Stress and anxiety affect millions of people worldwide and manifest in some of the most common mental health issues. While traditional therapies are effective, they are also costly and not suitable for everyone. Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is an innovative way to treat anxiety disorders and provide a three-dimensional, immersive experience for clients to confront their fears. In this meta-analysis of research using VRET as an intervention for treating stress and anxiety related disorders, the authors sought to understand the degree to which various study characteristics accounted for the variation in intervention effects. Results showed those receiving VRET treatment report similar treatment effects as those who receive alternative treatments such as CBT, exposure therapy or other similar approaches.
Action research has long been heralded as the solution to narrowing the gap between counseling research and practice. Collaborative research partnerships are a cornerstone of action research, but these partnerships remain rare in the counseling profession due to the barriers researchers and practitioners must navigate. This article offers an overview of action research and the associated barriers. We, the coauthors, reflect on the lessons learned from our collaborative research partnership in order to provide concrete and pragmatic advice that informs future researcher-practitioner partnerships.
