Virtual therapy for kids

Virtual Therapy for Kids

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(Effective for Ages 3-18)

“TELETHERAPY, BUT FUN!”

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

growth mindset,

coping skills,

goal setting,

social skills,

self-confidence

VIRTUAL PLAY THERAPY

video games (ROBLOX, MINECRAFT, FORTNITE, OCULUS VR, CALL OF DUTY, plus more)

arts and crafts,

music,

legos,

dogs, cats, and dinosaurs,

plus more!

VIRTUAL THERAPY FOR KIDS

Our goal is to build support and connect with your child or adolescent through their own unique interests and hobbies, such as through online gaming, arts and crafts, pets, plus more.

And if your child prefers to just talk that’s also fun and great! More details below!

JOSEPH CONLON, LCSW, FOUNDER, THERAPIST, Lic. 090229

Contact

Hi, I’m Joe! My interests include sports, video games, music, gardening, my pets, and art. I have used my years of experience as a social worker and child therapist to develop Virtual Therapy for Kids and a team that uses evidence-based cognitive behavioral and play therapy techniques to help families and kids across New York state.

I have brought my professional experience with me into the virtual world, where I find this new generation of kids even more expressive and connected on iPhones and laptops than in my old office. Perhaps it is because I am on now on their terrain in Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite

MARY HIND, LMSW, THERAPIST, Lic. 109716

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Hi, I’m Mary! I specialize in helping children and adolescents who are faced with anxiety, depression, and trauma - to adopt the necessary skills and utilize them to convey a more diverse emotional vocabulary, better express themselves, and healthily cope.

As your therapist, I want to create a safe space by building a strong rapport and providing an eclectic and creative approach to meet your distinct needs. My goal when working with my clients is to grow together to create resilience and self-determination by navigating any internal struggle.

KEEYSE APARICIO MORALES, MHC, THERAPIST

Contact

Hi, I’m Keeyse! My interests include game nights with my family, trail walks, working out, and arts and crafts.

As a bilingual therapist, I also provide services in Spanish.

My mission is to create a therapeutic alliance with the youth to promote resilience, autonomy, and self-awareness. I incorporate cognitive behavioral and child-centered play therapeutic interventions to facilitate positive change.

I graduated for Hunter’s Mental Health Counseling Program in 2022. I have experience working with children and adolescents within a school, home, and clinical setting.

What to expect during the initial consultation.

Once we reserve a convenient time for you, our therapists will give you a call at the requested time to review with the parents or guardians about their concerns and goals and coordinate a treatment plan.

Then while on the call, we will schedule the best time for us to video call your child and family for their first meeting!

Reserve time with our licensed mental health professionals by hitting the button below.

Therapy and Consultation rates starting at $50

(National average for therapy is over $100!)

Follow us @virtualtherapyforkids on Instagram and Facebook!

10 Best Online Kids Therapy Programs

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Key signs that it’s a good idea to enroll a child in counseling include:

changes in behavior
loss of interest in school, hobbies, friends, etc.
changes in sleeping patterns
changes in appetite
increased irritability, sensitivity, and feelings of being overwhelmed
lack of self-esteem
isolation from family or social activities
big life changes
witnessing a traumatic event
giving away their prized or personal possessions

“If there’s any mention of [suicidal thoughts], or if you notice dangerous behaviors, it’s important to get help quickly,” notes Virginia Williamson, LMFT, a licensed therapist. “Most parents can feel when there’s a shift that just doesn’t seem like their child.”

Counseling can also be helpful if your child has recently undergone a big life change, such as moving to a new state or being affected by divorce. Speaking with a therapist can help children learn to identify, communicate and manage emotions in a healthy way. If your child has witnessed something traumatic, this may call for counseling, too.

If your child is not in immediate danger, but their behaviors or emotions seem “off,” monitor them closely over the coming weeks and months. Make a plan for when you will take action if your child doesn’t seem to improve.

Keep in mind

Online counseling isn’t a substitute for urgent or emergency services.

In the event of a mental health emergency — if your child is thinking about harming themselves or someone else — you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

You can also call 911 for mental health emergencies.

However, it’s important not to wait for a crisis to occur before seeking out counseling for your child.

