Virtual Reality Therapy

How it shows up

Some phobias and anxieties are hard to work through gradually in real life. It’s not easy to arrange repeated exposure to a plane, a height, or a specific feared situation on demand, and jumping straight into the real thing can feel overwhelming before you’ve built up any confidence.

How hypnotherapy helps

Virtual Reality Therapy uses immersive VR technology to simulate a feared situation, flying, heights, public speaking, and others, in a safe, controlled environment where the pace and intensity can be adjusted to what you’re ready for. Pattie offers this as one of the modalities in her practice, often combined with hypnosis, so you’re working with both the mental and emotional response and a realistic, graduated way to practice facing the trigger.

This approach can be especially useful for fears where real-world exposure is difficult to set up safely or repeatedly, giving you a way to build confidence step by step before facing the real situation.

What a session looks like

Every new client starts with a free 20-minute consultation, in person at Pattie’s Scottsdale office or by phone or Zoom, to talk through your specific fear and whether VR therapy fits your situation. From there, sessions run $150 each.

Common questions

Is VR therapy uncomfortable or overwhelming? Sessions are paced to what you’re ready for; the goal is gradual, manageable exposure, not overwhelming you all at once.

What kinds of fears is this used for? It’s commonly used for phobias where real-world practice is hard to arrange, such as flying or heights, though it can be adapted to other situations too.

Is this combined with hypnosis, or a separate approach? It’s often combined with hypnosis, working on both the subconscious response and giving you a realistic way to practice facing the trigger.