ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the uses of virtual reality (VR) in treating multiple forms of blood-injection-injury (BII) phobia. Clients with this phobia often avoid vaccinations and postpone or avoid needed mental or dental care. Female clients may dread the medical procedures involved in pregnancy or fertility procedures such as in vitro fertilization. The chapter explains how to apply the anxiety cycle model (explained in Chapter 2) to BII phobia, how to distinguish this phobia from common comorbid conditions, and what virtual reality therapy (VRT) of BII phobia may involve. Several common fears and misconceptions are addressed. Treatment challenges are examined including clients who faint, finding relevant VR material, addressing the realistic likelihood of pain, and working to prevent relapse. Applied muscle tension can help clients who actually faint as a result of BII phobia. A case example of successful VRT illustrates the principles discussed in the chapter.
