Virtual Reality for Youth Phobias

Inclusion criteria

• The target population for this project are 48 youth (ages of 8-16) that meet criteria for a specific phobia or social anxiety disorder within Miami-Dade County.
• Youth will be eligible if they or their parent report clinically significant symptoms of social anxiety disorder or a specific phobia targeted with the VR program, based on self- or parent-report scores on online screening measures (>1 average total scores on Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Child or Social Anxiety Disorder-Child) or clinician-report diagnosis (i.e., diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder or Specific Phobia during clinical interview).
• Youth are able to complete study procedures, speak/read English or Spanish sufficiently.
• Youth have at least one caregiver who can complete all study measures in English or Spanish.
• Youth have a caregiver who is available to sign study consent forms, remain present during assessments, and fill out study questionnaires.

Exclusion criteria

• Youth who would be inappropriate for a brief VR-exposure therapy protocol will be referred to local resources for additional support or provided with alternate cognitive behavioral therapy services through the clinical center in which this program takes place.
• Research staff will review all measures and the youth's psychological history and consult with the PI to ensure that the participant does not have a current diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, acute suicidality, alcohol/substance dependence, or eating disorder.
• Youth will also be excluded if they are currently receiving psychotherapy elsewhere.
• Youth with co-occurring intellectual disability may be eligible, but youth who are non-verbal will not be eligible, as some verbal abilities are necessary in order to communicate with the clinician during the intervention.
• Youth who are currently suicidal or who have engaged in suicidal behaviors within the past 6 months will be excluded (or discussed on a case-by-case basis).
• Youth who engage in self-harm behaviors (e.g., cutting) and who do not present with suicidal intent will be allowed to participate.
• If youth develop psychiatric problems (e.g., severe depression, acute suicidal ideation/intent, severe conduct problems) that require a higher level of care, youth will be withdrawn from the study and referred for appropriate treatment.
• Youth currently taking psychotropic medication for a co-morbid psychiatric illness will be included without a wash-out period (to not delay intervention).