The introduction of Virtual Reality-based solutions into the realm of mental health care is changing the approach to therapy for both patients and therapists themselves. New VR tools dedicated to mental support complement the traditional methods of professionals and facilitate the opening of patients to psychological therapy. The desired therapeutic effects make VR an important component of the therapeutic process.
Visible progress
There are important reasons behind the introduction of VR into the mental health industry, of which increasing the accessibility and effectiveness of therapy can be pointed out as the most significant. VR tools do not displace or replace specialists, but support their work. They are a valuable complement to traditional office methods. The science of mental health is constantly evolving, but the lack of visible signs of progress in working methods may have given the impression of stagnation in this area. Professionals are on the lookout for new diagnostic tools, but also modern and effective tools that could help in therapy. The VR TierOne is a medical device that, based on VR, supports mental health in problems such as stress, depression and anxiety disorders. This cutting-edge device is being used in therapeutic work, evidence that changes are taking place in mental health care, and that beneficial progress is beginning to be seen. Beneficial because it increases the productivity of specialists, whose numbers are inadequate in the face of patients waiting for help with problems of excess stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Change of perspective
Virtual Reality allows patients to change their perspective. Literally and figuratively. After donning VR goggles, the user’s mind is transported to an altered reality. The patient experiences a change in environment, and under these circumstances, a change occurs in the process of prepared virtual therapy to help overcome an existing health problem. With VR-based sessions, the patient is more cooperative with the therapist, allowing for more effective intervention. VR TierOne depression therapy, or VR TierOne GO relaxation goggles, can be part of a visit to a therapist’s office or can be a standalone form of assistance, so the devices are used in situations where there is an urgent need for patient support, yet access to a specialist is limited. Virtual therapy is being used in hospital rehabilitation wards, as supporting the psyche in this way increases the possibility of recovery and fitness. Support through VR is also finding supporters because the devices are easy to use. VR TierOne and VR TierOne GO are characterized by safety, and the small number of contraindications allows the therapy to be addressed to a wide audience.
Patient in VR goggles
A patient wearing VR goggles is still an unusual sight, as virtual therapy is not (perhaps not yet) the standard, but the view is becoming more common. The popularity of affecting mental health with VR solutions prepared for this purpose is growing, primarily because this approach can produce results in a short period of time. The effectiveness of TierOne’s VR medical solution has been confirmed by numerous scientific studies, which you can access here. The phenomenon of immersive therapy continues to fascinate and encourage the development of possible applications. A growing number of therapists are aware of the benefits of VR interventions and the potential to enhance preventive mental health in this way. VR goggles with appropriate therapeutic content are finding their way not only to the heads of patients, but also to people with special needs, prone to mental problems. Students at risk of stress, workers, seniors in nursing homes, or people on the autism spectrum benefit from virtual relaxation sessions. These are not speculative groups and imagined uses of a Virtual Reality-based solution, but actual recipients of it. You can read more about supporting people with autism with VR TierOne GO goggles in this article on the VR TierOne blog.
New opportunities
VR goggles used for therapeutic purposes are breaking down barriers. Therapy becomes accessible, more effective and acceptable to patients also in terms of cost, which can become lower thanks to modern solutions. A dose of innovation and the ability to adapt one’s practice to modern patient expectations increases therapist satisfaction. It also helps keep them energized to meet the needs of a growing patient population. Supporting mental health with VR is a positive development for all stakeholders. VR solutions should be seen as socially useful because they solve the problem of therapy accessibility. As a manufacturer of innovative VR solutions, VR TierOne is pleased to be part of the disruptive changes taking place in the mental health sector.
