Virtual Reality Therapy



Virtual Reality Therapy

Introduction

Virtual Reality Therapy is the method of therapy that utilizes technology, specifically computers and visual devices for the purpose of allowing the subject involved to experience situations and scenarios that have been recreated and presented to them. These scenarios represent negative feelings and emotions that are manifesting into other unwanted behaviors and or adversely affecting their lives. The process involves the therapist observing the reactions of the subject to the experience and engaging in appropriate counseling to resolve the conflicts or problems thereby addressing and remedying the unwanted behavior. These unwanted behaviors may involve but are not limited to claustrophobia, addiction, PTSD, fear of heights, and public speaking. Each subject will face different issues and with most things in life, one size does not fit all as is the case here in utilizing Virtual Reality Therapy effectively (Smith, 1999).

Each patient has different issues; tolerance levels, fears, and the ability face them. The therapist must have the expertise necessary to be able to read the patient, proceeding only at a rate that the patient is able to sustain without feeling overwhelmed and possibly retreating from the therapy. This method of treatment can provide both the subject and the therapist with incredible insight. The therapist can observe the subjects reactions throughout the session noting any differences or intensity levels they may be experiencing as well as if any particular occurrence may bear any special significance.

This observation allows the therapist to address specific observations with the objective of gaining more precise feedback from the subject. The objective of this approach is that the subject experiences the situation and relives it emotionally as a result of the technology used. After experiencing the Virtual Reality, the subject has the experience fresh in their mind and is able to reconnect with feelings that they may have otherwise forgotten or repressed. An additional benefit to utilizing this technology is that the therapist can modify the session by focusing on a particularly problematic area as well as the ability to moderate the speed at which the experience is delivered to the subject. Observed nonverbal responses can be monitored and measured and it prevents the subject from willfully omitting or hiding a key element that may provide the therapist with important information (Kooper, Opdyke and Williford, 1995).

Discussion

Understanding the Idea

Virtual Reality Therapy tends to be considered as one of the most advance method to allow the person experience what he or she may not be able to experience in the real life. Yes, it does take the support of the technological advancements to do but the nature of the growth technology has shown in the past it is essential; that there help is attained. Many experts tend to be of the view that in order to cure a person mentally or cognitively it is important that he or she is bale to perceive him or herself without the existence of that disease or fear and other similar factors. With the presence of the Virtual ...