If you find opening up to a therapist too daunting, new research shows you're not alone -- and you might soon have a new option.

The Edith Cowan University (ECU) study found 30 per cent of people prefer to talk about negative experiences with a virtual reality avatar, rather than a person. Researchers compared social interactions where people engaged in VR conversation versus face-to-face.

"The study found that 30 per cent of people preferred disclosing negative experiences via VR. This means that therapy might be opened up to new people who don't feel comfortable with traditional face-to-face interactions.

"It might also enable therapists to conduct therapy more effectively at a distance, as a person can be in the therapist room (in virtual reality) while seated in their own home." Psychology and communication researcher Dr Shane Rogers said.

Source: Science Daily

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220105111424.htm