Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: Bringing ‘in vivo’ Into the Office

Abstract

Exposure is a critical element in the successful treatment of phobias and anxiety disorders. Virtual reality offers the most efficient means of providing exposure in such treatment. Virtual reality exposure permits controlled, individualized, and repeatable exposure that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Research and meta-analyses have demonstrated that virtual reality exposure therapy is effective and that the effects transfer to the real world and are maintained. The use of virtual reality (VR) in psychotherapy is often called Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) or Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET). Citation: McMahon, E. (2017) Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: Bringing 'in vivo' into the office. Journal of Health Service Psychology, (Spring), 43, 46-49.