Virtual Reality Therapy, What Are We Afraid of?

By Anam Adil, Contributing Author

Picture this: You step into a café, and instead of the usual chatter, you see everyone quietly immersed in their own worlds, wearing VR headsets. At first, it feels strange, like something from a sci-fi movie. But what if I told you that this futuristic scene could be the key to unlocking new ways of treating mental health? Virtual reality therapy is rapidly advancing, showing promise in areas like exposure therapy, social skills training, and mindfulness. Yet, despite its potential, there’s a lingering skepticism. 

One concern, raised by psychologist Steven Pinker in a recent Harvard Magazine article, is that VR struggles to replicate one of the most fundamental aspects of human connection: eye contact.

Eye contact, Pinker explains, creates “common knowledge”: a shared understanding that allows people to build trust, communicate more effectively, and coordinate socially. When we look into someone’s eyes, we recognize not just their gaze but the mutual awareness that forms in that moment. It’s an intricate loop of recognition, one that is almost impossible to replicate with digital avatars. No matter how realistic VR therapy becomes, this gap in human interaction raises the question: What are we afraid of losing when we turn to virtual environments for mental health care? Can VR really replace the essential human connection we get from real-world interactions? Are we willing to trade the comfort of eye contact, body language, and the trust built from face-to-face communication for a digital experience?

The Power and Limits of VR Therapy

VR therapy has shown immense promise in exposure therapy, guided meditation, and social skills training. It offers safe, controlled environments where individuals can confront fears, practice coping mechanisms, or experience calming virtual worlds. Yet, as Pinker’s point highlights, VR lacks the subtle, unconscious cues that make real-world human interactions so powerful.

For patients struggling with social anxiety or PTSD, real-life therapeutic relationships hinge on trust, built moment by moment through small but meaningful exchanges like eye contact, body language, and vocal inflections. While VR excels at providing immersive scenarios, does it risk flattening the depth of human connection in the process? Some argue that VR will never replace human relationships but rather serve as a bridge by helping patients build confidence in simulated environments before applying those skills in real life.

At the same time, we must acknowledge what’s missing. A therapist’s gentle nod, a patient’s nervous but steadying eye contact, these moments matter. Another concern is if VR therapy becomes more widespread, could it unintentionally deprioritize the irreplaceable aspects of in-person therapy? VR therapy, no matter how advanced, cannot yet fully replicate these crucial interactions. So, while it’s a powerful tool, it should be used as an enhancement to traditional therapy, not a substitute.

Moving Forward with Caution

Rather than dismissing VR therapy over its limitations, we should embrace its strengths while recognizing where it falls short. The future of mental health treatment likely lies in a hybrid approach that leverages VR for specific interventions while preserving the irreplaceable elements of human connection.

What do you think? Would you feel comfortable seeking therapy in a virtual space, or do you think something essential would be best? Let’s start the conversation.

References:

1. Farrar, O. (2025, January 23). The Psychology of Virtual Reality | Harvard Magazine. Harvard Magazine. https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/01/harvard-steven-pinker-psychology-virtual-reality-meta-quest-headset

2. Syrjämäki, A. H., Isokoski, P., Surakka, V., Pasanen, T. P., & Hietanen, J. K. (2020). Eye contact in virtual reality – A psychophysiological study. Computers in Human Behavior, 112, 106454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106454