In my last blog post I came across some articles talking about „Immersion Therapy“. I found this topic interesting and even though I know the basics I have yet to delve deeper into this field of therapy.
So let us do just that!
Definition of terms
Firstly, let us begin with a brief definition, which will be further expanded on in more detail in the next section. There are a bunch of terms and definitions floating around this topic. The most commonly used terms in this discourse are:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Exposure therapy
- Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET)
- Immersion therapy
Exposure therapy describes a specific form of cognitive behavioral therapy. Immersion therapy is a more intense form of exposure therapy, where the patient is especially immersed. This can be achieved through various methods. Virtual reality exposure therapy simply describes exposure therapy which utilizes some sort of VR setup. VRET can be a part of immersion therapy, but doesn’t have to be.
In the context of this blog post, I will use the terms immersion therapy and VRET interchangeably, always meaning a form of exposure therapy which uses a VR setup to immerse the patient.
Deeper research into this topic
Next up I want to explain the four terms from above further and in more detail. The use cases for these methods will be assessed in the section „Use cases for immersion therapy“ in the next blog post #06.
I believe a strict destination between these segments helps with clarity and readability regarding this vast topic.
Firstly, let us start with cognitive behavioral therapy, since this is the building block on which all further methods are based upon. As seen in graphic 1. CBT is based on the assumption that one’s thoughts, behaviors and emotions are interlinked and can thus create a positive but also negative cycle / feedback loop. The goal of CBT is to deal with negative emotions by breaking them down into smaller parts. These can then be more easily understood and techniques can be learned how to deal with them, i.e. see them one’s problems and emotions in a new light. At the end, the patient should have a better quality of life by learning how to deal with their negative emotions. CBT is a talking treatment where patients talk to their therapist, who then can give advice on how to tackle their problems. In general, it can be said, that different from other talking methods, CBT focuses on current problems rather than searching for problems in one’s past.
Exposure therapy then builds on CBT. The goal is to help people overcome their fears and anxieties, or rather to reduce the negative reactions of people to fears and specific situations. This is done through exposure, therefore the name exposure therapy. The idea, it is predicated upon, is that people can grow stronger against their fears by willingly confronting them. In exposure therapy, patients learn how to address, process and confront their fears. Together with their therapist, patients walk through their problems, then (in a very controlled manner) expose themselves to these problems and then once again talk about their experience. This is repeated as many times necessary.
Virtual reality exposure therapy, as the name implies, is the same treatment form as exposure therapy. The only difference being, that in VRET a virtual reality setup of some kind is used. This brings some unique challenges but also advantages with it. Patients can feel way more immersed and the level of exposure can be easily controlled by the therapist. Also, patients know that they can rely on the medical specialist to turn off the VR program, should they uncomfortable or not yet ready to deal with this level of exposure.
As mentioned above, immersion therapy is a derivative of exposure therapy, which is more intense and immersive than regular exposure therapy. The patient is immersed in their traumatic experience or thought process. This is done for an extended period of time. The goal is to once again strengthen patients by providing a safe space to face their fears and problems – which ultimately leads to a better quality of life. This immersion can be done through various methods such as:
- In vivo exposure
… facing the source of fear/anxiety in real life. - imaginal exposure
… trying to actively and vividly imagine the source of fear/anxiety. - Virtual reality exposure
… using a virtual reality device and setup of some kind. - Introceptive exposure
… exposing oneself to similar physical sensations which are similar to these which happen when facing the fear/anxiety. E.g. running in place to increase heart rate, similar to the sensation one with panic disorder might have, therefore training the mind to see this sensation as harmless.
Summary & conclusion
Since this topic is too big for the scope of one blog post, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the specific use cases for this treatment method will be covered in the next upcoming blog post #06.
In this blog post I delved into the four topics of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, immersion therapy and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET). Both a definition and explanation of these terms were provided. Since I am not a health student, this was an unfamiliar topic and a new experience. These are hugely important fields of research and fascinating but also vast and daunting. However, I look forward to researching this topic further in the upcoming blog posts.
References used in this article and for research
Immersion Therapy for Treatment and Support of Mental Health conditions (simulationmagazine.com)
What Is Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy? (choosingtherapy.com)
Immersion Therapy For Anxiety: How It Works And Techniques (mantracare.org)
Immersion Therapy vs. Exposure Therapy – Healthy Minded
What Is Exposure Therapy? (apa.org)
Overview – Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