Some parents seek counseling for their child as a preventative measure, or as an additional support for difficult emotions or behaviors.

A child therapist can have a degree in counseling, social work, family counseling, psychology, or medicine.

Before beginning treatment, it’s important to make sure the therapist is licensed in their field and has experience working with and treating children.

Counseling for children may employ techniques such as:

play therapy
CBT
expressive therapies, like art
psychodynamic psychotherapy, a long-term approach to mental health treatment
mindfulness tools

CBT for kids

CBT looks a little different for everyone, but generally uses many of the same techniques and concepts. These can assist in:

recognizing how problems can be made worse by unhelpful thinking
learning to better understand the thinking and motivations of others
learning new problem-solving and coping skills
gaining confidence and self-worth
learning how to face fears and challenges
building calming techniques when faced with potentially challenging situations

Play therapy is frequently used when working with children, as play is how children learn, grow, and express themselves. Play therapists can be both directive and nondirective, and aim to support children in expressing themselves, building coping skills, and more.

The goal of counseling for children is to identify the cause of certain symptoms and behaviors and help the child develop the skills they need to cope with difficult situations and feelings.

Here are our top 10 picks for online counseling programs for kids.

We considered many criteria when choosing the best online counseling programs for kids, including:

Licensure. All the mental health professionals affiliated with each program are licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, or counselors.
Accessibility. Some of these programs accept health insurance, and most are at a lower cost than in-person treatment. The programs here also feature easy sign-up processes.
Reputation. We chose programs with positive customer feedback and reviews.

Offerings. These counseling programs offer a wide range of services for anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating disorders, stress, bullying, anger, and more.

Best overall

Synergy eTherapy

Synergy eTherapy offers online counseling in multiple states. Licensed therapists offer free consultations so you can make sure it’s a good fit.

Sessions are available by phone or video. All information shared is confidential. Evening and weekend options are also available for scheduling sessions.

Synergy eTherapy is also able to prescribe psychiatric medication in certain states.

Price: The cost of sessions with Synergy eTherapy varies based on the therapist you choose. For a typical 45- to 50-minute session, the cost ranges from $100 to $200.

Coverage: Some Synergy therapists are in network with insurance providers. Others are private pay only and set their own out-of-pocket rates.

Pros

free consultation
evening and weekend sessions available
psychiatry

Cons

only available in some states
not all services are in network

Get started with Synergy eTherapy

Best for teens

TeenCounseling

TeenCounseling is an online counseling platform for teens ages 13 to 19. The platform is part of BetterHelp.

More than 16,000 licensed therapists are available for affordable, discreet, and professional counseling services via computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Therapists can help teens cope with issues like anxiety, stress, self-esteem, depression, bullying, anger, eating disorders, and other challenges.

Teens can communicate with their counselor through a dedicated virtual counseling room, which is private and secure. Communication methods include messaging, live chat, phone calls, and video chat.

Price: Pricing ranges from $60 to $90 per week, billed every 4 weeks. Costs depend on your location, preferences, and therapist availability. While this is a monthly membership, you can cancel at any time.

Coverage: TeenCounseling services are usually not covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. However, coverage and benefits for counseling services vary from one insurance company to another. It’s important to take a closer look at your benefits.

Pros

multiple communication methods available
can cancel membership anytime
clients can message their counselors at any time

Cons

usually not covered by insurance
users can’t choose their therapists
therapists cannot diagnose users
psychiatry not available

Get started with TeenCounseling

Best app-based service

Talkspace

Talkspace is one of the most well known online counseling platforms. They’re highly rated and have been used by more than 1 million people.

Users can communicate with their counselors through text-based messages, video chats, or audio calls.

Teens ages 13 to 17 can get specialized counseling on Talkspace through Talkspace for Teens by signing up through the iOS or Android app.

All teen counselors on the app are licensed and have experience working with adolescents.

Price: $260, billed monthly. This includes text, video, and audio communication.

Coverage: Talkspace accepts health insurance. See their full partner list to determine if your employer or health insurance provider covers mental health services through Talkspace.

