Introduction

This chapter presents the discussion and interpretation of the data gathered from interviews with both Filipino medical practitioners and the patient who have experience with Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT). The goal was to understand how Virtual Reality Therapy compares to traditional exposure therapy, what the treatment process is like in the Philippine setting, and what possible benefits and drawbacks it presents, especially for those dealing with anxiety, PTSD, and phobias. Instead of just presenting the interview responses, this section connects the findings to relevant theories and explores how Virtual Reality Therapy fits into the local therapeutic landscape.

What is the difference between Virtual Reality Therapy and traditional exposure therapy that is practiced in the Philippines?

Interviews with medical practitioners revealed that traditional exposure therapy is one of the main forms of therapy in the Philippines. It is often conducted through in-person sessions using controlled exposure, talk therapy, or guided recall. This method requires the patient to engage with distressing stimuli directly or through imagination, under the supervision of a trained professional. Traditional therapy relies heavily on verbal processing and rapport, which are essential to emotional healing and building trust, particularly in Filipino cultural contexts where personal connection and interpersonal support are valued. Overall, traditional therapy is noted to be more accessible to all classes due to its lowered technological costs Additionally, it is already standardized in its usage in comparison to its more modern counterpart.

Virtual Reality Therapy, in comparison to Traditional Therapy, offers a new layer of interaction through immersive digital environments. The technology creates simulated scenarios that allow
patients to face fears or trauma triggers without leaving the therapy room. This aligns with classical conditioning theory, where repeated controlled exposure helps desensitize the patient to the feared stimuli, reducing their anxiety over time. Emotional processing theory also plays a role, as Virtual Reality Therapy enables patients to re-experience and reframe traumatic memories in a safe, controlled setting, potentially helping them integrate difficult emotions more effectively. Medical practitioners cite the following as usages that VR Therapy can be applicable for; Physical rehabilitation, Drug or Substance Abuse rehabilitation, Psychotherapy, Speech Therapy, and Professional Counselling in its varying forms. It is also noted to be costlier, possibly limiting its usage to only upper-class citizens.

From the patient’s interview, Virtual Reality Therapy was often described as less intimidating and more engaging than traditional methods. A patient found it particularly beneficial because it introduced “joy and excitement,” a stark contrast to the often emotionally-overwhelming tone of standard therapy. The patient also noted how Virtual Reality Therapy helped shift their perspective on therapy itself. These experiential elements suggest that Virtual Reality Therapy may offer unique advantages in promoting motivation and patient willingness to participate in treatment, which is crucial in anxiety-related conditions.

However, while the digital setting provides flexibility and comfort, medical practitioners were clear that Virtual Reality Therapy lacks some elements of traditional therapy, such as direct human empathy and spontaneous therapeutic conversations. This distinction reflects a core issue in the Philippine setting: while Virtual Reality Therapy can enhance therapy, it is not a full replacement for human connection and tailored communication and is best done with guidance by a professional.

What is the process of Virtual Reality Therapy in the Philippines?

Currently, there is no formalized or standardized procedure for how Virtual Reality Therapy is conducted in the Philippines. The implementation depends heavily on the institution, available tools, and the practitioners’ experience. From the interviews, most medical practitioners reported that Virtual Reality Therapy begins with a patient assessment to determine suitability, including their comfort with digital tools and potential sensitivity to motion or enclosed spaces. This echoes insights from the literature on classical conditioning, where readiness and consistency are crucial for effective desensitization.

A recurring issue is the lack of structure during and after the session. While some clinics offer reflection or debriefing after the immersive experience, others do not have formal post-session discussions. This is critical when evaluated through emotional processing theory, which emphasizes the need for guided reflection to help patients integrate emotional responses. Without this, patients may struggle to make sense of their experiences or may not fully benefit from the desensitization process. Considerations needed to keep in mind are the severity of said condition, technological experience (casually referred to as “tech-savviness”), physical conditions, and price accessibility.

