Overview

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a powerful tool in the treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and related conditions—offering immersive, controlled, and repeatable exposure environments that enhance client engagement and therapeutic outcomes. This in-person workshop provides psychologists with practical training in integrating VR into cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for both adults and minors.

Designed for clinicians with foundational CBT knowledge, the workshop focuses on live, hands-on demonstrations rather than theoretical content. Participants will explore how VR can enhance therapeutic interventions for OCD, social anxiety disorder, and selective mutism, with case examples and real-time demonstrations that highlight both effective and ineffective strategies. Key topics include increasing the sense of presence in VR environments, creatively tailoring software use, and managing common side effects such as cybersickness.

Led by two experts with extensive research and clinical experience in VR applications, the workshop offers a unique opportunity to gain confidence and competence in this growing area of clinical practice. Participants will leave with practical skills, evidence-based insights, and a clearer understanding of how VR can reinforce core therapeutic principles such as graded exposure, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring.

This event will be held as part of the CyPsy28 – the 28th Annual CyberPsychology, CyberTherapy and Social Networking Conference.

Take this opportunity to future-proof your clinical skills and harness the potential of VR to transform therapeutic outcomes.

Inclusions

• Participants will receive a PDF version of the workshop resources. Access to VR evidence based is also provided as an open access document.
• Morning tea, lunch, tea and coffee, are included for workshop attendees.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for: psychologists, general practitioners, occupational therapists, nurses, and other allied health practitioners.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Professional competencies for psychology

The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) have updated the Professional competencies for psychology which come into effect on 1 December 2025. 

This activity addresses the following PsyBA Professional competencies for psychology: Competency 1, Competency 2, Competency 5.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• outline the scientific results about exposure in Virtual Reality (VR) for anxiety disorders and Obessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD),
• identify the key ingredients relevant for using VR and how they differ between each clinical condition,
• include VR in their Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) practice to approach creatively the use of a variety of software,
• recognise and deal with the cybersickness and take necessary clinical precautions,
• describe how to increase the sense of presence in order to make VR work more efficiently or to deal with low level immersion, and
• apply VR in ways that reduce avoidance and increase its therapeutic potential.

Presenter(s)

Website/s