Objective: In order to improve the low consultation rates of Social Anxiety
Disorder (SAD) and break through the limitation of utilizing Virtual Reality
Exposure (VRE) on SAD, our study developed the self-help intervention model of
Psychoanalysis-based Virtual Reality Exposure (PVRE) therapy. Method: Based on
the psychoanalysis of SAD clients’ objective relationships, we designed the virtual
archetypes of their childhood caregivers. During the self-help intervention process,
we used these virtual figures to arouse the clients’ inner fear as well as decrease
their negative responses. By using the case report, we introduced the core steps
and introspection of the PVRE. Result: PVRE might facilitate the effective self-help
intervention of SAD, especially for the clients who were reluctant to ask for help
and had negative experience with main caregivers during the childhood. Further
studies should focus on the clinical improvement of the PVRE with large samples.
Conclusion: The combination of different therapeutic theories (e.g., psychodynamic
or psychoanalysis orientation) and newly-developed VR techniques might play an
important role in self-help intervention of SA or other clinical symptoms.