Post-traumatic stress disorder affects nearly 10% of the world's population. Virtual reality exposure therapy allows you to recontextualize the environment linked to the traumatic event, to work on thoughts, beliefs and anxieties in a progressive and safe way, alongside a psychologist trained in cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT). More than 1000 patients have already been supported with this approach.
Exposure to situations associated with the traumatic event may be relevant in supporting patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, reproducing these situations in consultation is not always simple.
Some depend on an external context that is difficult to recreate on demand, or on the presence of third parties that the practitioner does not control. Their intensity and progression can also be difficult to adjust without risking exceeding what the patient can tolerate.
Virtual reality makes it possible to recreate some of these contexts directly in the office, in a controlled and reproducible environment, where the practitioner keeps control over each parameter of the exposure.
The C2Care environments make it possible to recontextualize the situations linked to the traumatic event and to gradually reintroduce them during the sessions. The practitioner chooses the scene adapted to the patient's history and his therapeutic objectives.
In a public transport or public place environment, the patient may be exposed to crowds, noise or the perceived gaze of others. In a driving context, highway and tunnel environments allow traffic density and travel conditions to be worked on gradually.
These situations can be repeated and adjusted in intensity throughout the practitioner's protocol, in order to work with the patient on catastrophic thoughts, beliefs and anxieties associated with the event, in a logic of habituation.
VRET
The practitioner seats the patient on a swivel chair and fits them with the virtual reality headset
Using the control interface, the practitioner selects the environment suited to the session's goals and starts the exposure.
During immersion, the practitioner supports the patient using a visual feed and can adjust the exposure scene in real time
Environments
Virtual reality recreates multiple environments associated with traumatic events to allow progressive exposure.
The subway scenes offer several levels of attendance and a breakdown situation.
Outdoor spaces and supermarkets make it possible to work on returning to busy places.
Road activities allow you to progress from smooth driving to heavy traffic.
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Solène Montègue
Neuropsychiatrist
The developments C2Care is currently integrating into the interface are very promising and meet the established therapeutic objectives [...]: offering tailored exercises that can be adapted to levels of dependency, cognitive disorders, and patients' real-time responses.
Samia Lahya
Psychiatrist
With the acquisition of new equipment [...] and updates to the C2Care programs, its use has expanded even further: OCD, phobias, addictions, anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD. Ten years later, it is no longer merely a curiosity, but a genuine therapeutic tool that is stimulating, innovative, and effective.
Sabrina Gineau
Psychologist
I incorporate this technology into brief therapies lasting two to four months, with one session per week. I begin with relaxation techniques and, when patients are ready, we proceed. It makes it much easier to expose people to these situations.
Noël Schepers
Psychologist
Virtual reality can enrich and personalize treatment, facilitate patient-therapist collaboration in developing the treatment plan, and add a playful dimension. The possibilities for development and application are immense and extend to every area of psychology and psychotherapy.
MĂ©lanie Boucherot
Psychologist
The value of this technology [C2Care] lies in offering new possibilities for therapeutic support and expanding the range of tools available to healthcare professionals.
François Maltese
Psychologist
For several months, we have been using virtual reality in habituation therapies. Before the procedure, patients are progressively and immersively exposed to their future medical environment and psychologically prepared to accept it.
Dre Marie-Claude Roberge
Doctor of Psychology
Since 2022, we have been using virtual reality therapy with the C2Care platform to simulate exposure to aversive stimuli and triggers that cause anxiety. Exposure therapy is used to treat specific phobias, including fear of heights, enclosed spaces, flying, dogs, emetophobia, and many others.
Dr Laure Du Pouget
Urologist
Using a virtual reality headset for self-hypnosis during prostate biopsies creates a calm atmosphere for a procedure that can sometimes be uncomfortable, even with effective local anesthesia...
Delphine Py
Psychologist
Thank you to C2Care for providing innovative virtual reality solutions to support CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)! A major step forward in making exposure exercises easier and helping our patients overcome their phobias.
Heo et al. — Effectiveness of graduated exposure in virtual reality on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Graded Exposure Therapy on PTSD Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
van Loenen et al. — Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Severe Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Severe Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Meta-analysis
Carl et al. — Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and related disorders: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Wiebe et al. — Virtual reality in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review
Church et al. — Clinical Emotional Freedom Technique as an Evidence-Based Practice for the Treatment of Psychological and Physiological Disorders
Clinical EFT as an evidence-based practice for the treatment of psychological and physiological conditions: A systematic review
Discover more
Depending on your patients' needs, other areas may also be relevant to explore. Discover the different environments available in C2Care.
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FAQ
Here are the answers to the most asked questions about treating post-traumatic stress disorder with virtual reality.
Virtual reality allows graduated exposure to anxiety-provoking situations in a secure setting, promoting habituation and the management of emotions. The environments are reproducible and adjustable to each patient, which reinforces therapeutic engagement. It applies to anxiety disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and addictions.
C2Care has been testing its virtual reality software in hospitals since 2016. This collaboration with the medical sector has made it possible to adapt virtual environments to the clinical needs of practitioners and patients suffering from anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
People who have experienced a traumatic event, generating a physical or psychological injury, can benefit from this therapy. Nearly 10% of the world's population is affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. The virtual reality exposure recontextualizes the place or event to work on thoughts and anxieties.
Cybersickness may occur in some patients when using the headset. It affects around 10% of exposed people and results in sensations similar to travel sickness. Progressive sessions limit this risk over graduated exposure.
Yes, all C2Care environments are grouped into a single application. You thus access the entire catalog without additional software, whatever the phobia or anxiety disorder being worked on, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
The C2Care technical service can be reached via live chat from your control platform. In the event of a breakdown, a diagnosis is established with you and the defective equipment is replaced within 48 hours if necessary.
The exposure is carried out gradually and safely, accompanied by a psychologist. Some people may experience cybersickness, a temporary discomfort linked to immersion.
Virtual reality is used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders and addictions.
Cybersickness affects around 10% of people using a virtual reality device. This is a temporary discomfort, generally linked to immersion.
Psychologists, psychiatrists and other practitioners trained in exposure therapy can use virtual reality to support their patients.
The practitioner has customizable environments to adapt the exposure to each patient, while promoting their engagement thanks to the immersive aspect of the device.
Yes, all C2Care environments are grouped into a single application.
Our technical service can be reached via the live chat of your control platform. If there is a problem with the headset, we will diagnose and replace the defective hardware within 48 hours if necessary.
Patients suffering from anxiety disorders, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder may benefit from virtual reality exposure therapy.
Contact customer service via your platform's live chat for any cancellation request.
