Virtual reality (VR) for psychotherapy: From the physical to the social environment

To date, all therapeutic applications of VR have involved the simulation of physical (as opposed to social) aspects of the environment. Researchers have produced simulations of heights, different kinds of spaces, and the experience of flying (airplanes, views from the plane, etc.), with the goal of improving the delivery of exposure and desensitization for the treatment of phobias. VR scientists are currently at work on the simulation of the social environment through the use of virtual people (VPs). We suggest that when VR gains the ability to simulate human social interaction, it can be used to assist in the treatment of a wider variety of conditions. In this article, we first review the existing applications of VR to therapy. We then discuss a variety of ways that VP's could be used in therapy.