Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual Reality (VR) Ottawa

What Is Virtual Reality?

While the concept of virtual reality (VR) has been around for several decades, recent advances have made it an exciting and innovative tool in mental health care. VR uses advanced technology to create immersive, realistic environments. The VR headset and audio system helps you to see and hear the digital environment, while handheld controllers allow you to interact with your surroundings. This means that even while sitting in an office in Ottawa, you could feel as though you're relaxing on a tropical beach.


How Can Virtual Reality Help Treat Phobias?

Virtual reality is increasingly being used in exposure therapy to treat phobias. This therapy involves gradually and safely exposing individuals to the source of their fear in order to build distress tolerance over time. For example, someone with a phobia might start by talking about their fear, then progress to viewing related images, and eventually confront real-life situations. VR makes this process more flexible and accessible by allowing clients to face difficult or rare scenarios in a controlled and safe environment. VR exposure therapy is especially effective for specific phobias, including fears of bugs, travel, and social situations.


Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy at Gilmour

Gilmour Psychological Services is pleased to announce that we are now accepting patients for exposure therapy using virtual reality. Dr. Drahovzal and her team will be offering appointments for this innovative treatment approach for clients seeking exposure therapy for specific phobias.

Gilmour Psychologists with Expertise in Virtual Reality Therapy

Contact Gilmour Psychological Services® in Ottawa to schedule a consultation with a psychologist who has an expertise in virtual reality therapy.

A woman with curly hair is smiling for the camera.
September 9, 2022
Dr. Drahovzal provides psychotherapy and assessment services to children, adults, couples, and families at Gilmour Psychological Services® in Ottawa.
Smiling blonde woman in a navy top and black blazer against a white background
July 20, 2021
Kaitlyn is an APPIC pre-doctoral intern working under the primary supervision of Dr. Deanna Drahovzal and Dr. Emma Murray, along with her secondary supervisors, Dr. Emma Dargie and Dr. Victoria Edwards. She is completing her PhD in clinical developmental neuropsychology at York University, where her research focuses on understanding how family and environmental factors relate to cognitive outcomes in children following pediatric stroke. Kaitlyn also holds master’s degrees in clinical developmental neuropsychology and in developmental psychology. Kaitlyn has primarily worked with children, adolescents, young adults, and families across private practice, university, and hospital settings. Her clinical experience includes individual, family, and group therapy as well as neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and psychological assessment. She completed specialized training at the Hospital for Sick Children , where she worked with children and families navigating neurological and complex medical conditions in the Stroke, Transplant and Regenerative Medicine, and Neurosurgery programs. Throughout these experiences, she has worked with individuals presenting with a range of developmental, neurological, learning, attentional, emotional, and behavioural concerns. Kaitlyn views therapy as a collaborative process. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, she works with her clients to understand what brought them to therapy, identify what matters most to them, and build upon the strengths and resources they already possess. Her approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based, drawing primarily from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. At Gilmour Psychological Services®, Kaitlyn provides assessment ( neuropsychological, psychodiagnostic, and psychoeducational ), short- and long-term therapy, crisis management, and consultation to children, youth, adults, and families. Above all, Kaitlyn strives to develop a genuine, trusting therapeutic relationship where clients and families feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their care.