New virtual reality coaches take off

In Vienna, the first coaches completed the Dipl. VR Coach & Developer training programme. These included many life counsellors, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists.

There are already a number of studies in which virtual reality is being used in a wide range of therapies, as we have already reported several times. reported. In Vienna, Austria, the first coaches recently graduated from the VR Coach further training.

Training in four modules

Over the course of four weekend modules, participants were able to further their education in this exciting field. The first weekend focussed on the basics of brain research in relation to virtual images. A first trial of the VR glasses with relaxation programmes also took place here.

The second weekend was all about conceptualisation. The special added value of this training course is that participants develop their own programmes that can then be used with clients. These include, for example, natural backdrops to relax and unwind. Or exposures with anxiety-inducing scenarios. The first step in developing this programme was to create a script. Which scenario should the client see? What is the sequence of events? Is there a spoken text? What is the aim of this programme? Who can best be helped with this programme?

These scripts were realised in the third module. An expert from Germany came along with a lot of equipment. This included a special 360-degree camera with six lenses and a resolution of 8K (twenty times that of high definition). The whole group visited the various filming locations together. For example, various scenes were filmed in front of and inside a lift. This material was used to create a programme that is perfect for claustrophobics.

Some participants treat patients with social phobia in their practice who hardly dare to socialise. A programme in a park was developed for these clients. The programme starts with the client sitting alone on a park bench. Gradually, other people (the participants) join them and create a sense of human closeness. This scenario will be a real challenge for those affected.

The topics of exam nerves and speaking in front of an audience are also frequently dealt with by the participants in their practices. The group therefore simulated a seminar audience and an examination board themselves. In future, the graduates' clients will watch all these scenarios in VR glasses and will find a very authentic atmosphere there, which will teach them how to deal with these situations confidently and confidently.

In the final module, additional interventions were practised with which the VR programmes can be combined. For example, how resources that have been activated by a VR application can be repeatedly tracked down and expanded. Or relaxation techniques to support a client during an anxiety-inducing scenario.

Wide range of applications

Virtual reality is used for the following topics: For various psychological complaints such as anxiety, phobias, depressive moods or even syndromes of overload and burnout. As an alternative to working with hypnosis as a visualisation aid for mental training and relaxation training. Also for stress prevention, resilience counselling, exam nerves, performance anxiety and fears of job interviews.

Source: pressetext / Youtube