Our Specalities

Introduction:

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is an innovative form of therapy that utilizes virtual reality technology to help clients confront and manage their fears and conditions in a controlled, and safe environment. By immersing clients in a virtual world, they can face and overcome phobias or conditions such as PTSD. Additionally, VRET can be used for mindfulness exercises, for example breathing techniques with timed and guided steps.

VRET and Clinician Capabilities:

Using VRET, clinicians can leverage their expertise to help clients explore and address various phobias and PTSD scenarios. Even though the phobias / conditions are able to be accessed by all clinicians, only clinicians with prior training and experience in a certain conditions / phobias, will use and guide patients through that condition or phobia. 

Here is a list of conditions that VRET can address:

Phobias: 21 Scenarios

 PTSD: 24 Scenarios

Steps:

Initially when the client comes into the session for VRET, the clinician will ask questions to try get a understanding of the clients symptoms, fears, conditions, past experiences (why they may have or feel the fear or condition) and wants from the VRET treatment. After this the client will be familiarised with the VRET technology, how the headset works, safety procedures, the controllers and the next steps such as, what will happen when a button is pressed. With the clinicians help the client will walk through what scenario may be beneficial. Throughout the session the clinician will be able to see exactly what the client sees, guiding them through all the exercises, as well as soon being able to control the clients VR experience from the comfort of a laptop. This allows the patient to be able to focus on what’s important.

Explanation:

Experience Selection:

• Clients and clinicians choose scenarios from a wide range of interactive environments.
• Clients can interact with the virtual world using controllers or physical movements depending on what kind of scenario they initially pick.

Techniques:

• The REBT method is used for anger management triggers, allowing clients to navigate virtual environments and face specific triggers.
• Addictions such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and food consumption are addressed by placing clients in peer pressure scenarios.

Safe Place AI:

• Clients can create a "Safe Space" by inputting prompts Aswell as adjectives for a more vivid experience and selecting scenarios, such as being next to their Favorite car or in the Milky Way Galaxy. Examples are shown below with types of scenarios as well as prompts.

            The possibilities with this kind of technology and the application uses it brings to the health and wellbeing world creates new opportunity’s that haven’t been seen before. Being able to push into worrying situations for the client, but in a healthy and safe environment allows much needed growth but in a secure way. 

Disclaimer: 

These photos, products and applications talked about are not property of Insight Clinic Mental Health Services. We have no relation to the creation, nor do we claim we have any part in the physical ownership of the products, applications and photos. 

References:

Psytech (Software): https://www.psytechvr.com/

Meta Quest 2 (VR Headset): https://www.meta.com/au/

Hand Physics Lab (Software): https://www.holonautic.com/hand-physics-lab