Virtual reality therapy, or VR therapy, is the combination of the most highly successful treatment for fears and phobias (exposure therapy) with a computer generated world that allows you to practice facing your fears. You become an active participant within a computer generated three-dimensional virtual world that utilizes visual, auditory and movement cues. The VR system allows you to experience emotions consistent with those experienced in the real world.

Standard treatment for the fear of flying usually requires that both the therapist and patient travel to the nearest airport, spend time on airplanes, and often take a flight together. Virtual Reality Treatment is conducted in the therapist's office eliminating the need for travel to the airport.

Patients receive visual and audio sensory cues consistent with being in an actual airplane. At every step of the virtual flight the therapist can see and hear what the patient is experiencing in the virtual plane. VR therapy for fear of flying offers many advantages over standard exposure therapy approaches including decreased cost, protection of patient confidentiality, safety for patient and therapist during exposure, complete control over the virtual flight, and shorter therapy sessions.



Treatment for fear of flying usually begins with a thorough assessment of your fear. You are then taught how to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety by using breathing and relaxation techniques. Learning to change thoughts that create anxiety is also an important step in the treatment. After you learn these skills you are ready to practice them using the virtual reality program for fear of flying. You can practice sitting in a plane, take offs, flying in good weather, flying in bad weather and landings. Each aspect of the flight can be repeated many times during a typical session. By the end of treatment you can calmly take an entire virtual flight.

After completion of the VR treatment you are ready to take an actual flight. Research studies indicate a 93% success rate using VR therapy to overcome the fear of flying.

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