Virtual Reality & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a common, short-term therapy that focuses on thinking patterns. Therapists help patients correct their thoughts by incorporating various techniques to change thinking errors and, ultimately, behavior. Patients will usually begin by identifying troubling situations, or triggers, and actions that negatively impact their lives. The thoughts and emotions directly before engaging in an unwanted behavior are then explored. Patients learn how to identify and reconstruct their thoughts in an effort to change the resulting behavior.
Although the research is limited, VR can improve on traditional CBT for correctional rehabilitation based on what we know about how the technology has been used for other types of real-world problems. First, VR-CBT offers a safe, controlled, and realistic environment for offenders to learn and practice new skills. Group facilitators can use the virtual environment to model each skill in a more realistic scenario. This provides participants the ability to actually see how the skill can be used rather than imagining it. Additional features, such as embedded videos, music, and other software, can also be used to enhance the learning.
Once trained, participants can practice their newly acquired skill by role-playing scenarios they might experience in the real world. This might include a street scene, classroom, or night club, to name a few. Different scenarios can be created depending on the needs of each participant in the group. In addition, new environments or experiences can be used to facilitate graduated practice sessions. VR has been useful in further improving the effectiveness of traditional CBT by offering a safe, controlled, and realistic environment for individuals to learn and practice.
Our VR-CBT curriculum was designed by CTS founder, Dr. Bobbie Ticknor. Her expertise in software development, program design, curriculum development, and gamification enabled her to create this treatment program for both community and institutional corrections. She offers trainings on the curriculum for those who want to use the technology to enhance their current correctional rehabilitation efforts.