Innovations in Psychological Therapy (Part I): Virtual Reality, Big Data, Wearables, and Teletherapy

The high-pressure, high-intensity pace of life in modern society has led to the widespread prevalence of various sub-health conditions among the population. It is not only our physical health that suffers; our mental and psychological well-being is also frequently in a suboptimal state. Medical professionals have pointed out that psychological sub-health is merely a step away from mental illness. If left unaddressed, it can significantly worsen, potentially leading to severe depression or even tragic outcomes such as suicide. Therefore, learning how to regulate emotions and maintain a positive mindset has become an essential survival skill for individuals in the modern era.

In fact, since Western scholars established the academic philosophy and methodology of psychology in the early 20th century, psychological counseling has been developing as a practical discipline. After more than a century of historical evolution, new scientific and technological advances have significantly expanded the scope of psychological counseling. It is no longer confined to traditional counseling methods but can also leverage computer technologies to deliver psychotherapy in a more intelligent, accurate, and efficient manner.

Compared with the psychological counseling industry abroad, the overall level of the domestic industry remains in a relatively conservative and traditional model: users undergo psychological assessments, followed by expert intervention, communicative therapy, and treatment until recovery. This process hardly reflects the application of high-tech solutions. Such a gap is closely related to comprehensive factors, including the public’s shallow understanding of the psychology industry, a lack of relevant education, and low acceptance rates.

Below are some cutting-edge and innovative psychological initiatives reported abroad. It is evident that overseas psychological counseling not only provides online remote therapy but also employs various modalities, including virtual reality technology, big data research, smart hardware or wearable devices, and mobile applications.

VR Virtual Reality Technology for the Treatment of Mental Disorders

It is reported that,PsiousPsychological disorders can be treated using virtual reality technology. By leveraging smartphone-based intelligent applications, it creates surreal virtual environments to alleviate or treat anxiety. Within these virtual settings, users gradually lower their defenses, allowing their underlying anxiety to surface. Psious’s technology is compatible with various mobile devices, such as smartphones, enabling remote therapy.

The specific method involves the patient wearing a virtual reality headset and, under the guidance of a psychotherapist, simulating experiences of scenarios that trigger their fear. This approach, akin to “fighting fire with fire,” entails exposing patients to their specific fears in a controlled manner, ultimately helping them overcome psychological barriers and achieve a profound sense of mental relief and renewal.

In fact, the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in treating psychological disorders has a long history, with particularly well-established approaches for treating phobias. As early as the 1990s, psychologist Hodges and his colleagues found that simulating high-altitude environments could help treat acrophobia. Since then, VR exposure therapy has gained widespread popularity.

Simply put, exposure therapy involves placing patients in anxiety-provoking situations that are objectively safe. The treatment process is typically gradual, with the hierarchy of fear-inducing stimuli progressively escalating until the patient achieves full adaptation.

VR exposure therapy has been proven effective for arachnophobia, acrophobia, and aviophobia. Conditions currently under research exploration include agoraphobia, claustrophobia, panic disorder with agoraphobia, zoophobia (fear of small animals), vehophobia (driving phobia), glossophobia (public speaking anxiety), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Virtual Therapy for Acrophobia

Furthermore, it is worth noting that VR exposure therapy is often integrated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to jointly correct patients’ distorted beliefs about weight loss and diet. In this context, VR exposure therapy helps rectify patients’ erroneous body image perceptions, enabling them to confront their physical appearance more objectively.

Research has found that individuals dissatisfied with their body shape often exhibit cognitive biases. From the perspective of cognitive neuroscience, this is primarily attributed to central psychopathology. In most cases, the brain involuntarily processes information in a biased manner. These misconceptions are formed, to varying degrees, outside of conscious awareness. Therefore, the corrective approach involves engaging patients in conscious reflection, which constitutes cognitive therapy.

In addition to Psious’s virtual therapy for phobias, other applications include allowing patients to embody a virtual third party to comfort themselves from an external perspective, thereby enhancing self-identity; or altering virtual environments to place patients in relaxed, serene, and elegant new settings, helping them forget reality and alleviate internal anxiety. Furthermore, reports indicate that virtual reality can be used to test and evaluate the psychological treatment efficacy for sexual offenders, with release from prison contingent upon passing such assessments.

