Thorough review of how virtual reality technology is transforming the field of mental health
MHVR: The Power of Immersive Worlds is an expansive and highly insightful exploration into the integration of virtual reality (VR) within the spectrum of mental health offerings. This book is not merely a collection of research and examples; it is a journey through the evolution of VR, tracing its origins from visionary fiction to a substantial, transformative tool in mental health therapy.
Written in a modular format with case studies included throughout, this book features contributions from well-known names in the fields of mental health and technology. Readers will learn about:
- How VR can help clients “paint a picture” during therapy, such as with the help of the Apple Vision Pro and similar devices
- Various applications of VR in the field of mental health, from suicide assessment, treatment, and prevention, to addiction, to trauma therapy in warzones
- Hygiene practices in cybersecurity and data management to keep client data private, safe, and secure
MHVR: The Power of Immersive Worlds earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all mental health professionals seeking state-of-the-art knowledge to help improve patient outcomes, as well as all curious individuals seeking to understand more about the latest VR developments and how they can be used to change the world for the better.
Jessica Stone, PhD, RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist working in a private practice setting in Colorado. She has been a practitioner, professor, presenter, mentor, and author for more than 25 years. She has a particular interest in therapeutic digital tools, specifically virtual reality, tablets, and consoles.
List of Contributors vii
About the Authors xi
About the Companion Website xxv
Section I Fundamentals
1 MHVR Introduction and History 3
Jessica Stone
2 Current Directions in Research on Virtual Reality for Mental Healthcare 13
Triton Ong, Hiral Soni, Julia Ivanova, Hattie Wilczewski, Mollie Cummins, Janelle Barerra, Brandon M. Welch, and Brian E. Bunnell
3 The Reality of Virtual Human Connections 27
Rachel A. Altvater
Section II Considerations
4 Ethics, Rights, and Cybersecurity 41
Catherine Knibbs
5 Neurorights in Immersive Worlds: Safeguarding Cognitive Freedom in Virtual Realms 53
Amanda Kavner
6 Accessibility Components in Virtual Reality 67
Marzena Anna Michalewska Copyrighted Material
Section III Environments
7 Virtual Reality in Clinical Mental Health 83
Jessica Stone
8 Drama Therapy and Virtual Reality: The Future of Creative Embodiment 101
Monique Hill and Lebogang Mokgatle
9 Convergence of Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Leaning, and Wearable Sensors in the Field of Education 113
Richard Lamb, Ikseon Choi, and Tosha Owens
Section IV Populations
10 Virtual Reality and Neurodivergence 131
Robert Jason Grant
11 Treating Anxiety Disorders with Virtual Reality 143
Elizabeth McMahon
12 The Virtual Ukraine Project: Trauma Therapy in Warzones with Virtual Reality 159
Albert “Skip” Rizzo, Cezar Giosan, George Deac, Olya Zaporozhets, Oksana Syvak, Svetlana Dragayeva, Ehud Bodner, Shel Mann, and Jessica Stone
13 Virtual Reality: Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Mental Health Disorders 181
Leslie Baker and Christine Wheeler- Case Jones
14 Virtual Reality Approaches to Trauma- Based Mental Healthcare 193
Gillian Rodriguez
15 Virtual Reality and Chronic Pain 207
DeAnne C. Canieso and James M. Perez
16 Pediatrics in Hospitals 219
Valentino Megale
17 Using Virtual Reality to Support Children with Cancer 235
Gregory Tarnacki
Index 247
