Call for Attendance - Virtual Reality Assisted Exposure Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of PTSD and Related Conditions

[James Cullen]

Virtual Reality Assisted Exposure Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of PTSD and Related Conditions

February 12th, 2011
9 AM - 5 PM
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
Newport Beach, California

Organizers:
Interactive Media Institute
International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, & Rehabilitation’s Military Special Interest Group

Speakers:
James L. Spira, PhD, MPH, ABPP

Description:
Sponsored by the Interactive Media Institute and the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training, & Rehabilitation’s Military Special Interest Group (iACToR), the aim of this American Psychological Association Continuing Education (APA-CE) workshop is to introduce clinicians to the use of Virtual Reality systems and physiological monitoring in order to facilitate exposure-based treatment of PTSD, including combat and civilian in origin. Three major approaches to exposure will be discussed, with strengths and weaknesses of each reviewed and demonstrated. These include approaches that emphasize:

1. Maintaining Maximum Exposure/Arousal (such as Prolonged Exposure)
2. Gradual Exposure (such as Systematic Desensitization and Biofeedback)
3. Training in attentional engagement and arousal control in order to control one's reactivity to arousing stimuli (such as Stress Inoculation Training).

All three have the intention to reduce posttraumatic stress, improve sleep and social engagement, and return to work functioning. Cognitive (attentional) and autonomic control techniques will be taught to be able to be used with a variety of therapeutic modalities, and for inter-session practice by patients. The use of imagery as a supplement to or in place of VR will be taught for clinicians without access to VR equipment. Hands-on demonstrations of the VR and physiological protocol will be included.

8-hours of APA Continuing Education credits will be provided to all in attendance at the end of the meeting!

Registration:
To register and be a part of this exciting event, please visit the link:
http://bit.ly/ib6efn