Virtual reality therapy has been used to help people with a variety of fears and phobias. The Duke University Virtual Reality Treatment (VRT) Program offers therapy for anxiety disorders related to fear of heights, elevators, thunderstorm, public speaking and flying. Participants are placed in computer –generated three-dimensional world that gives them a sense of presence in the virtual environment. The experience is guided by a therapist who can interact with them throughout the therapy. Virtual reality therapy has several advantages over recreating experience in real life, including the ability to control the environment, to schedule treatment, to repeat scenarios, and to adjust scenarios to improve treatment. Also, it may have insurance benefits as some insurance will not cover the extended time needed for exposure therapy in person – virtual reality therapy often requires much less time.

Researchers are also using virtual reality in job interview training for people with severe mental illness. These groups of people have very low employment rates and the job interview often presents a major barrier to competitive employment. Research so far is promising. One study of individuals with severe mental illness found that virtual reality job interview training leads to increased job offers and less time searching to employment.