is called Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), where people experience their fear in 3D environments. For instance, someone afraid of heights may simulate a glass elevator to gradually get over their fear. VRET is also used for other phobias, PTSD, and trauma recovery.

Not all virtual reality experiences are immersive. Several versions involve interacting with therapists or support groups through virtual avatars. Considering one of the virtual reality therapy examples, a Parkinson's support group has met for more than a decade on the platform Second Life using 3D avatars. Because their real identities are kept hidden, participants feel more comfortable sharing, said Dr. Donna Davis, director of the Oregon Reality Lab.

VRT is gaining ground, but it's still rare, as few therapists have been trained to use VR in therapy. Dr. Davis suggests looking online for therapists with VRT or VRET experience or searching through databases like the Virtual Reality International database for therapists with VRT or VRET experience. More readily available VR for therapy offers a dynamic new way to support mental health.

Real-Life Use Cases That Make VR for Therapy Effective

Though VR in therapy is relatively new, early research has shown positive results indicating immense potential for a diverse real-world impact. Licensed counselor Lucy Dunning says Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has helped with PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain.

1. PTSD Treatment

Studies indicate that between 66% and 90% of success in treating PTSD with VRET in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A 2022 study published in JMIR Serious Games reported that virtual environments help patients process trauma more effectively. VRT also reduces chronic pain. For example, in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, burn victims who experienced a virtual snowy world reported 35% to 50% less pain.

2. Overcoming Phobias

Besides PTSD and pain relief, VRT has helped people overcome phobias like spider phobia and has helped with eating disorders. Most research is on VRET, but other VR therapies also show promising results. 

3. Treating Depression

In psychiatric frontiers, CBT in a VR setting may be helpful for people with depression who are hesitant to see a therapist in traditional settings. A second study in JMIR Mental Health suggests VRT as an alternative for social anxiety sufferers who find in-person therapy challenging.

4. Addiction Treatment

VR in therapy has been extremely supportive for patients and caregivers to treat addiction problems of broad categories, including craving management, relapse prevention, stress reduction, immersive change of environments, and alternative mood boosters. VR has been helpful in assisting patients to visualize and resist high-risk situations by simulating them in a safer virtual environment.

Still, more research is required, but results to date indicate that Virtual Reality Therapy might be a useful modality to treat a variety of mental health issues.

Who can Benefit from Virtual Reality Therapy?

VRT is a newer form of treatment geared toward those open to immersive, interactive experiences. It may be especially appropriate for gamers or tech-inclined people who may find the virtual environments engaging and useful during therapy. However, VR for therapy is also an option for anyone dealing with these issues.

• Phobias
• PTSD
• Social and Emotional Skills
• Anxiety and Depression
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Substance Use Disorders
• Compulsive behaviors and relationships.

When VR Therapy Might Not Be Right For You?

Some find VRT useful, but not everyone. Headaches, motion sickness, vertigo, or a history of seizures may find VR therapy difficult or uncomfortable because the motion stimulation is involved.

In addition, virtual reality therapy is effective for some mental health conditions but not always appropriate as the sole treatment. Some severe mental illnesses like extreme depression or bipolar disorder require both therapy and medication. Suicidal thoughts may not be suitable for VR therapy because therapists may have difficulty offering support in an anonymous virtual space.

What are the Benefits of Virtual Reality Therapy?

Some of the VR in therapy benefits are:

1. Safe and Controlled Environment

One of the biggest advantages of VR therapy is creating a controlled environment for patients to confront fears or triggers. In situations such as exposure therapy for phobias or PTSD, people may be in distressing situations with no actual risk. This controlled environment helps patients gradually face difficult situations and emotions with the help of a trained VR therapist.

2. Customization and Personalization

Virtual reality in healthcare enables very individualized therapeutic experiences. Virtual settings are adaptable to individual needs, such as adjusting exposure therapy intensity for phobias or modeling various social situations for someone with social anxiety. That kind of customization allows virtual reality therapy to be tailored to almost any mental health condition or individual preference.

3. Enhanced Engagement

For many, traditional therapy seems distant or disconnected. VR therapy is more engaging and interactive and may keep patients engaged in treatment. Virtual reality can make therapy seem real and immediate - and keep people focused on it.

