CME Webinar with Continuing Education Credits

In this CME-certified webinar, psychotherapeutic case discussions focusing on specific phobias are at the center. Together, we will take an evidence-based look at the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in specific anxiety disorders that frequently occur in clinical practice and are associated with significant distress for many patients.

After a compact overview of the current research on VR exposure therapy for specific phobias, we will develop practical strategies for selecting and applying suitable VR settings. Typical examples include:

• Animal phobias (e.g., spiders, dogs)
• Acrophobia
• Situational anxieties such as riding elevators or being in tight spaces

Anhand konkreter Fallbeispiele aus der psychotherapeutischen Praxis diskutieren wir indikationsgerechte Einsatzmöglichkeiten, reflektieren Herausforderungen in der Umsetzung und entwickeln Ansätze für eine nachhaltige Integration von VR in den Therapiealltag.

Literature Tip:

Carl, E., Stein, A. T., Levihn-Coon, A., Pogue, J. R., Rothbaum, B., Emmelkamp, P., ... & Powers, M. B. (2019). Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 61, 27–36.

The meta-analysis shows that VR exposure therapy for social phobias is similarly effective as traditional in-vivo exposures – with advantages in terms of acceptance, feasibility, and patient satisfaction.

Note:

The S3 guideline "Anxiety Disorders" (AWMF registration number 051-028, 2nd edition 2022) recommends exposure therapy as the standard procedure in the treatment of specific phobias. VR-supported methods provide a safe, flexible, and resource-efficient complement that allows for broader applicability in clinical practice.

➡️ Full text: AWMF S3-Leitlinie Angststörungen