The patient’s response highlighted varying levels of familiarity with Virtual Reality Therapy. Interestingly, a patient had their first exposure to immersive virtual environments outside a clinical setting which is in a hotel gym using VR-enhanced stationary bikes. This shows a growing public curiosity around VR tools but also underlines a gap: clinical Virtual Reality Therapy remains unfamiliar or inaccessible to many. Once formally introduced to Virtual Reality Therapy, the patient emphasized the importance of preparation and comprehension before,
during, and after the sessions, aligning with what medical practitioners described as best practice — though not always consistently applied.

Another major issue is the sourcing of equipment. All the Virtual Reality Therapy systems mentioned in the interviews were imported from international developers, though no specific countries were cited. This creates problems in cultural relatability, language barriers, and the emotional effectiveness of the simulations. The environments often do not reflect Filipino realities, which limits the therapy’s relevance and resonance. Without culturally grounded content, the emotional triggers and healing process might feel artificial or disconnected.

In short, while the general Virtual Reality Therapy process does exist, it lacks unified guidelines, cultural localization, and consistent post-session processing. These limitations must be addressed to ensure that Virtual Reality Therapy is as emotionally and therapeutically effective as possible for Filipino patients.

What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of Virtual Reality Therapy for patients with anxiety, PTSD, and phobias?

Based on the interviews, Virtual Reality Therapy presents multiple potential benefits that make it a promising tool in addressing anxiety, PTSD, and phobias. Its immersive nature allows patients to confront their fears in a setting that feels real but remains safe. According to emotional processing theory, this repeated re-experiencing of feared stimuli can help patients reframe and reprocess the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional intensity. From the perspective of classical conditioning, the virtual environment can serve as a controlled platform for gradual exposure, allowing for the extinction of fear responses.

The patient noted that being placed in virtual environments made sessions more interactive and enjoyable. One shared that they felt excited rather than anxious before their first session, emphasizing that the experience helped them see therapy in a more positive light. In addition, they described the immersive aspect as “fun” and “memorable,” stating it helped them focus more than they would in a traditional setup.

Medical practitioners also observed that Virtual Reality Therapy could offer more consistent exposure levels and better control over the treatment environment compared to real-life settings. It is particularly useful for scenarios that are hard to recreate in person, such as fear of flying or certain social anxieties.

However, several drawbacks were also identified. For one, according to the medical practitioners, the patients sometimes experienced cybersickness or discomfort from the headset. More commonly, both the patient and medical practitioners pointed out the lack of Filipino language support and culturally relevant content. It was also pointed out by the medical practitioners that when the scenarios feel too foreign, patients may find it difficult to emotionally connect with the experience, which undermines the therapeutic goal of emotional processing.

Accessibility is another key issue. Virtual Reality Therapy is still not widely available in the Philippines, and the cost of the equipment and training poses a barrier to both institutions and patients. The patient interview noted that they only encountered Virtual Reality Therapy in a non-medical environment and hoped it would be adopted more in local hospitals. This comment reflects a broader issue: while interest in Virtual Reality Therapy is growing, its reach and integration into mainstream Philippine health care remains limited.

Finally, medical practitioners stressed the importance of integrating Virtual Reality Therapy with traditional therapy, rather than viewing it as a replacement. Without verbal guidance and emotional reflection, the immersive experience may not be enough for deeper emotional recovery, especially for trauma-related disorders.

Conclusion

Virtual Reality Therapy is emerging as a useful tool in addressing mental health concerns like anxiety, PTSD, and phobias, offering immersive experiences that can aid emotional processing and gradual exposure. However, the effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy in the Philippines is currently limited by lack of standardized procedures, minimal cultural localization, inconsistent post-session integration, and accessibility issues.

While the patient interview generally reports positive experiences, including excitement, increased focus, and emotional comfort, there are significant gaps in implementation. These include insufficient emotional processing support, unfamiliar or foreign content, and a disconnect between the technology and Filipino cultural context. Medical practitioners recognize these issues and advocate for Virtual Reality Therapy to be used as a supplementary method alongside traditional approaches.

The insights from this study point to a clear need for greater public awareness, local content development, and practitioner training. Despite these key issues, the study aims to potentially address these with a multimedia project.