Workshop 10 - CANCELLED: Opening New Realities: Harnessing Virtual Reality for Innovative CBT Interventions in Anxiety Disorders

Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of CBT and has proven efficacy in treating various anxiety disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorders (1). The fundamental principle behind exposure therapy is gradual confrontation with feared stimuli or situations in a safe environment, allowing individuals to learn that their feared outcomes are unlikely or manageable. Ensuring a safe and supportive therapeutic environment is crucial (2). Research shows that Virtual Reality (VR) exposure therapy can be an effective tool for anxiety disorders (3)(4). VR can provide immersive therapeutic experiences, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for particular anxiety disorders such as social anxiety and further expanding the boundaries of traditional telehealth. Throughout this workshop, therapists will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the convergence between psychology and technology, exploring the ways in which Virtual Reality (VR) can serve as a therapeutic tool and engaging in hands-on sessions specially designed for therapists, enabling them to navigate VR scenarios replicating real-life social situations. These scenarios act as valuable tools for therapists to skillfully guide their clients through controlled and customizable exposures to social anxiety triggers. The workshop will focus firstly on delving into the clinical applications of VR in the context of social anxiety treatment, emphasizing how VR can complement traditional therapeutic methods and offer a unique avenue for exposure therapy. Secondly, it will explore the flexibility of VR technology in tailoring experiences to meet the specific needs of individual clients, providing insights into adapting and personalizing VR scenarios for targeted therapeutic interventions. Lastly, gain practical insights into seamlessly integrating VR exercises into therapeutic practice, including discussions on strategies for incorporating VR-based interventions into treatment plans for clients dealing with social anxiety. By the end of this workshop, therapists will emerge with a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of VR for exposure therapy and the practical skills to implement these interventions in their practice.

Outline:
• Therapeutic potential of VR
• VR as a tool for addressing anxiety
• Practical skills in VR technology
• Clinical applications for social anxiety
• VR complementing traditional methods (e.g., exposure therapy)
• Integrating VR into treatment plans