You’ve maybe seen virtual reality in movies or computer games where some equipment (usually eye goggles) transports your experience of being in one place to another.  This exciting technology is now available for therapeutic use here in York Region!

For certain types of anxieties and phobias,
the classic treatment has been Exposure Therapy.

This approach is generally about helping people overcome their excessive fears, through strategic graded exposure, until they no longer experience the same level of anxiety and distress as before.  Through repetition, the body and brain build new associations, changing old beliefs about danger and threat to new beliefs based on experiences of neutrality.

VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY

Exposure therapy can be done “on location” or in the office, using the imagination.  “On location” is the most effective condition, but often unrealistic due to time and accessibility.  Now, Virtual Reality Therapy opens up the possibilities to reap the benefits of “on location” exposure from the convenience of my office.

Fear of flying, claustrophobia, driving anxiety, public speaking - these are all treatable using Virtual Reality Therapy.  In fact, recent studies are showing Virtual Reality Therapy is also effective for chronic pain management and mindfulness training. 

Tel: (647) 947-7109
 Serving Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Markham, Maple, Newmarket, Vaughan