University uses VR technology in psychological counseling

BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- After preparing for more than two years, Beihang University has unveiled a laboratory applying virtual reality Technology as a therapeutic tool for better mental health, China Education Daily reported.

In the laboratory, therapists place people wearing a VR headset in a virtual environment that causes them stress or a phobia and then help them work through the anxiety.

"Compared with conventional practices, VR Technology reconstructs scenes and settings that are stressful for people, freeing patients from recalling terrifying and traumatic memories in psychological counseling," said Li Weihua, one of the research staff in the laboratory.

Currently, the Beijing-based university is developing more applicable virtual scenes for therapy practices, the report said.