Creation of a Virtual Reality Application for Remote Exposure Therapy in Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

This paper describes the design and development of a self-guided VR application for remote exposure therapy targeting social anxiety disorder (SAD), referred to as FaceTheCrowd VR. It focuses on the design of interactive virtual environments and non-player characters enabling gradual exposure to socially challenging situations. The application is structured as a level-based experience in which users progress through scenarios of increasing social complexity within a simulated environment. The design of the exposure scenarios was based on previous studies identifying common anxiety-provoking social situations in individuals with SAD. The paper discusses the design considerations behind the virtual environments, character interactions, and technical implementation of the system, and outlines how these elements support the therapeutic goals of exposure therapy.