Healing Potential of Virtual Reality: An Introductory Workshop
Host: NewPathVR
Date: Saturday, March 10, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
CE Credits: 2.5 hrs
Participants: 15 max (to be added to mailing list, email Bruce Pither, Ph.D. at drpither@gmail.com)
Price: $45 per person (+ $15 for CE credits)
Location: NewPathVR HQ, 1535 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Register: Healing Potential of Virtual Reality: An Introductory Workshop - 3/10/2018
“We conclude that VR has the potential to transform the assessment, understanding and treatment of mental health problems...The capability of VR to simulate reality could greatly increase access to psychological therapies, while treatment outcomes could be enhanced by the technology's ability to create new realities.” - Dr. Daniel Freeman, PhD
Workshop Description: In this workshop participants will learn and experience first-hand the healing potential of virtual reality as a tool for psychological repatterning and expanding consciousness.
Disclaimer: In a small number of people (up to 3% of the population according to one Harvard study) Virtual Reality has been associated with adverse physical reactions, such as nausea or what can be intense anxiety. Users should always follow hardware instructions and use virtual reality headsets only in safe and contained environments to reduce the risk of injury or discomfort. Instructors will review safety precautions with students prior to use. By signing up for this workshop, you agree to waive all claims, and hold The San Francisco and California State Psychological Associations harmless, in respect of personal injury that you might suffer or cause to others as a result of your participation in the workshop.
Agenda:
10:00 am Welcome + Introduction
10:30 am Experience VR Applications
11:15 am Break for snacks and drinks
11:30 am Break out into process groups for reflection
12:30 pm Closing circle
Hardware:
Participants will be using Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets and controllers
Learning Objectives:
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Learn how to use a VR headset and controllers
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Learn about the healing potential of VR for the assessment and treatment of psychological conditions
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Learn how to induce elevated states of consciousness in VR space
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Learn how to embody emotions, sensations, ineffable experiences in VR space
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Learn how to teach embodiment through states of intentional disembodiment
Bio of Facilitator:
Michelle Wang, PsyD (www.doctormichellewang.com)
Michelle is an Emotional Intelligence (EQ) coach and traumatologist. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and has been trained in state-of-the-art clinical settings including VA medical centers, centers for survivors of torture, and center for survivors of genocide. For the last decade, Michelle has specialized in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. With her extensive research and clinical background, Michelle has been an international trauma consultant for various disaster-relief organizations, assisting with the development of a somatic, body-centered treatment protocol aimed to mitigate the effects of PTSD in school-aged children. Michelle has advanced training in Attachment Theory, Somatic Psychotherapy, Jungian Psychology, Mindfulness and Meditation, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Relational and Interpersonal frameworks, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies, and Time-Limited Psychodynamic Therapy (TLDP). She is co-founder of NewPathVR.
Contact:
Bruce F Pither, Ph.D.
415-694-0254
drpither@gmail.com
Bibliography:
Freeman, D., Reeve, S., Robinson, A., Ehlers, A., Clark, D., Spanlang, B., & Slater, M. (2017). Virtual reality in the assessment, understanding, and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychological medicine, 47(14), 2393-2400.
Falconer, C. J., Slater, M., Rovira, A., King, J. A., Gilbert, P., Antley, A., & Brewin, C. R. (2014). Embodying compassion: a virtual reality paradigm for overcoming excessive self-criticism. PloS one, 9(11), e111933.
Cheung, K. L., Tunik, E., Adamovich, S. V., & Boyd, L. A. (2014). Neuroplasticity and virtual reality. In Virtual Reality for Physical and Motor Rehabilitation (pp. 5-24). Springer New York.
CPA is co-sponsoring with SFPA. The California Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
Important Notice: Those who attend the workshop and complete the CPA evaluation form will receive 2.5 continuing education credits (course approved). Please note that APA CE rules require that we only give credit to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.
Attendance certificates will be emailed, please make sure your email address is entered accurately. Thank you