VR for spider and animal phobias

The question

Take a breath with me. How close can you get to a spider when you know it's virtual? This is Virtual Reality Therapy Explained, at virtualrealitytherapy.info.

Meet the VR for spider and animal phobias

Specific phobias, such as fear of spiders or dogs, respond well to graded exposure. In VR the therapist controls the animal's size, distance and movement, so a client can start with a small, still spider across the room and work up at their own pace.

How it runs

Step by step, it looks like this. First, start with a picture-like, distant, still animal. Next, bring it closer, make it bigger, or let it move. Then, let the client choose when to take the next step. Finally, practise until distress falls at each level.

Strengths and limits

What makes it worth trying? Fine, repeatable control over every detail. No live animals to care for. Clients often accept VR more readily than live exposure. And what should we be careful about? Some clients may need live exposure later to finish therapy. Screening and clinical oversight are still needed.

What to measure

Here's how progress shows up in the data. Closest approach distance: how near the client chose to go. Distress per level: the subjective units of distress. Time spent looking at the animal: avoidance in the gaze data. Levels completed per session: progress. In session one, a client keeps the virtual spider three metres away and looks away often. By session four, it's on the table in front of them, and they watch it walk.

The takeaway

Something to hold on to: distress per level and its neighbours tell you how the task was done, not just how fast. You'll find the full script and sources on this page. And remember, this is information, not medical advice.