Advantages of Virtual Reality Virtual exposure therapy is thought be safer than traditional exposure. Why?

Unlike in vivo exposure, or natural exposure, virtual therapy is under the patients and therapists control. If things get too intense, or too overwhelming, it can be turned off. Generally, one thinks of the term information overload as being brought on by technology. In the case of mental health treatment virtual reality (VR) offers a reversal of this generality: technology can be used to limit the kinds of stimulation that would otherwise occur in the real world. The amount of stimulation, or information, is gradually introduced, until the transition to real world standards can be more smoothly absorbed. Because of the levels of control that can be maintained during VR exposure, it is thought to be safer and to provide patients with greater feelings of self-efficacy. The as if virtual scenario presents a median step between the protection of the consulting room and the threatening real life environment. Situations, errors, difficulties, and consequences can be practiced although in fact nothing happens (Botella et al., 2006). The as if qualities of VR also provide the patient with a certain sense of freedom. The VR scenario enable the patient to embody the circumstances they have always perceived as threatening, and to do so at a self set pace, and in as much time as needed. This offers the patient a safe base from which to openly explore, experience, feel, live, and relive feelings or thoughts from the past or present (Botella et al., 2006). There is nothing to prevent the client from learning to know the world and they way they interact in that world in another way. This new perspective affords the client a great sense of freedom. VR also for personal efficacy through performance achievement. VR can be geared to practically ensure the success of the client on their virtual adventure and patient can plan overcome difficulties, challenges and occasional failures. Patients can experience themselves as personally competent, able, which gives rise to a greater sense of strength and power towards interaction with the environment. It is also seems that selfefficacy, once, established, seems to generalize to other situations (Botella et al. 2006). Also, since eliciting a fear response with VR does not require patients to be exposed to real-life situations, patient confidentiality is maintained. Since patients are treated in a consulting room, there is no need to fear losing control in front of others, or to worry about someone knowing of their issue (Gregg et al., 2007). In some circumstances, in vivo exposure therapy, or real life exposure, can be complicated, impractical (ie. fear of flying), and/or potentially dangerous (ie. a driving phobia). In the case of fear of flying, real life exposure can also be extremely costly. In these circumstances VR offers a relatively cost-effective and safe alternative. Regarding post traumatic stress disorder for veterans, VR can create simulations that simply cannot be experienced in real-life, such as combat situations. VR is seen as more effective than imaginal exposure, where some patients simply cannot or will not bring to mind the images that fuel anxiety or fear (Gregg et al., 2007).

Additionally, the therapist and patient can target the specific element of a situation that arouses fear. So, in the case of post traumatic stress disorder, a veteran might be traumatized by a certain scenario, like driving over a bridge. In the virtual world, driving over bridges can be practiced as many times as necessary during therapy time. In a regular 60 minute session in the real world, perhaps a patient and therapist would only manage to cross one bridge. Also, when stimulus of fear is not known VR therapy can be used to determine the point of fear. The flexibility of the virtual environment allows the therapist to tailor sessions to meet the needs of individual clients (Wiederhold, 2005, p. 42).