Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may find relief with a new and surprising form of therapy. A clinical psychologist at the University of Southern California Institute of Creative Technologies is using virtual reality to treat the condition.<\/p>\n
Dr. Albert \u201cSkip\u201d Rizzo spent over a decade designing 14 virtual reality worlds to help veterans deal with traumatic events from their past. Each world mirrors various war zones and can be tailored to a patient\u2019s specific situation. Clinicians can add custom features such as helicopters, missiles and small-arms fire.<\/p>\n
The therapy consists of veterans wearing virtual reality headsets. Each session lasts around one-and-a-half hours. The patient talks about their experience with the therapist as they are guided through the simulation. <\/p>\n
Virtual reality therapy has its roots in prolonged exposure therapy, a common treatment method for PTSD. It involves the clinician asking the patient to recount the scenario that is affecting them. Rizzo noted (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may find relief with a new and surprising form of therapy. A clinical psychologist at the University of Southern California Institute of Creative Technologies is using virtual reality to treat the condition. Dr.…<\/span><\/p>\n