Posted by Dr. Michael Roy, Professor of Medicine at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences on July 8, 2014
Retired Army Col. Michael J. Roy, who oversees the "Virtual Iraq" exposure therapy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, conducts a demonstration of the therapy used to treat patients with PTSD. (DoD photo by John J. Kruzel)
“Close your eyes and think about the vacation you took on a warm, sunny beach. Now, tell me every detail of what you see, hear, smell and feel.”
- imaginal exposure therapy
“Let’s take a trip to the beach today.”
- in vivo exposure therapy
“Step into this replica of your beach vacation, which you’ll experience with all your senses as if you’re actually there, but I’ll control the environment so you won’t get too hot, too sandy or too uncomfortable overall.”
- virtual reality exposure therapy
We’re not actually going to talk about your beach vacation. These scenarios represent different exposure therapy techniques mental health care providers use to treat patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).