At present, there are few truly implemented applications of VR technology in China, which remains in the stage of academic exploration. Examples include the design of virtual psychological rehabilitation-assisted medical systems, primarily used to differentiate between organic and functional psychoses, as well as for the rehabilitative treatment of psychological disorders such as neurosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The reasons for this include, first, the high cost of software development; second, the lack of industry standards for virtual therapy; and third, the current shortage of professional psychological counselors in China.

This is closely related to the overall lag in the development of China’s mental health industry. As technical capabilities advance and specialized psychological treatment institutions continue to emerge, more psychology clinics will certainly appear in the future. By then, virtual therapy technologies will no longer be rare, truly benefiting the Chinese population.

Big Data Tracking of Psychological Emotions

Dartmouth UniversityA study named “StudentLife” was conducted, in which a StudentLife app was developed to track 48 college students from one class over a 10-week period. The method involved collecting passive and automatic sensor data generated during the students’ smartphone use to assess their mental health status (e.g., depression, loneliness, and stress), while also examining academic performance metrics such as class rank and GPA. The study ultimately analyzed students’ behavioral patterns to determine their levels of stress and exercise frequency, and to predict their responses to academic pressure.



The purpose of this study is to provide teachers, deans, and physicians with a deeper understanding of students’ true psychological states outside the classroom, while also helping students gain greater self-awareness. Furthermore, it aims to furnish educators with empirical evidence for research: Why do some students perform better? Why do others skip school or classes? What are the underlying factors affecting academic performance, and what are their relationships with emotions, workload, social interactions, sleep, and physical health? Answers to these and other questions are expected to emerge from this study.

Researchers employed tools such as computer models and machine learning algorithms. The StudentLife APP automatically collects data from students’ mobile phones without requiring any user interaction, enabling continuous 24-hour data updates through routine phone usage. The data collected by this APP includes: sleep and wake-up times, duration of each phone call, exercise duration, time spent in different locations, social gathering duration, indoor and outdoor movement patterns, stress levels, positive mindset indices, dietary habits, app usage patterns, and evaluations of the university and the country.

The figure below illustrates findings from the StudentLife study. For instance, upon returning from vacation, students exhibit high morale and a relaxed mindset, with frequent engagement in fitness activities. As academic workload intensifies toward the midterm period, their emotional distress and stress levels increase, while the frequency of exercise significantly decreases.



The following two figures also reflect the cumulative hours per day that all students spent on social gatherings and studying at different times of the week:



To date, there have been no reported studies in Chinese universities similar to StudentLife, which analyze big data from students’ mobile phone usage behaviors to gain insights into their mental health status. On the National College Student Mental Health Education Network, it is evident that our methods for tracking student mental health still rely on traditional assessment scales, such as the Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale, the Self-Rating Scale of Psychological Adaptability, the Self-Control Scale, and the Personal Evaluation Inventory. These tools identify mental health issues through individual psychological assessments. Consequently, this process is relatively passive, unable to predict mental health disorders in advance, and thus precludes early intervention and treatment.

soma analyticsIt is a company dedicated to helping users reduce emotional stress. It has developed The Kelaa App specifically for corporate employees, so its business model is primarily B2B, assisting employees in building psychological resilience, teaching them to focus, manage stress, and think positively.

The team brings together world-leading psychological experts, sleep researchers, and data scientists. By leveraging built-in smartphone sensors, the app transforms a mobile phone into a portable device for monitoring physiological data without requiring any external wearable devices. Simply by downloading the app, users can receive timely feedback and recommendations based on changes in their physical condition. This convenience has led to higher acceptance and adoption rates among corporate employees, while the simple and intuitive interface is also well-received by users. Additionally, company leaders can promptly assess the health status and physiological data of their subordinates, enabling them to make informed decisions to create a better work environment.



According to research findings, more than 50 million people in the United States suffer from anxiety and depression, as well as the misuse of psychiatric medications. AndLyra HealthOur mission is to provide psychological support to those in need through advanced technology.

