Virtual reality can reduce therapists' fears about exposure therapy

MedicalXpress | июн 05, 2026

Researchers at Bradley Hospital found that a virtual reality (VR) training program can help therapists feel more confident using exposure therapy and reduce their negative beliefs about it—even more than traditional classroom-style training alone. The study, published in the journal JMIR Medical Education, is one of the first to test how the level of immersion in VR affects therapist training, and it uses a clear framework aimed at addressing a major reason exposure therapy is underused.