Research
Therapy with Virtual Reality
About Research
In my research, I focus on integrating virtual reality with exposure therapy. Specifically, I am investigating the gap in research surrounding the delivery of VR therapy remotely and the optimization of VR environments for therapeutic purposes.
My primary goal is to develop a virtual collaborative psychotherapeutic platform designed to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for specific phobias.
Methodology
Project Goal
A fully functional application enabling psychotherapists and clients to meet within a virtual environment using VR headsets, with dynamic adjustments to exposure scenarios.
Measurement
Tracking participants' physiological responses to the stimuli presented, informed by research demonstrating the value of measuring physiological reactions during exposure therapy.
Are you interested in learning more about my research, would you like a consultation on the topic, or are you interested in research collaboration?
Get in touchPublications
- Kvapil Varšová, K., Chmelík, J., Bílý, V., Janoušek, O., Bartošová, K. K., & Juřík, V. (2026). Therapist-guided virtual reality exposure therapy for fear of heights: Evidence from a multiple-baseline single-case experimental design. Scientific Reports, 16(1), 1-20.
- Kvapil Varšová, K., & Juřík, V. (2026). CBT therapists' attitudes toward virtual reality use in psychotherapy: A brief report from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Frontiers in Psychology, 2026, No. 17.
- Juřík, V., Janoušek, O., & Kvapil Varšová, K. (2024). Platforma pro léčbu fobií ve virtuální realitě [Television broadcast]. Česká televize. Události v regionech.
- Kvapil Varšová, K., & Juřík, V. (2024). Using iVR to deliver optimal psychotherapy experience—Current perspectives on VRET for acrophobia. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1491622.
- Juřík, V., Kvapil Varšová, K., Chmelík, J., & Janoušek, O. (2024). VRET environments architecture: Adjusting immersive virtual environments for psychotherapeutic training. INTED2024 Proceedings.
- Kvapil Varšová, K., & Juřík, V. (2024). Fostering therapeutic alliance and long-term benefits through virtual collaboration in VRET. International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT2024).
- Kvapil Varšová, K., Juřík, V., Szitás, D., Janoušek, O., Jurkovičová, L., Bartošová, K. (2024). Virtual reality exposure effect in acrophobia: Psychological and physiological evidence from a single experimental session. Virtual Reality, 28, 1-14.
- Kvapil Varšová, K., Juřík, V., & Janoušek, O. (2023). Virtual reality in psychotherapy training: Shift towards modern training environments. 15th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies.
- Kvapil Varšová, K., Juřík, V., & Janoušek, O. (2023). Stavová úzkosť po vystavení výškovej situácii vo virtuálnej realite - rola pocitov prítomnosti a stelesnenia.