Pros

easy access to therapists
accepts health insurance

Cons

pricey

Get started with Talkspace

Best for younger children

Amwell

While most online counseling programs have a minimum age requirement of 13, Amwell provides counseling for children 10 years and older.

Amwell offers a variety of telemedicine services, including telemental health.

Teens and young adolescents can speak with their therapist face-to-face using the Amwell app or website. Sessions usually last about 45 minutes and can be scheduled during weekends, holidays, and evenings.

Amwell has a network of more than 350 licensed psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals.

Price: Visits range from $99 to $110, depending on the experience and credentials of the therapist. If your visit is covered by your employer or health insurance company, the cost of your copay may be lower.

Coverage: Some health insurance providers cover Amwell visits. During the sign-up process, you can check your eligibility.

Pros

accepts some health insurance providers
psychiatrists are available to prescribe medication
weekend, holiday, and evening sessions are available

Cons

no subscription payment plans
video sessions only

Get started with Amwell

Best for psychiatry

MDLIVE

MDLIVE is a telemedicine service for non-emergency medical, mental health, and dermatological conditions.

Unlike some online counseling platforms, MDLIVE has psychiatrists who can prescribe medication when needed. Parents must provide consent for children 10 years and older to be seen by a therapist or psychiatrist.

This platform may be worth considering for counseling and psychiatry visits as needed. MDLIVE is not a subscription-based service, so signing up is free, and they’ll only charge you when you schedule a visit.

Price: Talk therapy costs up to $108 per visit. Psychiatry appointments are $284 for initial visits and $108 for follow-up appointments.

Coverage: MDLIVE accepts health insurance, which can lower some or all of the cost.

Pros

can prescribe medication to treat mental health symptoms
accepts health insurance
choose your own therapist or psychiatrist
request an appointment at any time

Cons

therapist availability is often limited
psychiatrists cannot prescribe certain psychiatric medications

Get started with MDLIVE

Best for choosing your child’s therapist

Doctor on Demand

If you prefer to choose your child’s therapist instead of being matched with one, check out Doctor on Demand.

On average, the licensed psychiatrists and therapists in their network have 15 years of experience.

Communication methods are more limited than other platforms. Doctor on Demand uses live video calls for their sessions.

If you need help determining if counseling might be helpful for your child, Doctor on Demand offers a free mental health assessment.

Price: Counseling visits cost between $129 and $179, depending on the length of the visit. Psychiatry appointments are $299 for the initial consultation and $129 for follow-up appointments.

Coverage: Doctor on Demand is covered by some employers and health insurance plans. Add your insurance during registration to see if your health plan supports Doctor on Demand telehealth visits.

Pros

covered by some employers and health insurance plans
choose your own therapist

Cons

therapists may be limited in your area

Get started with Doctor on Demand

Best cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for teens

Online-Therapy.

com

With the written consent of a parent or guardian, teens can seek remote CBT on Online-Therapy.com.

The site offers more than just a chat box or digital chat room for teens who want a more complete toolbox. In addition to counseling sessions and multiple communication methods, counseling can include yoga, worksheets, journaling, and more.

The site is not geared toward young children, but adolescents can join with parental permission.

This service may be suitable for mental health conditions treatable with CBT, such as depression and anxiety.

Price: The platform is subscription-based, starting at $39.95 per week. Plans that include counseling sessions cost up to $79.95 per week.

Coverage: This service does not accept health insurance.

Pros

multiple communication methods available
offers additional mindfulness-based activities

Cons

does not accept health insurance
does not prescribe medication

Get started with Online-Therapy. com

Best affordable service

7 Cups

7 Cups is an online resource available to people who are looking for someone to speak with for support. Teens ages 13 to 17 can chat with volunteers who are specifically trained to speak with teens at no cost.

7 Cups also offers free chat rooms exclusively for teens who are seeking other young adolescents to speak with.

In addition to speaking with an unlicensed trained volunteers for free, 7 Cups offers a paid membership where teens ages 18 or 19 can speak with a licensed therapist on a regular basis.

Teens can send as many messages as they would like to their therapist. Messaging uses a professional and confidential mode of communication that’s compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Price: Chatting online with trained volunteers is free, anonymous, and available 24/7. Ongoing support from a licensed therapist is available for $150 per month.

