Virtual Reality Medical Center

08/15/2026

Exciting archival update! 🚀
Back in May 1999, at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, I completed my doctoral dissertation: "Virtual reality exposure for the treatment of fear of flying."
Wiederhold, B. K. (1999). Virtual reality exposure for the treatment of fear of flying (Publication No. 9926430) [Doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology — San Diego]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
At the time, VR headsets were heavy, tracking was primitive, and the concept of using digital spaces for clinical psychology was considered highly experimental. Looking at the thriving VR healthcare ecosystem we have today, it is remarkable to see how far the field has come.
Because 1999 was right at the dawn of the digital archive transition, this original manuscript only lived in a physical, hardbound copy inside the university vaults. I am thrilled to share that the text has finally been digitized!
For colleagues, researchers, and students who have asked to read or cite the foundational data that laid the groundwork for our subsequent clinical trials: the full 1999 dissertation text is now officially available for download.
You can read, download, and cite the open-access PDF directly on my ResearchGate profile here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/412266443_Virtual_reality_exposure_for_the_treatment_of_fear_of_flying_Publication_No_9926430

Thank you to the university archiving team for bringing this historical piece of my work into the digital age! And my dissertation committee Dick Gevirtz Jim Spira David Jacobs

Virtual Reality, Biofeedback & Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for 25 years. Phobias, Anxiety, Stress, Pain, Health Psychology - California, Virginia, Belgium.| |

09/06/2025

SAVE THE DATE!
We are delighted to announce that the 29th Annual CyberPsychology, CyberTherapy & Social Networking Conference (CYPSY29) will take place in Porto, Portugal, from 30th June to 2nd July 2026.
With the theme Human 5.0: Behaviour, Well-being and Ethical Tech, CYPSY29 will bring together researchers, professionals, and experts from around the world to explore the impact of technology on people and society.
Organised by the HEI-Lab Digital Human-environment Interaction Lab at Lusófona University, in collaboration with the Interactive Media Institute, a 501c3 non-profit , Virtual Reality Medical Center and Université du Québec en Outaouais Prof Pedro Gamito Prof Brenda K Wiederhold Prof Stephane Bouchard Cyber Psychology
Save the dates in your calendar!
Stay tuned for more updates. https://cypsy29.ulusofona.pt
We look forward to welcoming you to Porto!
For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gzX39yVU
A.I. Artificial Intelligence Interactive Media Institute, a 501c3 non-profit

08/30/2025

🛫 Overcome Your Fear of Flying with Virtual Reality, Real-Time Biofeedback, and CBT 🛫
Is flying causing you anxiety? Long lines, hidden fees, security checks, and delays can make air travel feel overwhelming. At Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC), we offer a unique, three-pronged approach to help you conquer your fear of flying.
Our program combines:
• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: Simulate flying experiences in a safe, controlled environment to practice facing your fears.
• Real-Time Biofeedback: Track your heart rate and breath rate while flying virtually, so you can understand and manage your stress responses.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Address the automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) behind your fear.
Together, these techniques provide a powerful tool for managing anxiety and building confidence for real-world flying.
Ready to take control of your fear? Visit vrphobia.com to learn more or email us to book your appointment.

Virtual Reality, Biofeedback & Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for 25 years. Phobias, Anxiety, Stress, Pain, Health Psychology - California, Virginia, Belgium.| |

02/17/2025

A Breakthrough in PTSD Treatment: Virtual Reality Meets Physiological Monitoring

Proud to announce the publication of my latest paper, "Virtual Reality Therapy Combined with Physiological Monitoring Provides Effective Treatment with Objective Metrics for PTSD."
Why This Matters:
✅ VR therapy provides safe, immersive exposure to trauma-related experiences.
✅ Real-time physiological monitoring enhances personalization and tracks progress.
✅ This approach reduces avoidance behaviors, a key challenge in PTSD treatment.
Technology is changing mental health care for the better—giving patients more effective and measurable recovery paths.

👉 Read more here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17434440.2025.2454930

Published in Expert Review of Medical Devices (Ahead of Print, 2025)

12/14/2024

In my latest editorial, "Monuments and Memorials: A Role for Artificial Intelligence in the Grieving Process," I examine how AI tools like voice replication and digital avatars can help the bereaved reconnect with memories of loved ones.
While this technology can bring comfort, it also prompts us to reflect on the ethical challenges it introduces. How do we ensure these tools are used with care and respect for the grieving process?https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/epub/10.1089/cyber.2024.0415


I’d love to hear your thoughts—can AI truly assist in navigating grief, or does it risk prolonging the pain?

