Using Virtual Reality to Master Emotional Regulation

By Anam Adil, Contributing Author

Picture this: It’s the first day of high school. Your stomach churns with nervous jitters, anxiety creeps in, and your mind races. Who will talk to you? Where do you fit in? Now, imagine if you could prepare for this moment beforehand, stepping into the experience in a controlled, immersive way. With virtual reality (VR), this is becoming possible. By simulating emotionally charged experiences, VR provides a safe space to practice emotion regulation skills, build confidence, and enhance mental resilience.

Emotion regulation is the ability to manage and adjust emotional responses. It is a fundamental skill for mental well-being. However, learning this skill is inherently challenging. It requires exposure to emotionally charged social situations, real-time awareness of psychological and physiological states, and repeated practice in reframing interpretations of different scenarios. In her TEDxSFU talk, Dr. Alexandra Kitson highlights how VR offers a groundbreaking solution to these challenges, providing immersive experiences that facilitate emotional learning in ways traditional methods cannot.

A Powerful Tool for Adolescents

Adolescence is a critical time for emotional and social development. Dr. Alexandra Kitson, in her TEDxSFU talk, highlights VR’s potential to help teenagers navigate social challenges in a controlled environment. Whether preparing for the first day of high school, handling peer pressure, or managing public speaking anxiety, VR enables adolescents to experience their emotional reactions and refine their coping strategies. By repeatedly engaging in these simulations, teenagers can build resilience and confidence, better equipping them for real-world challenges.

The Power of Safe, Intense Experiences

Like athletes who use mental imagery to enhance performance, individuals can use VR to simulate and regulate intense emotional reactions. VR provides a safe space to experience difficult emotions without real-world consequences, allowing for targeted, high-impact training.

How VR Enhances Emotion Regulation

Dr. Kitson’s research explores how VR can support emotion regulation by offering:

• Realistic Emotional Scenarios: Users practice regulation techniques in lifelike situations.

• Instant Feedback: Advanced VR systems track physiological markers, such as heart rate and breathing, offering real-time insights.

• Cognitive Reframing Opportunities: Repeated exposure to different scenarios strengthens users’ ability to reinterpret and manage emotions effectively.

• Full Embodiment: Unlike passive screen-based methods, VR’s immersive nature fosters a heightened sense of presence, making emotional practice more impactful.

• Preparation for Real-Life Challenges: From high school anxieties to high-pressure social interactions, VR helps individuals build confidence through repeated exposure.

The Future of VR in Mental Health

As VR technology advances, its potential in mental health care continues to expand. From exposure therapy for anxiety disorders to immersive mindfulness environments, VR offers a transformative platform for emotional and psychological growth. By integrating VR into therapeutic practices, we can create more effective, personalized, and engaging mental health interventions.

Dr. Kitson’s work exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can revolutionize emotional well-being. As research progresses, the question is no longer whether VR can aid emotion regulation, but how we can optimize its use to empower individuals on their mental health journeys.

References 

1. Colombo, D., Díaz-García, A., Fernandez-Álvarez, J., & Botella, C. (2021). Virtual reality for the enhancement of emotion regulation. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 28(3), 519–537. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2618

   
   

2. TEDx Talks. (2022). How we can use virtual reality to support our mental health | Alexandra Kitson | TEDxSFU. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stQfsauqIP4