User:Rmsimonson/sandbox

What I Will Create or Change
VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) ADVANTAGES The preference of virtual reality exposure therapy over in-vivo exposure therapy is often debated, but there are many obvious advantages of virtual reality exposure therapy that make it more desirable. For example, the proximity between the client and therapist can cause problems when in-vivo therapy is used and transportation is not reliable for the client or it is impractical for them to travel as far as needed. However, virtual reality exposure therapy can be done from anywhere in the world if given the necessary tools. Going along with the idea of unavailable transportation and proximity, there are many individuals who require therapy but due to various forms of immobilizations (paralyzation, extreme obesity, etc..) they can not physically be moved to where the therapy is conducted. Again, because virtual reality exposure therapy can be conducted anywhere in the world, those with mobility issues will no longer be discriminated against. Another major advantage is fewer ethical concerns than in-vivo exposure therapy. Once again, considering the idea of close proximity no longer being a requirement, this decreases the chances of inappropriate client-therapist relations taking place. DESCRIPTION Therapists who apply virtual reality exposure therapy, just as those who apply in-vivo exposure therapy, can take one of two approaches concerning the intensity of exposure. The first approach is called flooding. Flooding, just as it sounds, refers to the most intense approach where stimuli that produce the most anxiety are presented first. For soldiers who have developed PTSD from combat, this could mean first exposing them to a virtual reality scene of their fellow troops being shot or injured followed by less stressful stimuli such as only the sounds of war. On the other hand, what is referred to as graded-exposure takes a more relaxed approach in which the least distressing stimuli are introduced first (Moulds 2009). CONCERNS Another concern when applying virtual reality exposure therapy is the idea of 'over-exposure' that can take place "in the name of science". Due to the relatively short time that virtual reality exposure therapy has been used and studied, it is very possible that researchers/therapists could choose to take advantage of patients in order to gain more insight regarding the efficacy of the therapy. Also, the therapist may choose to over-expose clients in order to determine exactly how much aversive stimuli an individual can withstand and still see progress.

Rmsimonson (talk) 23:55, 15 April 2014 (UTC)