11/19/2024

Virtual Reality Medical Center: Overcoming Phobias with Innovation: VR, Biofeedback & CBT
For those struggling with phobias like fear of flying, heights, needles, or blood, there's a new path forward. Imagine stepping into a Virtual Reality environment that mimics the very scenarios you fear most, with real-time biofeedback and cognitive strategies by your side. This innovative blend of VR, biofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a safe and supportive way to face fears head-on.
Each treatment is carefully tailored: VR allows for controlled exposure, biofeedback gives insight into bodily responses, and CBT guides you in reframing anxious thoughts. Together, they create a powerful toolkit for lasting change.

We understand that each person's experience with fear, anxiety, and stress is unique. That’s why we offer a bespoke approach to mental health—similar to concierge medicine. Using advanced methods like Virtual Reality (VR) exposure, biofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we create individualized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s overcoming a fear of flying, heights, or managing performance anxiety.
Our approach allows for flexibility and depth in treatment that is not limited by insurance panel restrictions. This means we work directly with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your goals, not pre-set limits.
If you’re seeking a tailored, highly supportive environment to overcome phobias or manage stress, reach out to learn how our approach can help you build confidence, resilience, and lasting change. https://www.vrphobia.com

11/19/2024

Overcoming Phobias with Innovation: VR, Biofeedback, and CBT
https://www.vrphobia.com

For those struggling with phobias like fear of flying, heights, needles, or blood, there's a new path forward.

Imagine stepping into a Virtual Reality environment that mimics the very scenarios you fear most, with real-time biofeedback and cognitive strategies by your side. This innovative blend of VR, biofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a safe and supportive way to face fears head-on.

Each treatment is carefully tailored: VR allows for controlled exposure, biofeedback gives insight into bodily responses, and CBT guides you in reframing anxious thoughts. Together, they create a powerful toolkit for lasting change.

11/17/2024

💡 New Publication Alert 💡
I’m excited to share my editorial, "Shadows of Conflict: Addressing Moral Injury in Peacekeeping Missions," featured in Online at , Behavior, and Social Networking.
face ethical dilemmas that can lead to moral injury, with lasting mental, social, and spiritual impacts. This piece discusses how innovative tools like and holistic approaches can provide crucial support.
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2024.0500
What else can we do to safeguard the well-being of peacekeepers?

09/09/2023

https://www.scripps.org/news_items/7657-the-surprising-health-benefits-of-blue-spaces

When you can't make it to the real beach, try

04/18/2023

Dr. Brenda K. Wiederhold recently had an article published in The California Psychologist. In this article, she covers ten aspects of VR that have the capability to improve patient care and outcomes. Click here to read the article in The California Psychologist!

09/27/2022

https://www.mdlinx.com/article/what-is-femtech-and-how-is-it-changing-women-s-healthcare/NMgVLX7P8M8D9NHpLTKkI According to an article published by and
the term was coined by Ida Tin, who created a period and ovulation tracking app in Germany in 2013 called Clue
[1] Since then, has continued to expand.

Digital technologies that cater specifically to women’s health issues offer a novel alternative to mainstream medicine.

01/14/2022

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/could-virtual-reality-ease-the-burden-of-coronavirus-isolation/99566/ can help us with the anxiety and stress we may feel due to re-entry as well.

New research highlights how virtual reality could help ease the burden of the coronavirus crisis.

04/26/2020

01/13/2020

https://cbti.directory/index.php/search-for-a-provider

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a pretty remarkable thing. With regard to treatment, it has been shown that pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia have comparable efficacy in the short term and that only CBT-I has durable effects upon treatment discontinuation. CBT-I is a short term intervention where up to 70% of subjects exhibit a treatment response and nearly 40% recover good sleep. In addition, there is emerging evidence that CBT-I also produces significant clinical gains with respect to comorbid conditions. For example, CBT-I in combination with escitalopram (vs. escitalopram alone) doubles response and remission rates in depression and produces substantial reductions in suicidal ideation. There is also emerging evidence that CBT-I affects pain tolerance and quality of life indicators in patients with chronic pain. With respect to medical disorders, treatment for insomnia holds the promise of having positive effects on hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. Given the exceptional attributes of CBT-I, it is not surprising (though still pretty remarkable) that the American College of Physicians recently recommend that CBT-I be the first line treatment for Chronic Insomnia.

10/31/2018

VR (Virtual Reality) Healthcare: an exciting new frontier: http://ow.ly/4oM730mixrc Virtual Reality Medical Center

08/30/2018

Want to visit family or friends, or just visit new places? We've been using Virtual Reality for the past 22 years to help those with Anxiety and Stress-related disorders, including Fear of Flying, Driving, and Subways. Email us at [email protected]. We're conveniently located on the Scripps Memorial Hospital Campus in La Jolla.

06/27/2018

Thank you Dennis to all the work you do for those with

“Why get? Dr Wood gives us some keys. ”

06/26/2018

Just got the news on in time to report it in the opening session ..our impact Factor went up again this year...2.689!!! Great job team!!!