Virtual Reality Medical Center - VR Therapy for Glossophobia

Fear of Public Speaking

It is likely that the most common social phobia is fear of public speaking. Fear of public speaking is the third most common psychiatric disorder and was listed by the Book of Lists as the #1 fear among Americans and an article published in the Wall Street Journal reported that "stage fright" afflicts 20 million people at some point during their lifetimes.

Virtual reality exposure therapy places the client in a computer-generated environment where they "experience" the various aspects of public speaking. The client wears a head-mounted display with small TV monitors and stereo earphones to receive both visual and auditory cues.

Virtual reality technology allows the client to role-play in a virtual environment where different scenarios can be acted out and then discussed. Patients can practice giving a speech that they have memorized, giving a presentation that is input into the virtual reality computer, or simply talking in front of a group. Audiences can be modified to respond to the speaker in an attentive or distracted manner, creating many options for treatment situations.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call our front office at 1-866-822-VRMC.