Why Virtual Reality Therapy Isn't Taking Off Among Mental Health Professionals

Virtual reality technology has shown remarkable promise in treating mental health conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and phobias. Research consistently demonstrates that VR therapy can be as effective as traditional treatments, often with added benefits like increased accessibility and patient preference. Yet despite this evidence, a comprehensive study of Austrian mental health professionals reveals a surprising reality: hardly anyone is actually using it.

The Numbers Tell a Story

In a survey of nearly 700 clinical psychologists and psychotherapists in Austria, researchers found that only 1.4% currently use VR in their practice. That translates to just 10 professionals out of the entire sample. Even more telling, only about one in five expressed any interest in using VR for future treatments, while nearly 80% said they had no intention of adopting the technology.

This stark disconnect between scientific evidence and real world implementation highlights the complex challenges facing new therapeutic technologies as they attempt to move from research labs into everyday clinical practice.

What's Holding Professionals Back

The research identified four main categories of barriers preventing wider VR adoption, each revealing different aspects of the implementation challenge.

Knowledge and Training Gaps

Perhaps most surprisingly, many mental health professionals simply don't know enough about VR to make informed decisions about its use. Some participants admitted they weren't even familiar with what VR means, while others had heard of it but lacked understanding of how it applies to therapy. This knowledge gap extends beyond basic awareness to include unfamiliarity with research evidence, training requirements, and practical applications.

The lack of formal training opportunities compounds this problem. Mental health professionals expressed interest in learning more about VR but noted the absence of quality educational programs. Without proper training, even interested professionals feel unprepared to integrate VR into their practice safely and effectively.

Financial Barriers Loom Large

Cost concerns emerged as another significant obstacle. Professionals cited high upfront expenses for equipment and software, ongoing maintenance costs, and the lack of insurance reimbursement for VR treatments. Many questioned whether the investment would be worthwhile, particularly given their limited understanding of VR's potential applications.

Self employed therapists appeared especially vulnerable to these financial constraints, lacking the institutional support that might help offset costs. The research showed that employed professionals or those with mixed employment arrangements expressed more interest in VR than their purely self employed counterparts.

Therapeutic Concerns Run Deep

Some of the strongest resistance came from concerns about VR's impact on therapy itself. Mental health professionals worried that VR might interfere with the therapeutic relationship, which they view as fundamental to successful treatment. They expressed concerns about maintaining eye contact and personal connection while patients wear VR headsets.

Additionally, many professionals felt VR wasn't suitable for their therapeutic approach or patient population. This perception often stemmed from a narrow understanding of VR applications, with many associating the technology primarily with exposure therapy for phobias rather than its broader potential uses.

Technology Still Feels Immature

Despite significant advances in VR technology over recent years, many professionals still view it as clunky, unreliable, or prone to side effects. Concerns about cybersickness, equipment failures, and poor image quality persist, suggesting that technological improvements haven't fully addressed earlier generation problems.

The lack of technical support and user friendly software designed specifically for therapeutic use further discourages adoption. Even the few professionals currently using VR expressed wishes for better quality, more intuitive programs.

Professional Differences Matter

The study revealed interesting patterns in who shows interest in VR therapy. Younger professionals demonstrated more openness to the technology, while those with prior personal experience using VR were significantly more likely to consider therapeutic applications.

Professional training also influenced attitudes. Clinical psychologists showed more interest than psychotherapists, possibly reflecting their more frequent employment in institutional settings with greater resources and technical support. Among different therapeutic orientations, behavioral therapists expressed the most enthusiasm, likely because VR aligns well with exposure therapy techniques central to behavioral approaches.

Interestingly, gender showed no relationship to VR interest, contradicting assumptions about technology adoption patterns between men and women in healthcare settings.

Addressing these barriers requires coordinated efforts across multiple fronts. Educational institutions could integrate VR training into mental health curricula, while continuing education programs could help practicing professionals develop necessary skills and knowledge.

Financial obstacles might be addressed through institutional support, insurance coverage expansion, or cost reduction as the technology matures. Improved software designed specifically for therapeutic applications, along with better technical support, could address many technological concerns.

Perhaps most importantly, addressing misconceptions about VR's role in therapy requires targeted education that demonstrates how the technology can enhance rather than replace human connection in treatment. This might involve showcasing diverse applications beyond exposure therapy and providing opportunities for hands on experience with current generation equipment.

Looking Ahead

The slow adoption of VR therapy reflects broader challenges in implementing evidence based innovations in mental healthcare. While the technology shows clear promise for treating various conditions, realizing that potential requires overcoming significant practical, educational, and motivational barriers.

The research suggests that many mental health professionals remain open to learning about VR, even if they aren't currently using it. This openness provides a foundation for future implementation efforts, particularly if they address the specific concerns and barriers identified in this study.

As VR technology continues to evolve and educational resources improve, the gap between research evidence and clinical practice may gradually close. However, this process will require sustained effort from researchers, educators, technology developers, and healthcare systems working together to support mental health professionals in adopting these innovative tools.

Felnhofer, A., Pfannerstill, F., Gänsler, L., Kothgassner, O. D., Humer, E., Büttner, J., & Probst, T. (2025). Barriers to adopting therapeutic virtual reality: the perspective of clinical psychologists and psychotherapists. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1549090.