Lyrahealth first identifies individuals in need of assistance through analytical and screening tools, then proactively reaches out to them and matches them with suitable clinicians to meet their personalized needs. Its Lyra Guides feature assists users in navigating the system and scheduling appointments, enabling them to receive expert care. Finally, Lyra tracks treatment outcomes, analyzes comprehensive big data, and consolidates these insights into valuable therapeutic experiences and models.

In fact, Lyra’s services are also designed for enterprise clients, enabling the identification of employees who may be experiencing mental health issues. Leveraging predictive analytics and the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), a brief screening tool for assessing depression severity, Lyra provides one-on-one counseling to employees in need. This support is delivered through an evidence-based collaborative care model, in which licensed clinicians coordinate pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions.



Applications of Smart Hardware in the Field of Psychotherapy

Wearable Devices for Autism TreatmentCompany: Empatica, it has invented a wristband that monitors and treats users’ epileptic seizures and can also alert patients’ family members. This wearable device, which measures the relationship between biosignals and emotions, is called Embrace. It has transformed the traditional approach of intermittent spot checks by enabling continuous 24-hour monitoring to assess human health status.

The company’s first comfortable-to-wear model, the E3, has been deployed at numerous world-renowned hospitals, universities, and corporations to study people’s daily life behaviors. In January 2015, Empatica launched a new version of its wristband, the E4.

The newly released E4 wristband is also designed for real-time, continuous data acquisition, featuring the following characteristics: discreet and unobtrusive monitoring; medical-grade daily data monitoring; secure access to and analysis of raw data in the cloud; and an open API that allows data integration into user applications.

The sensors loaded on the E4 include the following types—

Optical volume sensor: measures blood volume pulse, heart rate, heart rate variability, and other cardiovascular metrics; 3-axis accelerometer: captures body movement and activity; event marker button: correlates landmark events with physiological signals to measure emotional characteristics such as stress and arousal associated with the sympathetic nervous system; infrared thermopile temperature sensor; real-time monitoring clock capable of recording vital sign changes with a temporal resolution of 0.2 seconds.

E4 Operating Mode: The E4 product is suitable for laboratory and home-based analysis:

1. Recording Mode – The E4 wristband stores data on its internal device, which can be downloaded via a USB interface using the Empatica Manager software; 2. Streaming Mode – The E4 wristband connects to a smartphone or Bluetooth-enabled desktop computer. Empatica provides iOS and Android apps, compatible with Windows and Mac systems; 3. Cloud Upload – All modes support uploading data to Empatica’s secure cloud platform, and Empatica Connect allows users to download data at any time.

The mobile app, named Empatica Realtime, offers the following key features: real-time visualization of data from the wrist-worn sensor; flexible screen zooming for detailed inspection of data signals; secure local storage of data on the smartphone; and seamless uploading of data to the Empatica cloud.
Soon, Empatica will obtain medical device certification in Europe and the United States. The product offers an open API, enabling enterprises to develop various applications. As a medical-grade device, Embrace features wrist-based vibrotactile sensing and can monitor physiological stress, sleep, physical activity, and more, in addition to epilepsy management.

Microsoft Researchers in the United States Invent a Method to SuppressBinge EatingIntelligentBra, as women tend to engage in emotional eating when feeling down. This bra, paired with a smartphone app and a bracelet sensor, can detect the wearer’s emotions, helping them relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

The bra is designed to fit closely against the chest, enabling superior electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring and thus providing accurate, real-time feedback on the user’s emotional state. It incorporates built-in sensor pads and a microprocessor powered by a 3.7-volt battery, capable of simultaneously sampling eight biological signal channels. ECG sensors capture heart rate and respiration, while electrodermal activity sensors measure skin conductance. Accelerometers and gyroscopes track body movement. All data are uploaded to a smartphone app and stored on researchers’ computers. Through analysis, researchers can accurately predict physiological changes during eating and determine whether the user is feeling happy or depressed. Currently, the sensor pads operate continuously for only four hours before requiring recharging.

ThyncThe wearable device needs to be worn for just a few minutes to deliver hours of calming and relaxing effects. Thync uses low-energy electronic waves to provide users with a safe and comfortable soothing sensation on the face and head. These electronic waves primarily target specific areas of the brain. In fact, this neurosignal stimulation technology is a proven scientific method that harmonizes the mind and body, altering one’s subjective experience. Using Thync feels akin to a relaxing massage or splashing cold water on your face, helping to sharpen mental focus.



