Virtual reality applications in clinical psychology - a hands-on primer
Tracks
Track 8
| Sunday, May 17, 2020 |
| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Presenter(s)
Ms Les Posen
BSc.,Dip.Ed.Psych.,M.Ed.Psych
Flightwise
Virtual reality applications in clinical psychology - a hands-on primer
10:30 AM - 2:30 PMAssumed knowledge of attendee
Intermediate (working knowledge of topic area e.g., treated a few cases)
Level of learning
Introductory
Outline
In 2020, with the release of new technologies and increasing research interest into how these new technologies can enhance psychological practice, Virtual Reality concepts are ready for inclusion into clinical psychology practice, even for those whose technology prowess is low or minimal.
These technologies indeed have at least a two decade history of clinical use, and are no longer too expensive for practitioners. They have been used for the treatment of complex presentations such as PTSD and chronic pain, as well as more frequent presentations such as phobic and panic disorders, pre-surgery preparation and training and preparation for health-related procedures. Once considered contraindicated, psychoses treatments have now begun to incorporate VR.
Through both theory and practical hands-on demonstrations, attendees will leave in no doubt as to the possibilities for enhancing their patient-based work, especially with complex presentations where VR may offer interventions unavailable or inconvenient with more traditional approaches.
This will be accomplished via multimedia case studies, review of the available literature, the presenter's case history of almost 20 years of VR usage in clinical settings, and attendee VR use, through both "off the shelf" environments and those especially created for clinical settings.
Hands-on usage will likely leave few attendees in doubt of the power of these technologies to create immersive environments which in the hands of endorsed clinical psychologists will allow for new approaches to familiar presentations, and enhance their ability to help patients change.
These technologies indeed have at least a two decade history of clinical use, and are no longer too expensive for practitioners. They have been used for the treatment of complex presentations such as PTSD and chronic pain, as well as more frequent presentations such as phobic and panic disorders, pre-surgery preparation and training and preparation for health-related procedures. Once considered contraindicated, psychoses treatments have now begun to incorporate VR.
Through both theory and practical hands-on demonstrations, attendees will leave in no doubt as to the possibilities for enhancing their patient-based work, especially with complex presentations where VR may offer interventions unavailable or inconvenient with more traditional approaches.
This will be accomplished via multimedia case studies, review of the available literature, the presenter's case history of almost 20 years of VR usage in clinical settings, and attendee VR use, through both "off the shelf" environments and those especially created for clinical settings.
Hands-on usage will likely leave few attendees in doubt of the power of these technologies to create immersive environments which in the hands of endorsed clinical psychologists will allow for new approaches to familiar presentations, and enhance their ability to help patients change.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
• Understand the variety of patient presentations to which VR can be applied
• Know how to bring VR into their practice and introduce it to their patients, initially through off there shelf games there via clinical software
• Know for which presentations VR is an appropriate tool and for whom it is contraindicated
• Ethical aspects of applying VR in the clinical setting.
• Understand the variety of patient presentations to which VR can be applied
• Know how to bring VR into their practice and introduce it to their patients, initially through off there shelf games there via clinical software
• Know for which presentations VR is an appropriate tool and for whom it is contraindicated
• Ethical aspects of applying VR in the clinical setting.
Biography
Les Posen FAPS first joined the APS Board of Clinical Psychologists in 1992. Trained initially at the Austin Hospitals Department of Psychological Medicine, he is based in Melbourne in independent practice, focussing mainly on anxiety disorders. He has brought new technologies into his practice, and led workshops for college members in applying Digital Technologies. In 2000, he began incorporating Virtual Reality technologies in to his work, and has offered presentations and workshops in the USA and Canada.
