exposure therapy with virtual reality
Virtual Reality
Graded Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy with virtual and augmented reality is occasionally applied in the context of an integrated cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy programme in our clinic.
What is virtual and augmented reality therapy?
It is a rapid method of desensitising the mental state triggered by specific real-life situations through safe and gradual exposure to similar, controlled virtual reality and augmented reality environments.
- Our clinic conducts original scientific research on treatments that utilize gradual exposure through virtual reality.
- We use our own in-house produced virtual reality materials, specifically tailored for our patients in Greece.
- To create our materials, we record real environments in Athens and other locations using 3D, 360-degree, high-resolution technology to deliver a highly immersive and realistic experience.
- We implement gradual exposure therapy for our patients using our proprietary material, employing a special algorithm and facilitating discussions about triggered thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and safety behaviors. The treatment is grounded in the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.
Who is it for?
We use this method as adjunct in the treatment of selected cases:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Social phobia
- Agoraphobia
- Panic Attack Disorder
And as an exclusive treatment in cases such as:
- Specific phobias (zoophobia and insectophobia, phobia of blood sampling and other medical examinations, phobia of weather phenomena, earthquake phobia, claustrophobia, car phobia, aerophobia, roof phobia and acrophobia, etc.)
- Stage fright, linguophobia, public speaking or performance phobia
The sessions take place in a specially designed room of our clinic.
The exact composition of the treatment and its duration is decided by the doctor following examination. The method is not suitable for patients with:
- A history of epilepsy (idiopathic and hereditary or secondary to head injuries, tumors, etc.)
- History of paroxysmal vertigo
- History of cybersickness (known as nausea after watching digital content or using other simulation applications)
What does it include?
Treatment begins with your doctor taking your medical and mental health history. The doctor plans the treatment with you. It includes:
- Laboratory Tests
- Exposure sessions, weekly or biweekly, in selected virtual reality environments
- Biometric and psychometric recordings during sessions
- Exercises for home or outside
- Action plan to maintain the outcome and prevent relapses
The exposure sessions, biometric and psychometric recordings are applied by our specialized staff in our clinic.
Efficiency
International scientific research supports and documents the effectiveness and safety of this method in treating an expanding range of clinical diagnoses.
Its application in selected cases, either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to another treatment, can yield substantial results that significantly improve your quality of life in a short period.
