Developing a Virtual Reality-assisted Intervention for Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Psychosis

Supporting people with psychosis to manage their emotions using virtual reality

Many people who have experienced psychosis feel overwhelmed by their emotions. Emotions get in the way of doing what matters to them. They want support to manage emotions differently. There is evidence that people with psychosis find talking therapies that teach skills for managing emotions helpful. People said it helped them to understand and manage their emotions. However, they also wanted more help to apply skills they learned to their lives.

It is hard to help people to use therapy skills in real-life situations. Therapists cannot be present when the skills are needed. One solution is to use virtual reality (VR) to bridge the gap between the clinic and real-life. VR involves using a headset to see and hear a very life-like computer-generated simulation of everyday life situations. People with psychosis find VR therapies engaging and helpful. It can feel safer to try things out in VR.

Guided by the feedback of people with psychosis, this research will evaluate a novel therapy to help people with psychosis manage their emotions. Face-to- face therapy will be combined with VR so that people can practice emotion regulation skills safely with "live" coaching from a therapist. This should support people to use these skills when they need them.

Fifteen people with psychosis will be offered the therapy. Everyone will be asked what they think of it and complete questionnaires before and after therapy to see what impact it had on their lives.

A lived experience advisory group will support all aspects of the research process.