Webinar with 2 continuing education credits

In this CME-certified webinar, the focus is on the application of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) for depressive disorders. Based on current scientific findings regarding the effectiveness of VR-based interventions for depression, we will discuss practical concepts for integration into existing psychotherapeutic treatment approaches.

Using concrete case studies and interactive scenarios, we demonstrate how virtual environments can be specifically utilized for activation, mood enhancement, and motivation promotion – for example, through VR-supported behavioral activation or imaginative elements. The focus is on the meaningful combination of proven methods with innovative VR applications.

The webinar is aimed at licensed therapists who wish to use VRET in the context of depressive disorders. The goal is to provide new impulses for an expanded therapeutic practice – evidence-based, experience-driven, and with a focus on practical implementation in clinical everyday life.

Literature recommendation:

Falconer, C. J., Rovira, A., King, J. A., Gilbert, P., Antley, A., Fearon, P., & Brewin, C. R. (2016). Embodying self-compassion within virtual reality and its effects on patients with depression. BJPsych Open, 2(1), 74–80. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.002147

The study examines the innovative use of VR to promote self-compassion in depressed patients. In a virtual setting, participants encounter themselves from the perspective of a supportive avatar – a technique that facilitates emotional processing and self-care. The results show significant improvements in self-compassion and depressive symptoms. The work provides a solid foundation for the therapeutic use of VR in depression treatment and highlights the potential of affective VR interventions.