Automating EMDR Mental Health Treatment in Virtual Reality

EMDR is a proven psychotherapy for treating phobias and trauma, yet access is severely limited due to a shortage of trained therapists and long waiting times. To address these challenges, this paper presents the development of a VR-based EMDR application that automates therapy delivery while maintaining clinical rigour and patient engagement for phobia treatment. The system incorporates therapist-informed designs, naturalistic virtual environments, and game-inspired interaction mechanics to enhance usability and immersion. The application follows a comprehensive EMDR protocol, integrating features such as bilateral stimulation through an interactive metronome, intuitive free-hand interactions, and calming environments tailored to therapeutic needs. Patient safety and autonomy are prioritised through safeguards like pacing controls and customisable therapy experiences. A cloud-based data management system supports remote therapist monitoring and treatment evaluation. A five-day pilot study evaluated the system’s feasibility and usability. Quantitative results indicated reductions in SUD and increases in VOC scores, with four out of five participants achieving subclinical phobia levels on the IAPT Phobia Scale. Qualitative feedback highlighted the system’s accessibility, calming design, and potential to enhance patient confidence in managing phobias. These findings underscore the potential of VR-based solutions for delivering accessible and scalable psychotherapy. Future work will explore applications for complex mental health conditions and validate the system’s efficacy through large-scale clinical trials.