Italian
Modern psychology embraces virtual reality to revolutionize therapy and overcome traumas and phobias
Psychology is undergoing a radical transformation starting from Sicily, crossing Central Italy, and reaching Veneto. This change is not only related to the potential of the web, but also leverages the new frontiers of virtual and immersive reality. Thanks to digitalization and technological development, therapeutic sessions are evolving in more stimulating environments, tailor-made for the patient. This innovation aims primarily to help overcome traumas and phobias.
A new master
From these new frontiers, the second-level master’s degree in “Digital Psychology” promoted by the University of Niccolò Cusano takes off, a program that boasts high-level collaborations, such as the one with psychologist Simone Barbato, co-founder of IDEGO. Since its foundation, the company has been committed to developing immersive software for mental health, with the aim of revolutionizing the approach to psychology and supporting professionals, clinics, hospitals, and research centers.
“To date, we have trained over 400 professionals – specifies Barbato – it is still a niche, but the demand for virtual reality for therapeutic purposes is increasing rapidly. Why? Simple: compared to traditional sessions, this new frontier manages to be ‘activating’ and to unleash certain emotions such as anxiety, stress, phobias, and panic.” And from here, the step is short to help the patient to decondition them in a protected environment like immersive virtual reality.
What can it be used for?
The Unicusano master represents a solid starting point to refine the knowledge of this tool, available to professionals coming from the faculties of Psychology or Medicine. The training path is organized so that, upon obtaining the degree, participants can use the available technologies such as E-Therapy, the use of virtual reality as a functional support for meditation, and the use of technological tools to improve the treatment of phobias, neuromarketing, and dynamics related to social media for patients dependent on these platforms. Additionally, it explores video games and serious games, digital learning (blended teaching), biofeedback, and neurofeedback.
“To date, the feedback has been extremely positive – emphasizes Professor Barbato – Virtual reality is a tool that creates excellent engagement, not only because of the innovative nature of the experience. The central theme remains the acceptability of therapy: facing, for example, the fear of dogs or airplanes in a virtual reality context is more acceptable. People are less intimidated and, consequently, appreciate this approach”.
But the advantage of digital psychology, and with it the Unicusano master’s degree, also revolves around its therapeutic effectiveness. The times of the clinical path shorten because stressful situations can be addressed more quickly in a protected context, or social skills can be enhanced, or even induce states of deep relaxation.
