VR Therapy Gains Momentum in Dutch Mental Healthcare, Pioneered by Birgit
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly emerging as a powerful tool in Dutch mental healthcare, offering a safe and controlled environment for patients to confront anxieties and traumas, according to Birgit, a mental healthcare professional profiled by akwaggz.nl. From initial curiosity to becoming a leading advocate, Birgit’s experience highlights the growing acceptance and potential of VR in treating a range of conditions.
Birgit notes that VR treatments often prove shorter in duration compared to traditional methods. A key benefit is the increased sense of control experienced by clients, making homework assignments more engaging and lowering the barrier to independent practice. ”Clients are literally in thier own world,” she observes.
However, she stresses VR is not a replacement for real-world exposure. the ultimate aim remains for patients to address their challenges in everyday life. VR serves as a crucial “stepping stone” when direct practice is initially too difficult. For example, individuals with a fear of public transport can practice navigating a virtual bus filled with passengers, learning that their anxious expectations often don’t materialize. VR also provides a safe avenue for simulating scenarios impossible or unethical to recreate in reality, such as experiences of domestic violence.
Birgit encourages hesitant healthcare professionals to embrace the technology. “Just do it,” she advises, noting that therapists frequently enough harbor more apprehension about VR than their patients. She likens the learning process to a ”Tupperware party” – encouraging hands-on experimentation to discover the possibilities. Continuous monitoring of costs and providing feedback to developers for application enhancement are also crucial, she adds.
Looking ahead, Birgit envisions a broader role for VR in mental health, extending beyond treatment to include diagnostics, medical hypnosis, and mindfulness practices. She also highlights the potential for culturally-specific applications, allowing patients to engage in therapy in their native language and without stigma.
Innovations like virtually recreating classroom environments to assess attention spans in children with ADHD, and customizing virtual scenarios – even down to details like a perpetrator’s appearance – demonstrate the technology’s growing sophistication. Birgit’s hope is that VR remains affordable, ensuring widespread access to these beneficial innovations for patients.
Further Information:
* Digital Care Standard of Care
* Learning Network Virtual reality treatment
