Safe Place VR: A Guided Imagery-Based Virtual Reality Trauma Stabilization Technique

Abstract

One of the techniques used in trauma stabilization stage is ‘Safe Place’ which aims to establish a sense of safety by guiding patients to create a vivid mental imagery. Existing research has highlighted both the advantages and potential of using VR for trauma intervention, as well as some limitations. In this study, we present the ‘Safe Place VR’. Specifically, we provide three pre-set virtual environments, three different time-of-day lighting settings, and serval comfort items representing various senses that may be linked to positive emotions or memories, guiding patients to create their own safe place within the VR environment.