Coverage: 7 Cups does not accept private insurance.

Pros

therapists respond within 24 hours
chatting online with volunteers is free

Cons

does not accept private insurance
no psychiatry

Get started with 7 Cups

Best for family counseling

Rethink My Therapy

Looking for therapy sessions for the whole family? Rethink My Therapy offers both family counseling and individual treatment for kids.

You can search through the thousands of therapists and psychiatrists on the platform to find one that’s right for your child. The platform supports video calls, phone calls, and secure messaging.

Many therapists have availability on evenings and weekends.

Price: After a 7-day free trial, counseling starts at $99 per month. The family/children program costs $159 per month.

Coverage: Rethink My Therapy does not accept insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.

Pros

choose your own therapist
book a family therapy session or let your child speak with a therapist one-on-one
evening and weekend sessions available
psychiatry is available

Cons

does not accept insurance

Get started with Rethink My Therapy

Best for diversity

Thriveworks

Thriveworks is known for the wide array of licensed therapists they offer. You can select from therapists who have a variety of different backgrounds, including CBT, mindfulness approaches, and other methods. Choose a therapist who speaks your native language, or select a different type of mental health professional, like a psychiatrist or life coach.

Thriveworks provides online counseling for kids via video or phone. Same- and next-day sessions are both available.

Price: If you’re not using insurance, you can expect to pay between $65 and $140 per session. Prices vary by insurance provider. The enrollment fee for all clients costs $39.

Coverage: Thriveworks is in network with most insurance plans.

Pros

accepts insurance and has more affordable pricing
same- and next-day sessions available
choose your own therapist

Cons

mixed reviews
some clients report issues with payments

Get started with Thriveworks

Kids pretty much live on their electronic devices, so seeing a therapist online may feel more natural for your child than it may for many adults.

Speaking with a person through a screen may feel safer than speaking with someone face to face. This feeling of safety may help your child to speak about embarrassing or tough issues. At home, your child can even hug their favorite pillow, or have their pet close by during sessions.

Your child may feel more at ease at home then they will in a therapist’s office. This may enable them to speak freely, or to open up readily. For this to occur, it’s important to give your child privacy and space during counseling sessions.

Online therapy may be beneficial for your child’s counselor as well, since it gives them the opportunity to see your child in familiar surroundings.

Between school, after-school programs, and socializing, scheduling is often an issue for kids. Since it doesn’t require transportation, working with an online counselor alleviates the scheduling burden.

Child therapists are trained to treat many of the same conditions that adults see therapists for. They are also uniquely positioned to address issues specific to children and teens. Conditions and behaviors child therapists treat include:

depression
anxiety
stress
isolation and loneliness
bullying
hypochondria
aggression
obsessive compulsive disorder
chronic pain management
grief
chronic illness management
relationship issues, including those with parents and siblings
coping with school, including school refusal, and relationship issues with teachers and classmates
gender identity
trauma, including PTSD
abuse, including sexual abuse
eating disorders
self-injury
ADHD

The tools your child’s therapist uses will vary, based on your child’s age and the type of therapy being used. In some instances, they may wish to include you in some sessions. This is beneficial for you as well as your child, since the therapist can coach you in your interactions with each other.

A good therapist asks questions and listens to the answers. They may encourage your child to talk about what’s bothering them. They may also place strong focus on praising your child, to validate their feelings and build up self-esteem.

In some instances, your child’s therapist may suggest activities to do between sessions, such as keeping a journal, or drawing.

Some therapists, such as cognitive behavioral therapists, may work with your child to master coping skills such as mindfulness meditation or deep breathing. These are beneficial for helping your child feel and stay calm.

There’s no cookie-cutter formula that can be used to determine how long your child should stay in therapy. The issues at hand, as well as you and your child’s goals for therapy, will play a role.

Therapeutic changes that lead to happier lives and better behaviors take patience and time. Usually, a therapist will recommend seeing your child once a week for sessions. These may last for several months or longer. In some instances, sessions may be stretched out to once every two weeks.

Very young children often benefit most from play therapy techniques, such as child-centered play therapy. Play therapy uses carefully selected toys, games, and other play-centric props to help children work out emotional issues.

