Facing Fear: Can Virtual Reality Cure Phobias?

A new virtual reality treatment developed in New Zealand is offering hope to people living with debilitating phobias and anxiety, using immersive technology to recreate the situations they fear most. Speaking on Newstalk ZB’s “Nutters Club”, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explored how exposure therapy is evolving through personalized VR exposure therapy powered by generative AI. Kiwi tech company oVRcome are leading the charge. Founder Adam Hutchinson said the idea for the company emerged during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, when he recognised the untapped therapeutic potential of VR headsets. Hutchinson, who struggled with severe social anxiety as a teenager, said traditional exposure therapy could take years and was difficult for many people to access. “Seventy-two percent of people who need exposure therapy never actually get it, because it’s too hard and takes too long,” Hutchinson said. The company which is a finalist at the 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, has conducted clinical trials with the University of Otago, achieving promising results. Hutchinson said participants using the platform experienced an average 75 percent reduction in symptoms across five specific phobias after six weeks. A second trial focused on social anxiety reported a 50 percent reduction in severity after 18 weeks. oVRcome  has now delivered more than 115,000 exposure sessions across 64 countries and is working with almost 1,900 clinicians worldwide. During the programme, Williams tested the technology himself using a VR recreation of the crown of the Statue of Liberty, the site of a previous panic attack triggered by his fear of heights. Guided  by MacDonald, Williams practised breathing exercises and relaxation techniques while immersed in the virtual environment. MacDonald explained that exposure therapy works by gradually helping people confront feared situations without becoming overwhelmed. “The aim is to get ourselves into that situation that provokes fear, not escaping, but also not flooding ourselves to the point of panic,” he said. Listeners also shared their own experiences with phobias on air. One caller described overcoming a lifelong fear of snakes after handling one at an Australian zoo, while another spoke about vivid imagery linked to anxiety and recurring fears. The discussion highlighted how phobias can range from mild discomfort to life-limiting conditions, and how new technologies may help make treatment more accessible for people reluctant or unable to seek traditional therapy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.