Virtual Reality… in therapy?
Virtual Reality (VR) Exposure Therapy
VRET - approaching fear and phobias in a safe, supported way.
Embracing tech in the therapy room, virtual reality offers a new, exciting, innovative evidence-based approach to therapy.
What is VR Exposure Therapy?
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is a new, innovative, evidence-based psychological therapy that uses immersive virtual reality technology to safely recreate anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled environment, such as the therapy room. This allows clients to face fears, triggers, anxieties or stressful situations gradually, with the full support of a trained therapist.
How does VR Exposure Therapy work?
Using a VR headset, clients are gently, gradually exposed to specific situations that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to recreate safely in real life. The therapist can control the level of exposure, adjust scenarios in real time, and support the client in the moment with relaxation, coping skills, and therapeutic guidance throughout the process.
The immersive nature of VR allows the brain to engage in exposure work while clients remain physically safe. Over time, repeated exposure helps reduce fear, avoidance, and emotional distress, retraining the brain’s response to anxiety-provoking situations.
What issues can VR Exposure Therapy help?
Social anxiety (public speaking, social interactions, performance anxiety)
Phobias (fear of flying, heights, animals, enclosed spaces, driving)
PTSD and trauma processing
Panic disorder and agoraphobia
Generalised anxiety
OCD (obsessive-compulsive triggers and compulsions)
Workplace anxiety (meetings, interviews, public scenarios)
ADHD & Autism (social processing, focus, and sensory regulation)
Mindfulness & relaxation, sleep support
Is VR Exposure Therapy supported by research?
Yes — a growing body of clinical research supports the effectiveness of VR-based exposure for a range of anxiety disorders:
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends graded exposure as part of treatment for phobias, PTSD, OCD, and anxiety disorders. VR simply provides a safe, controlled format to deliver exposure.
Some initial research has shown that VR exposure can be as effective as real life exposure for many phobias and anxiety conditions (Carl et al., 2019; Fodor et al., 2018).
VR allows for more precise control of scenarios, and can make exposure more accessible for clients who may struggle with real-world exposures, for example in clients with PTSD.
A new, flexible approach to evidence-based therapy.
VR Exposure Therapy brings together the best of modern technology and psychological science to help clients face fears safely, build confidence, and achieve meaningful change.
Is VRET suitable for everyone?
VRET may not be suitable for everyone, and requires an initial assessment with your therapist to ensure that it is suitable for you.
Virtual reality (VR) immersion may cause feelings of motion sickness (similar to travel sickness) in some people, particularly those who have a history of travel sickness/sea-sickness. There may be ways to prevent this motion sickness (ensuring that the VRET takes place whilst seated, with the VR imagery being ‘sedentary’).
The VR headset used can feel heavy and be uncomfortable for some, with potential allergies or contact dermatitis due to the materials which will be in direct contact with the facial skin. It will not be possible to proceed with VRET if any wounds or injuries around the head/facial area.
VR relies on people having full visual capacity without any sight/neurological issues.
VRET is not possible for people under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or taking certain medications.
Some people may feel unsafe/uncomfortable and claustrophobic with full VR immersion. It can feel vulnerable for some, not being able to see their physical surroundings whilst wearing the headset. The VRET takes place in a safe, therapeutic environment supported by a trained therapist (Lisa Berry). The VR experience can be ended instantly at any time, you are always in control of the headset and VR immersion. There is the option of ‘mixed-reality’ immersion, which means you can fully see your physical environment whilst partially immersed in the VR world, which may feel more comfortable for some people.
Immersion in the virtual dimension can feel like a detachment from the ‘real’ world, which can cause fear/panic in some people, or even dissociation.
VRET will be discontinued immediately should any instances of nausea, dissociation, or stress occur during the VRET, and support offered (including emotional therapeutic support and counselling; or space to sit quietly, rest or relax until feeling recovered. Water, tea, and snacks will be available if required. As awful as motion sickness can feel, it is not actually damaging and usually passes within a short period of time of removing the headset.
Virtual reality tailored to you.
With therapist Lisa Berry, VRET takes place in person, from a calm, peaceful therapy room in central Bury, Greater Manchester. Sessions are up to 50 minutes, but the actual VR immersion may be a few minutes and not more than 20 minutes.
The VR immersion will be tailored to your specific situation, with the whole journey involving your feedback and input, making it a truly self-immersive experience tailored to your own journey. There will be time to set up the equipment, and to debrief afterwards. There will also be space to sit and relax quietly, if needed.
VRET sessions work best in combination with counselling and CBT sessions, but a series of one-off sessions can be scheduled, please do get in touch to find out which options would be best for you.
A free initial trial-run of the equipment can be requested prior to booking any VRET sessions, to see how it feels to experience a general immersive VR experience in a therapeutic setting.
Please enquire to speak to Lisa about whether VRET is suitable for you, to ask any questions and to complete the VR-assessment form!