VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Virtual reality is a technology, a communication interface, and an artificial experience. These facets are the foundations of a new clinical environment that can be used for integrating and enhancing actual therapeutic approaches. For this reason, virtual reality is starting to play an important rol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.) Ill.), 2003-03, Vol.40 (1-2), p.68-76
Main Author: Riva, Giuseppe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical Psychology
Human
Mental Disorders
Psychotherapeutic Techniques
Psychotherapy
Safety
Technology
Virtual Environment
Virtual Reality
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Summary:Virtual reality is a technology, a communication interface, and an artificial experience. These facets are the foundations of a new clinical environment that can be used for integrating and enhancing actual therapeutic approaches. For this reason, virtual reality is starting to play an important role in clinical psychology-as shown by its use in the treatment of phobias, eating disorders and obesity, male erectile dysfunctions, and posttraumatic stress disorders-that is expected to increase in the next years. This article presents the possible role of virtual environments in clinical psychology, discussing their clinical rationale. Finally, it describes the technological tools and safety requirements associated with the use of this approach.
ISSN:0033-3204
1939-1536
DOI:10.1037/0033-3204.40.1-2.68