VR exposure training
Many people experience discomfort in social situations at some point in their lives, but it can seem scary to do something about. With us, you can now practice social situations in VR in consultation with a psychologist to take the first step towards a slightly easier everyday life.
- Developed in close collaboration with our psychologists
- Start with a conversation with a psychologist, and together you will assess whether VR training is right for you
Download the app to book an appointment.
How is social anxiety treated?
For many with various forms of anxiety and phobias, it will be important to gradually expose yourself to what you fear. For people with social anxiety, this might mean, for example, practicing speaking up in a conversation or walking into a room full of people. Recent research shows that this does not necessarily have to take place physically, but preferably simulated using virtual reality (VR).
At Dr. Dropin Psychology, you can therefore choose between two different courses:
1. Talk therapy with a psychologist
2. VR training in combination with conversations with a psychologist
Read more about social anxietyHow does VR treatment work?
An advantage of VR treatment is that this can be more practical and accessible to many, compared to having to seek out a social situation "in real life". In addition, some may experience the threshold as lower to get started with the training when you know that it is only a simulation. The brain will experience the simulated social situation so real that the experiences can become transferable to real life. In the VR package, you get both the opportunity to be exposed to the anxiety in a virtual and safe environment, in combination with talking to a psychologist.
Our VR solution has been developed in close collaboration with our psychologists and people with social anxiety. All of our VR-qualified psychologists have themselves practiced social situations in VR, and can recommend scenarios and how the clients can proceed to make the VR training most appropriate.
Conversation with a psychologist
Have an initial chat with the psychologist either at one of our clinics or on video. There you will find out whether VR is right for you.
VR-training
The VR glasses and all the information you need are delivered to your home. Then you follow the training program you have chosen with the psychologist.
The way forward
The therapy continues together with your psychologist, and the VR training becomes a tool you use between sessions with the psychologist to practice social situations.
What is VR?
VR stands for Virtual Reality, or virtual reality in Norwegian. VR allows users to experience virtual situations in three dimensions using VR glasses. The glasses have screens in the entire field of vision and motion sensors that give the user a feeling of being present in the simulated environment. This allows us to use VR to provide the same exposure training as one could do "in real life".
Our psychologists who offer VR training
Ingeborg
Ingeborg is keen to help clients create meaning and understanding for why we act or feel the way we do, and together find some good goals for change. Ingeborg would describe herself as a considerate person, who is good at listening, and who is concerned that those she meets should feel seen, accepted and safe.
Rikke
With genuineness, warmth and acceptance, Rikke wants it to feel safe to explore difficult topics in the therapy room. This can, for example, be stuck thoughts and feelings, repetitive life patterns and reactions to bad events. Together you will find goals for the therapy, as well as the approach and pace that suits you best.
Othilia
Othilia is a curious and committed therapist who is concerned with creating a space where you feel safe and can be yourself. Nothing is too big or too small in the therapy room. She wants to meet you with openness and warmth to help you with what you bring. Othilia sees therapy as a collaboration for understanding and change, where we explore thoughts and feelings together.
Mari A
Mari is keen to create a safe and open relationship where everything can be discussed. She adapts the treatment to your wishes and can both work towards concrete goals, or address stuck and difficult feelings. No matter what your challenge may be, Mari will always take you seriously and meet you with empathy and warmth.
Rebecca
Rebecca is focused on welcoming all clients with warmth and curiosity, and building a good and safe relationship with them. In her treatment approach, she prioritizes seeing each individual person as unique, and tailoring the treatment to their specific needs, as no two people are alike. Together, you will work to establish a treatment approach and goals that are tailored specifically to you.
Mari S
Mari is focused on creating a safe and comfortable therapy room where you can feel free to bring up anything you need to in your conversations. She will help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and work with you to identify patterns that may be causing difficulties and discomfort in your daily life. Mari is dedicated to helping you make meaningful changes that can improve your overall well-being.
Tailor your VR training
Using artificial intelligence, you can have natural conversations with the characters you meet in VR. You can choose between leading the conversation yourself, or letting them take the lead. They listen to what you say and respond to you. Talk about the weather, ask them about their lives or talk about your interests - it's all up to you.
You yourself get the opportunity to adapt the VR scenarios to make them even more relevant to you. Choose how the atmosphere at the party should be, which position you have applied for in the job interview, or upload your presentation and present in front of a full auditorium in VR.
Price psychologist
Our psychologists can help you with social anxiety. You get an appointment fast and can be followed up for as long as you wish.
Price VR exposure training
With VR glasses, you have the opportunity to practice social situations at home. This costs NOK 2,795 and includes:
- Rent of VR glasses for 1 month
- Training schedule
- Access to the Simli app
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I know if VR training is right for me?
A: Practicing social situations in VR can be helpful for many, whether you have a diagnosis or not. Before the VR training, you always have an appointment with a psychologist to find out what is best for the individual. If you are interested in hearing more about VR training, or think it might be for you, you can download the Dr.Dropin app and book an appointment with a psychologist.
Q: How long does a training in VR last?
A: You always control how long you exercise, and can end the exercise at any time during the course. Some people may feel that they get enough after five minutes in a simulated job interview, while others like to take half an hour at a time.
Q: How often do I have to train in VR?
A: Together with the psychologist, you will arrive at how much and how often you should exercise. For some it may be suitable to train every day, while for others it is best to have a couple of fixed days a week.
Q: Can the psychologist monitor what I exercise?
After each workout, you report yourself in VR how you think it went. The answers you give are shared with your psychologist, so you can follow up the training in the next class. The psychologist can also see what you have been training for and how long you have been training.
Q: How do I choose intensity?
A: You always choose the intensity level yourself before you start the training. If you find that the training is too intense, you will always be able to go back and choose a lower intensity. The psychologist can also help you find out which intensity suits you best.
Q: What social situations can I practice?
A: When you use the VR glasses you can choose between different social situations to which you are exposed:
Social - dinner party or mingle at a party.
Job - job interview, job meeting, conversation with colleagues, conversation with a manager or presentation in an auditorium.
School - group work, presenting in front of the class or talking to a teacher.
Q: Do I need my own VR glasses?
A: No, everything you need in terms of equipment and information on how to use it will be sent by post by Dr. Dropin's partner. If the equipment fits in your mailbox, it will be delivered to your home. You may have to pick up the package at your nearest post office. The equipment you receive is: VR glasses, charger, 2x controllers and a start-up guide. It is easy to return and you return the VR glasses with the attached return slip.
Q: How do I book VR training?
A: VR training always takes place after a mapping session with one of our psychologists. This is because it is important for us to know that VR training suits you and your needs. If you and the psychologist agree that VR training is something you should try, the psychologist will book VR training for you. After this, you will be sent VR glasses, and will be followed up by the psychologist based on what you agree.
Download our app to get started
