Virtual Reality Therapy

Would you feel more comfortable talking to a therapist as a virtual avatar rather than in person? A new study out of Edith Cowan University is looking into a niche in the VR market known as Virtual Reality Therapy.

Madeleine Lombardi talks to Psychology and Communication researcher, Dr Shane Rogers regarding the findings of the research and the technology behind it.

The study looks at a therapist driven avatar who is then able to virtually able to see clients, enabling a different method of communication for those who may feel more comfortable disclosing difficult experiences virtually rather than in person. Stepping away from other studies in the field that focus on an Artificial Intelligence driven therapist, this study focuses on the real people on both the therapist and client sides of the virtual reality therapist session.