Older children may benefit from many therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and child-parent relationship therapy.

Therapy service	Do they accept health insurance?	Outreach options	Can they write prescriptions?
Synergy eTherapy	Some therapists in the network accept health insurance, others don’t	Phone and video	In some states
TeenCounselling	Usually not covered by insurance, check your plan	Messaging, chat, phone and video	No
Talk Space	Yes, most plans	Texts, video and phone	Yes
Amwell	Some plans are accepted	Video through the app or website	Yes
MD Live	Yes, most plans	Video through the app or website	Yes
Doctor on Demand	Accepts most plans	Live video sessions	Yes
Online-Therapy. com	No	Live video sessions, messages, in-app worksheets	No
7 Cups	No	Chat rooms and one-on-one chats with volunteers or therapists, messaging	No
Rethink My Therapy	No	Video, phone, secure messaging	Yes
Thriveworks	Yes, most plans	In person and online sessions, texing	Yes

Finding the right therapist for your child can be challenging. It’s vital to choose a licensed and seasoned professional who has experience working with your child’s age group. Based on your child’s age, you may request an interview with the therapist, prior to committing to therapy.

Questions to ask include:

Do you have knowledge or an understanding of my child’s cultural background?
What is your approach to therapy?
What are reasonable goals to expect from therapy?
What is your professional background and therapeutic experience?
How long do you anticipate that my child may need therapy?
Can or should I participate in any sessions?
Do you have availability?
Do you take my insurance?
If not, do you accept patients on a sliding scale?

Does insurance cover online counseling?

Insurance may cover some online counseling services. To check eligibility, contact your health insurance company.

Many online counseling programs for kids have a range of payment options, including health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket payments.

What type of therapy works best for children?

Children’s therapeutic needs vary. However, child-centered therapy is often considered one of the best types of therapy for children. This type of therapy uses a carefully-orchestrated play environment for children to interact with.

How do I know if my toddler needs therapy?

Since toddlers can’t always tell you about traumatic incidents or their needs, it’s important to stay attuned to signs indicating that therapy may be needed. These include regressive behaviors for toilet-trained children, such as bed wetting.

Constant or unusual fits of temper or anger may also be a clue.

If your child suddenly becomes clingy, fearful, or anxious, or displays separation anxiety, they may have experienced trauma and need support.

Regressive use of language, such as reverting back to baby talk, may also indicate need.

Can parents be involved in treatment?

If you’re a parent, you can have various levels of involvement in your child’s mental health treatment. Whether you’re present during sessions depends on a number of factors, such as the age of your child and what issues they’re working on in treatment.

Regardless of whether you sit in on sessions, communicate regularly with the counselor and monitor your child closely between sessions. Share anything you feel is important with your child’s counselor.

Can a minor sign up without parental consent?

In many states, minors cannot consent to mental health treatment without permission from a parent.

In some states, such as California and New York, minors of a certain age may obtain counseling without parental consent provided they understand the nature and consequences of the treatment.

Before getting started with counseling, research your specific state laws about minors receiving mental health treatment.

Is the information shared confidential?

Yes, patient confidentiality and HIPAA laws apply to online counseling programs for children.

However, some modes of communication, such as Zoom or FaceTime, may not provide a secure or private connection. It’s important to make sure you’re using a HIPAA-compliant platform for your child’s online counseling.

In certain situations, confidentiality is limited. In some states, parents may access their child’s records. This may vary by state law. Therapists may work with parents to develop ground rules for maintaining a child’s privacy.

When it comes to mandated reporting, counselors and other mental health professionals must report the abuse of minor children to appropriate authorities, regardless of who is the alleged perpetrator. Counselors are also mandated to report if a minor expresses intention to harm themselves or someone else.

Is online counseling right for all kids?

While online counseling is a great choice for many children, it is not a suitable option for everyone. Some kids respond better to an in-person treatment environment.

“For some kids, online therapy can be too much,” says Katherine M. Hayes, LCPC, a licensed clinical counselor who specializes in treating children and adolescents.

“If it’s hard for the child to engage in a session online, this would be something to discuss with the child and parent,” Hayes says. “Creative solutions can still be used online, such as art and games.”

