VR Exposure Therapy for Anxiety
In-person in philadelphia, PA & online
Empowering you to face your fears with confidence.
You don’t need to live like this.
Maybe your fear has begun to shrink your world by avoiding events, taking detours, or relying on others to handle situations that once felt easy. You’ve probably told yourself, “It’s not a big deal,” but part of you still misses the freedom you used to have. VR Exposure Therapy can help you face those fears and reclaim your confidence safely, gradually, and with support every step of the way. I don’t always use VR when treating anxiety, but it’s something that you and I can discuss and decide together whether it’s a good fit for you.
What is VR Exposure Therapy?
Exposure therapy for anxiety is a scientifically supported approach that helps people overcome their fears by practicing being in the feared situations and learning new coping skills with confidence. VR is an excellent tool for this type of therapy because it allows you to visualize your feared situations and work through them right in the therapy office with your therapist’s guidance. Wearing the VR headset, it can feel like you’re there, standing in front of a room before a presentation or calmly riding an elevator to the top floor. But in reality, you’re still in the safety of the therapy room, learning that you can manage the moment with confidence. Together, we’ll begin by identifying the specific situations that trigger your fear. I’ll teach you simple, proven techniques to relax your body and quiet your anxious thoughts. Then, step-by-step, we’ll use VR to help you face those situations in a manageable and safe way. You’ll never be asked to do anything before you’re ready, and I’ll support you through each practice.
By the end of therapy, most people realize that what once seemed impossible now feels surprisingly doable. It’s not just about eliminating fear; it’s about gaining freedom, whether that means reconnecting with family across the country, speaking up at work, or simply feeling comfortable in your own skin again. VR Exposure Therapy can help you get there.
“Little by little, I started to realize I wasn’t afraid anymore.”
What to Expect from VR Exposure Therapy
Although the number of sessions can vary, VR Exposure Therapy often includes an intake session, 1-2 sessions on goal setting and identifying specific fears, 1-2 sessions strengthening your coping skills, 8-10 exposure sessions, and a wrap-up session. The intake is an interview discussing your symptoms and your history. In the goal-setting and fear identification sessions, we make a detailed list of the situations that increase your fear and that you avoid. Then we practice some coping skills, such as breathing and positive self-talk, to help you feel confident. Then, we move on to the exposure sessions where you practice facing your fears. Some of these practices will use VR to help you imagine the situations and feel like you’re there. You may also practice in real-life situations, either during our sessions or at home between them. Once you feel confident that you can face your fears, we review the changes you made and how you can continue to practice them in the future.
What you’ll gain:
Let go of your fears
Stop avoiding situations
Enjoy what you love most in life
Find freedom from your fears.
And embrace the joy in your life, one step at a time.
FAQS
Common questions about VR Exposure Therapy
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Yes, we can use a VR headset in my office.
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Yes, the therapy is exposure therapy, and it is an evidence-based cognitive-behavior therapy for anxiety supported by decades of research. VR is a tool for helping you engage in exposure therapy by using your imagination. Numerous studies support the use of VR to enhance the effectiveness of exposure therapy.
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Very likely. The VR software covers a wide range of common fears, from flying and public speaking to driving, heights, and more. We can even tailor the scenarios to match your unique worries. Let’s talk about what’s been hardest for you and see how we can approach it together.