Approach that feels safe

 

According to Statistics Canada, 12% of the Canadian population suffers from an anxiety disorder at some point and this seriously reduces their quality of life (e.g. personal, family, professional, social, economic, etc.). Two thirds of these persons delay getting psychological help. Certain scientific studies have shown that people seem to be more attracted to virtual reality therapy to treat phobias than to traditional methods, especially because it feels safe, controlled and less confrontational. In fact, the psychologist is able to control certain situations that are usually unexpected (e.g. spider’s behavior, climate, turbulence during an airplane flight, audience reaction during an oral presentation, etc.).

 

Flexible and accessible

Knowing that anxious persons must sooner or later gradually confront their fears in order to eliminate the symptoms of anxiety, virtual reality is a way to artificially recreate situations that are difficult to access, all in the comfort of the psychologist’s office. Consider, for example, the fear of heights, where psychologist and client need to go to very high places, or the fear of flying. Clients learn to master their anxiety, develop their confidence and change how they see the situation that frightens them, all in controlled, safe environments. Virtual reality also allows the client to repeat certain steps of the therapy (e.g. airplane take-off or taking the elevator) as often as needed.

 

Confidentiality

 

Sometimes it can be very embarrassing to be afraid in front of others. Virtual reality allows the psychologist to artificially recreate all sorts of situations, enabling people to learn to control their anxiety without having to go out in public. Consider, for example, people suffering from agoraphobia, who have to go to the shopping centre with their psychologist to tame their fears, or when the psychologist has to bring a group together to practice public speaking.

 

Reduction of the cost of therapy

 

Certain types of psychotherapy, such as those for fear of flying or of driving, may become even more expensive when the client has to buy airplane tickets to have a chance to tame the fact of traveling. Virtual reality lets the therapist recreate these situations with a few clicks on the keyboard. Cliniques & Développement In Virtuo offers effective short-term treatments and whose services are covered by most insurance companies.