VR Psychology Workshops

Virtual reality technology has progressively become a more conventional, household technology. When the prototype that became Oculus Rift launched on Kickstarter in 2010 it paved virtual realities way into mainstream technology. As a platform, virtual reality is mainly known for its use as a gaming device, as was its original design. However, many companies and different fields are finding that the possibilities of virtual reality applications go far beyond the gaming industry.

One such company, NewPathVR, has found that virtual reality has a powerful, therapeutic value that can be utilized to help individuals experiencing behavioral and mental health issues. NewPathVR, a digital behavioral health company, works on the development of VR experiences that create immersive experiences that can be used as a therapeutic tool in conjunction with medical care and are aimed at helping to reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.

“Once they are in VR, it’s like their minds have seen a new country or they’ve tasted a new food. They are brought back to their initial discovery phase of life, when they were younger children. In fact, that’s what it does for us all. It opens our minds like we are children soaking it all in. Something completely new, for the first time.”  

Beyond VR Gaming

Lisa Padilla, CEO of NewPathVR, alongside developing this technology, has been teaching accredited courses in VR Psychology for 3 years, which are approved by the San Francisco Psychological Association and San Mateo County Psychological Association in partnership with Dr. Bruce Pitcher, past President of the San Francisco Psychological Association. The course covers both the practical and clinical uses of virtual technologies for the assessment and treatment of psychological conditions. The course covers the research behind each of the mental health conditions that virtual technology can address, the apps available for each condition, as well as educating on the pros and cons of all available major headsets on the market.

Lisa has designed this course to teach behavioral and mental health professionals how they can add virtual reality technology into their practice. Specifically, she discusses investment options, hardware and software choices, FDA approved applications, intervention, pricing models and maintenance. Lisa’s VR Psychology Workshops teach providers the fundamental knowledge to be able to successfully incorporate virtual reality into their practice, helping providers to add another tool to address the needs of their patients.

Lisa has specifically explored using VR with youth, traumatized, and marginalized populations, as well as veterans, seniors, end-of-life patients, the disabled and artists. Over the past 4 years she has taught thousands of participants how to use VR for healing purposes.

References:

Statista
Greenlight Insights
GlobalWebIndex
Greenlight Ventures
Capgemini