The Thync product is priced at $199. The package includes Thync Strips and the Thync device. There are two types of Thync Strips: one for calming emotions and the other for stimulating the brain to generate more energy. The Thync device features a lightweight, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing design, with its two-dimensional curved structure ensuring a fit for everyone.

Operating the Thync device is also straightforward, allowing users to freely select functions via the Thync app. Within minutes, the app can help users transition between states, achieving either calmness and tranquility or heightened vitality. The product was expected to hit the market by late December 2015.



Online Psychological Counseling

Mental Health HelplineIt is an online consultation app for mental health disorders, enabling users to quickly and anonymously connect with professional psychological counselors via email, phone, or in-person chat.

The app primarily offers online consultation services and user community support; it listens to user needs, provides recommendations to meet those needs, and includes educational features. It also allows users to link accounts of family members and friends for contact in emergencies. All the aforementioned services are guaranteed to be anonymous.


VCBeat previously reported on one of the 30 most noteworthy startups—breakthroughThe process is as follows: Users first select a suitable physician, which can be done by searching and filtering based on various criteria, including therapist type, specialty, payment methods, language, gender, location, and even the physician’s name. The website precisely identifies physicians matching the user’s preferences. After registering an account, users can schedule an appointment with their chosen physician for a specific date. Once a physician is selected, they will confirm the appointment time within 48 hours at the latest. Consultation sessions typically last from 15 minutes to one hour.



Established in 2008,AbilTo Inc., and can also provide remote video or telephone-based therapy to patients. Its target population includes individuals with depression, anxiety, and high stress levels who also suffer from mental health disorders. AbilTo offers comprehensive behavioral modification programs for healthcare payers and high-risk patient populations, with an 8-week clinical treatment course deliverable remotely. UltimatelyAbilTo's business wasIt has been proven to reduce the incidence of disease complications, improve treatment outcomes, and lower treatment costs.



Headquartered in San Francisco,Lantern, it provides web- and mobile-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs tailored for individuals with anxiety disorders. This October, the company launched its second stress-relief application. Lantern’s products are accessible via its website and iOS app, comprising 40 modules that users can practice at their own pace. The app helps users master CBT techniques and develop healthy lifestyle habits, while ensuring a one-on-one coaching relationship. Typically, the coaches hold master’s degrees and are proficient in CBT.

Lantern can either charge each employer a fixed fee of $150 or target consumers directly, charging $49 per month. Insurers are highly interested in CBT because 40% of patients undergoing rehabilitation for chronic heart disease and those with cancer suffer from anxiety disorders, making complications common. Healthcare costs for individuals with these comorbidities double annually, amounting to approximately $3,000–$4,000.

Currently, the Lantern project is split evenly between B2B and B2C operations. It is expected to secure more enterprise clients in the coming months. To date, it has raised $3.8 million in funding, with the majority—$3.2 million from its seed round—led by Mayfield Fund and SoftTech VC last May.



talkspaceIt is a company providing online psychological counseling, with more than 200 professional registered therapists on standby in the background to communicate with users at any time. The operation is simple: just submit your counseling question with one click, and you can get psychological chat with doctors anytime and anywhere. The content of the chat is guaranteed to be private, and the charging mode is $25 per week for unlimited chats. So far, it has served more than 70,000 users.



Psychologist OnlineThis is an app for online communication with psychological counselors and professional therapists. Users can ask questions freely without restrictions, and payment methods include online payment and recharge. Registered users will receive a $40 consultation voucher.

Key features include searching for online experts by category, selecting the preferred language for inquiries, and receiving immediate responses from experts. In the AirPersons module, you can directly enter an expert's name to check if consultation services are available.

The app offers more than 30 subdirectories, such as Counseling Psychology, Sports Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Analytical Psychotherapy, Abnormal Psychology, Personality Psychology, Psychogeriatrics, Educational Psychology (Child), Speech Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Family Therapy.



This report on innovative projects in psychotherapy is presented in two parts. This is Part I, which primarily covers applications such as VR technology, wearable devices, big data, and online psychological counseling. Part II will focus on introducing novel mental health apps. Stay tuned.