Most websites outline who is best suited for telemental health. Additionally, online counseling is not recommended for children or teens who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, or serious behavioral or mental health conditions.

Online counseling can be an accessible and more affordable way to receive counseling for your child or teen.

Depending on your child’s needs, online counseling programs for kids can be a convenient alternative to mental health treatment in person.

Lacey Bourassa is a health, wellness, and beauty writer based in Southern California. She holds a BA in English. Her work has appeared in digital publications like Livestrong, Verywell, Business Insider, Eat This Not That, and others. When she’s not writing, Lacey is likely pursuing her other interests: skin care, plant-based cooking, pilates, and traveling. You can keep up with her by visiting her website or her blog.

How virtual reality helps children endure pain

Friendly dolphins, sea turtles and tropical fish swim up to the shipwreck. In this calm marine ecosystem, there is not a hint of scary sharks.

Children enter this world when they put on KindVR VR glasses. Using the controller, they can explore underwater ruins, blow colorful bubbles, or watch marine animals while listening to soothing music. This device helps children endure severe pain and unpleasant medical procedures. nine0003

Virtual reality has been used in medicine for several years now, mainly to distract fire victims from their terrible pain. But as the cost of VR glasses has plummeted, more hospitals can afford to test the new technology to help young patients. The goal is to reduce the need for opioids for children.

Patients focus on something else during an invasive test or medical procedure and are distracted from discomfort. Research has shown that distractions—like watching cartoons or music—help children and teens cope with pain, especially if the procedures involve needles. nine0003

Researchers believe that virtual reality is particularly effective because it is more immersive than other media such as music or television. “I think of it as a bandwidth issue. Your brain has to process the sensation of pain, and if we can fill it with other more comfortable sensations, it will be distracted from the unpleasant ones, ”explains KindVR founder Simon Robertson.

Photo: KindVR

KindVR therapies are used in more than 20 pediatric hospitals in the US and Canada, and Robertson has developed five different programs for different purposes. The first is meditation, which helps children cope with chronic pain and stress by teaching them breathing exercises. Another program, KindVR Aqua, is used to treat acute pain that comes on suddenly and lasts for a short period of time. Unlike regular video games, there are no scary images, time limits, or missions. On the contrary, the purpose of the software is to minimize sudden movements and help children relax. nine0003

Another KindVR project introduces kids to a virtual MRI machine so they know what to expect before their procedure. The company hopes that when it comes to MRIs, kids won't be afraid to get into cars.

KindVR Aqua is also used to help children with sickle cell anemia. This is a genetic disease that leads to the deformation of red blood cells. In healthy people, red blood cells are shaped like small discs that move freely through the circulatory system. But the cells of a person with sickle cell anemia are crescent-shaped and become hard and sticky. Because of this, they cannot easily move through the circulatory system and get stuck in the vessels, clog the bloodstream and cause severe pain and other complications that can lead to death. nine0003

These outbreaks of pain can last for hours, days or even weeks. Mild pain can be tolerated with heating pads, warm baths, and massages. But for acute, long-term pain, doctors prescribe opioids like morphine, methadone, and fentanyl—even for very young children. As a result, “Children are treated with opioids at an early age, and in the future they become very tolerant of them,” explains hematologist Latika Puri.

Puri and colleagues are exploring whether VR therapy can relieve pain in these patients. Their study will involve 70 children with sickle cell anemia, half of whom will receive standard care, which includes opioids, the other half will receive standard care plus fifteen-minute sessions of KindVR VR therapy. They want to see if virtual memory can reduce pain and free patients from the need to take opioid painkillers. nine0003

Photo: KindVR

While virtual reality won't completely replace painkillers, it will make hospital stays and medical procedures less traumatic for young patients - just as importantly, children with chronic pain can develop long-term psychological problems, such as like anxiety and depression.

Researchers at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital are the first to test whether it is practical to use VR therapy on children who often get sick. Patients answered questions about their well-being before and after the experiment with virtual reality. The results showed that there were no negative side effects. nine0003

“Feedback from patients has been almost universally positive. The children liked it and asked to repeat the procedure next time,” says hematologist and oncologist Anna Marsh.

