Katerina Albrechtowitz works in her own practice (private & insurance) with a wide range of psychotherapeutic methods. In addition to systemic and humanistic approaches, she increasingly uses Virtual Reality (VR) for both relaxation and exposure.
Initial situation
The patient presented has suffered from chronic restlessness, diagnosed exhaustion, and anankastic personality disorder for many years. Perfectionism, impatience, and the need for immediate results have significantly complicated the therapy..
For about a year, the symptoms have been so severe that there is an inability to work. Hospital stays and medication adjustments have not brought any lasting improvement. The level of suffering was correspondingly high.
Decision for Virtual Reality
K. Albrechtowitz primarily utilized systemic work and humanistic body psychotherapy so far. Although the patient showed small progress in the session, there was a lack of implementation at home. Doubts and overwhelm led to stagnation and a looming termination of therapy.
The idea: To enable noticeable effects in a shorter time with VR, build trust, and make the patient experience that they can perceive and regulate their own bodily and emotional reactions.
Procedure and Results
Preparation: Information about VR and initial introduction with a relaxation video ("Music by the Pond"). The patient responded positively right away and noticed differences on their own. This setting was repeated multiple times to create familiarity and trust.
Integration: Gradual expansion and combination with body-psychotherapeutic breathing, selection of possible scenarios from the medical history. Initially, videos were played on the laptop before the glasses were used.
Exposition: Start with the video "Shopping 01" (social phobia). While the patient initially described it as easy, the therapist pointed out nonverbal signals (e.g., lip pressing). This allowed him to consciously perceive uncomfortable sensations and regulate them with breathing techniques. Subsequently, the intensity was increased with "Shopping 02".
Result: The patient learned to perceive themselves better through the VR headset. Relaxation became quickly noticeable, trust was established, and an active engagement in the therapeutic process became possible.
Special Advantages of VR
- Quick access to relaxation → Motivation and hope increase
- Realistic settings → facilitate the transfer to everyday life
- Flexibility in application → also usable diagnostically, promotes creative work
- Focus on body language → the therapist can pick up on nonverbal signals and provide feedback that is easier for the patient to understand
- Effective lowering of the trigger threshold → Situations are recognized earlier and better regulated
Application Focus Areas
The VR headset is primarily used in her practice for relaxation, social and specific phobias, as well as compulsions. K. Albrechtowitz also utilizes the technology for personal meditation and creative regeneration.
Recommendation to colleagues
“VR enriches and facilitates work. It opens up creative possibilities, enhances the perception of patients, and improves self-care. Compared to in vivo exercises, reducing trigger thresholds with VR is often easier and more sustainable.”
👉 This case shows how VR is opening up new therapeutic approaches, especially for complex personality disorders and exhaustion – realistic, motivating, and resource-efficient.