4. Quicker, More Effective Treatment

Studies show VR therapy may produce faster results than traditional methods. For instance, virtual reality exposure therapy might quickly overcome fear by having people gradually face the object or situation of their fear. This can shorten treatment times and help patients get better faster.

5. Convenient and Accessible

Virtual reality therapy may be offered from home, allowing people to receive treatment at home. This is particularly useful for people who have trouble attending in-person sessions due to location, physical limitations, or other constraints. They also allow flexibility in scheduling therapy to help with adherence to treatment plans.

6. Effective under Various Conditions.

VR therapy can treat anxiety, depression, PTSD phobias, and social anxiety disorder. It also has applications in pain management, stress relief, and cognitive skills. Having this versatility makes it useful in mental health research.

7. Reducing stigma 

Virtual reality therapy might also help reduce the stigma associated with traditional mental health treatment. For some people, participating in therapy through VR provides anonymity and privacy. This may lead people to seek out help for their mental health without being judged.

Are There Risks Associated with Virtual Reality Therapy?

VRT has shown promise for treating mental health conditions, but not without challenges. Just like every new treatment technique, there may be risks and limits.

1. Accessibility and Technology Barriers

VRT is convenient because it can be done remotely, so people can access it when they can not go to in-person therapy locally. Access to technology, however, may limit this accessibility. People need a computer or smart device that can support the virtual environment as well as an internet connection to use VRT. 

This may be a barrier for some, particularly in underserved areas, to receiving this virtual reality treatment option. Those not comfortable with technology or lacking the technical skills needed to use VRT platforms may also have trouble using the therapy.

2. Experiencing Overwhelming or Traumatic Experiences

VRT offers controlled environments for exposure therapy and other treatments, but some experiences may be too intense without the supervision of a trained therapist. Simulations that are too vivid or emotionally charged may retraumatize a person during virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) if they involve situations related to past traumatic experiences. A therapist should moderate the session so that it doesn't worsen the patient's condition in the virtual environment.

3. Safety and Ethical Concerns

Ethical and safety questions also arise with virtual therapy. Sometimes, patients attend therapy remotely with therapists far away, across time zones or countries. That creates challenges for ensuring patient safety if something urgent happens during a session. 

Because virtual therapy is sometimes done anonymously, the therapist may also be less able to assess the immediate situation of the patient than in face-to-face therapy. The anonymity that virtual settings afford may make it harder for the therapist to intervene if the patient expresses harmful thoughts or behaviors.

4. Trained Providers are needed.

The other possible problem is the shortage of qualified professionals in the field. Since VRT is fairly new, there may be very few therapists trained to implement these virtual therapies. A lack of a qualified therapist may not maximize the benefits of VRT or, worse yet, lead to inadequate/harmful treatment.

Estimated Cost of Virtual Reality Therapy Cost for Businesses 

It's all about rethinking the business, and investment in mental health innovation is one of them. Virtual reality therapy is a good prospect, but how much will it cost? Total costs for virtual reality therapy depend on various elements such as type of technology, content creation, and therapist training.

• Initial Investment - The general price range for initial investments for the implementation of this therapy usually ranges from $5,000 to $20,000. It includes the cost of the VR headsets, software, and content creation.
• Ongoing Investment - As an ongoing cost, therapist training and support may cost an additional $1,000 to $5,000 per annum.

Perhaps, although initial cost requirements may seem substantial, by lowering the long-term costs for healthcare, this virtual reality therapy can certainly improve patient outcomes.

The Future of Virtual Reality Therapy

The potential for Virtual Reality Therapy is both exciting and promising. Experts like Dr. Davis and Dunning are optimistic that technology will improve. They think VRT in the near future will become refined, accessible, and affordable as the technology improves. 

We expect this treatment option to become more mainstream in the future with more platforms offering VRT. However, the field is growing rapidly. VRT will become more accessible as more therapists become trained and more research supports its efficacy. This field has enormous growth potential for patients and providers alike.

Conclusion

Virtual Reality Therapy is making mental health treatment immersive and interactive. Still evolving, early results promise relief from anxiety, PTSD, phobias, and chronic pain. VRT is an evolving solution for those seeking VR mental health support as technology improves. For more VR therapy tips, see a provider.

Looking to integrate Virtual Reality Therapy into your wellness offerings? Explore MobileAppDaily's list of top VR app development companies to find the right partner to build VR for mental health care. Take the next step towards transformative therapy now!