While virtual reality alone won't solve the opioid epidemic, it can help reduce pain medication prescriptions and overcome childhood discomfort and fear of hospitalization. “I saw how children's emotions changed after therapy,” Robertson recalls. There was nothing virtual about it. nine0003

Source.

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VR psychotherapy, virtual reality therapy in St. Petersburg

During psychotherapy, some frightening situations are difficult to reproduce in reality. In this case, virtual reality comes to the rescue, which allows a person to face their fears and situations that provoke them in a safe and comfortable environment. The use of digital technologies is one of the progressive areas of modern psychotherapy with proven effectiveness. nine0003

What is Virtual Reality (VR) Psychotherapy?

VR therapy is the immersion of a person in a certain 3D environment using glasses or a virtual reality helmet. How does the patient see it? He is in a virtual space that recreates a disturbing situation - speaking in front of an audience, being in an airplane cockpit, driving a car, being placed in an MRI machine, etc. In such therapy, it is possible to develop and test in real time how to cope with a frightening situation or endure it less emotionally. In addition, unlike reality, the impact of the disturbing factor can be stopped at any time. Being in a 3D environment, you not only observe what is happening, but you can also actively participate in the process - talk, move, and the psychotherapist can change the scenario with the help of a computer program. The difference from the real situation will be in complete safety and the help of a psychotherapist at all stages. nine0003

VR technology is a modern form of exposure therapy that is an important part of effective psychotherapeutic areas, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and responsibility acceptance therapy (ACT). Exposure in psychotherapy is a technique by which the patient is invited to contact a frightening or disturbing factor in a safe, controlled environment where nothing threatens him.

Most commonly used by psychologists and psychotherapists:

imaginary exposure when the patient imagines a frightening situation while in the office
in vivo exposure, when it is proposed to expose oneself to the action of a disturbing influence in life, but under the control of a psychotherapist or relatives

VR exposure is a qualitatively different way:

it allows you to simulate a situation in conditions where the patient has difficulty imagining
recreates the circumstances not only visually, but also allows you to use the appropriate sound (for example, imitate laughter in the audience, the negative reaction of the interlocutor)

Psychotherapist Olga Guzhova about VR therapy

In what cases can VR therapy help?

VR technologies are not used in psychotherapy as an isolated method, they complement planned psychotherapy at a certain stage. Exposure using VR can be useful for:

panic disorder (most often patients describe the manifestations as "panic attacks" in certain conditions)
specific phobias, such as agoraphobia (fear of being in places and situations that you cannot leave), altophobia (fear of heights), claustrophobia (fear of being in confined spaces), social anxiety, aerophobia (fear of flying), fear of driving and riding in vehicles and others
fear of medical manipulations (placement in an MRI machine, blood sampling, talking with a doctor, etc.)
anxiety spectrum disorder (e.g. for teaching emotion regulation skills)
chronic pain
somatoform disorders (most often this group of conditions falls under the common term "vegetovascular dystonia": various bodily reactions that are not associated with the pathology of internal organs, but are felt as symptoms of a disease)
teaching relaxation skills, attention regulation, mindfulness in the structure of psychotherapy of various psychiatric diseases (for example, borderline personality disorder (BPD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and others)

Cost of services

How does a VR therapy session work?

If you have not been to a psychotherapist, it is best to consult with a specialist in advance in order to plan the exposure using VR technology. If you are already seeing a psychologist or psychotherapist, then the VR therapy session will begin for you directly with the use of VR glasses. nine0003

At the beginning of the session, the therapist and the patient discuss in detail what will happen during the session. Then the patient puts on glasses, and the psychotherapist manages events in a 3D environment using a special computer program. This can control the number of people in a room in an environment that simulates a public speaking environment, or turn on sudden turbulence or thunderstorms in an environment that simulates flying in an airplane.

If the patient's anxiety is intense, then before diving directly into the frightening environment, the therapist can use VRIT and various relaxation techniques - breathing practices, progressive muscle relaxation, etc. This will help you better prepare for the next exposure. VRIT can also be used on its own, for example, to correct pain. Also VRIT can be used to end a session.