Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Specific Phobias (2 CE)

Number of Credits: 2

This course is for:  Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, LMFTs, and SWs

Course By: Tim Grigsby, PhD

Content By: Wechsler, T. F., Kümpers, F., & Mühlberger, A. (2019). Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?—A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standard in vivo exposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, e1758.

Course Description: Exposure therapy is considered the benchmark and gold standard phobia treatment. Emerging evidence has shown virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy might be an efficacious alternative to in vivo—or “real life”—exposure therapy. The goal of the present review was to compare VR and in vivo studies with equivalent treatment exposure between groups. Results indicated that in vivo exposure therapy was beneficial for Social Phobia but was not superior to VR therapy for Specific Phobia or Agoraphobia. As technology continues to improve, VR exposure therapy should be disseminated especially in cases where structural barriers to in vivo therapy exist.

Learning Objectives:

1. List the three subtypes of phobic anxiety disorders and describe their 12-month and lifetime prevalence in adult populations
2. Compare and contrast “in vivo” and “in sensu” exposure therapy in terms of application and effectiveness in treating phobias
3. Analyze the superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy to in vivo exposure therapy for the three subtypes of phobic anxiety disorders
4. Describe the strengths and limitations of disseminating virtual reality therapy for the treatment of phobias

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?—A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standard in vivo exposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of using virtual reality exposure therapy to in vivo exposure therapy for phobic anxiety disorders
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand why virtual reality exposure therapy for phobic anxiety disorders may be advantageous to traditional face-to-face treatments

Approvals: