Fostering therapeutic alliance and long-term benefits through virtual collaboration in VRET
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | INPACT24 Proceedings: Psychological Applications and Trends 2024 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://inpact-psychologyconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/202401OP018.pdf |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.36315/2024inpact018 |
| Keywords | iVR; CIVE; virtual reality; psychotherapy; cognitive-behavioral therapy |
| Description | Within the last decade, immersive virtual reality (iVR) has emerged as a transformative technology in the fields of psychology and psychotherapy, offering promising avenues for novel therapeutic approaches. The increasing demand for psychotherapeutic services and innovative methods to facilitate and enrich psychotherapeutic processes has underscored the unique potential of iVR such as accessibility, scalability, easy creation, and dynamic modification of the virtual content customization and safety. This paper explores the integration of collaborative immersive virtual environments (CIVEs) within Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), aiming to extend the application of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Our investigation not only refines VRET as a contemporary CBT tool but places significant emphasis on the crucial role of therapeutic alliances and the enduring impact of successful interventions. Central to our discussion is the idea that CIVEs should facilitate meaningful interactions between therapists and clients in an immersive virtual realm, which we also attempt to support with our past and follow-up research. Beyond the conventional boundaries of VRET, our perspective advocates for expanding collaborative efforts to encompass traditional CBT sessions conducted within iVR. This deliberate expansion of virtual therapeutic involvement seeks to overcome geographical limitations that align with the evolving landscape of remote therapy while preserving the essential components of established therapeutic methods. We introduce a framework that not only embraces technological progress but also underscores the importance of cultivating strong therapeutic connections, thereby contributing to lasting treatment success. |
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