Perceptions of virtual reality among therapists who do not apply this technology in clinical practice.
Abstract
Research has documented the usefulness of virtual reality (VR) in treating a number of psychopathologies. Despite its recognized clinical utility, VR remains underutilized in clinical practice. For the purpose of this study, 262 therapists who reported that they did not currently use VR in psychotherapy were surveyed about their perceptions of the use of this technology in clinical practice. Results suggest that reluctance in using this technology stems from beliefs about the required training, equipment, and financial costs and from unfamiliarity with the various benefits and applications of VR. The significance of promoting greater use of this new technology is discussed.
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Clinicians have a generally favorable view of using VR clinically.
“Two later survey studies found that clinicians have a generally favorable view of using VR clinically”
From Better, Virtually: the Past, Present, and Future of Virtual Reality Cognitive Behavior Therapy (2021) · cites this paper as Schwartzman et al. 2012
Clinicians reported fears about required training, handling the equipment, and financial costs, and reported an overall low degree of acquaintance with VR technology.
“although they also reported fears about required training, handling the equipment and, financial costs, and reported an overall low degree of acquaintance with the technology (Schwartzman et al. 2012;Segal et al. 2011).”
From Better, Virtually: the Past, Present, and Future of Virtual Reality Cognitive Behavior Therapy (2021) · cites this paper as Schwartzman et al. 2012
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- Authors
- Schwartzman, D., Segal, R., & Drapeau, M.
- Affiliations
- McGill University (CA)
- ORCID
- Drapeau, Martin
- Venue
- Psychological Services
- Published
- 2012
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 310-315
- ISSN
- 1541-1559 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-148X
- OpenAlex
- W1990606246
- Cited by
- 55
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Services (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- virtual reality, therapist perspectives, technology adoption, psychotherapy, technology adoption barriers, training needs, equipment costs
- MeSH terms
- Workforce, Adult, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Psychotherapy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
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