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What a VR therapy programme actually looks like.

A VR therapy programme at Better Relief VR pairs a purpose-built clinical platform with a certified in-clinic technician. You put on a headset; the technician runs the session from a control tablet, choosing and adjusting the environment or exposure scenario in real time while you experience only the therapeutic content.

We deliver two distinct clinical platforms across three programme families: pain & comfort, mental health, and aging & rehab, covering sixteen conditions in total. Every session happens in our Barrie, Ontario clinic. No referral is required.

The four service lines

What services does Better Relief VR offer?

Better Relief VR offers four VR therapy service lines at its Barrie clinic: chronic pain management, physical rehabilitation, mental health support, and cognitive engagement and geriatric care. Each has its own typical protocol length, agreed with you at your initial assessment and adjusted as you progress.

Certified VR therapy technician supervising a chronic pain session
Service line 01

Chronic pain management

For lower back pain, musculoskeletal pain, and neuropathic pain. Delivered on the Mynd Immersive engine using distraction and calming, goal-based content.

Typical protocolAssessment, plus 8 to 12 supervised sessions, plus maintenance
Client using VR controllers during a physical rehabilitation session
Service line 02

Physical rehabilitation

For orthopedic recovery and neurological rehabilitation. Goal-based PT, OT, and ST activities on the Mynd Immersive engine, aligned to your therapist's goals.

Typical protocolAssessment, plus 6 to 10 sessions, plus progress review
Seated VR therapy session for anxiety and mental health support
Service line 03

Mental health support

For anxiety, stress-related disorders, and PTSD-adjacent presentations. Delivered on the PsyTech VR engine under the supervision of a licensed or certified healthcare professional.

Typical protocolAssessment, plus 6 to 12 sessions, plus follow-up
Older adult engaging with VR therapy alongside a certified technician
Service line 04

Cognitive engagement & geriatric care

For elderly cognitive stimulation, balance, and connection. Reminiscence and recreation content on the Mynd Immersive engine, with families and caregivers involved where helpful.

Typical protocolAssessment, plus 4 to 8 sessions, plus caregiver review
Programme family 01

Does VR therapy actually help with chronic pain?

Mynd Immersive engine

Our pain and comfort programme uses the Mynd Immersive platform, built around distraction, reminiscence, and calming, goal-based content, to redirect attention away from pain and discomfort and to support agitation and palliative comfort. It is not an exposure-therapy platform: the aim here is to shift focus and ease distress, not to confront a fear.

Chronic pain

For long-standing pain that hasn't responded fully to other approaches, the technician selects a calming or absorbing 360° environment (nature scenes, travel, guided breathing) designed to redirect attention away from pain signals for the duration of the session.

Who it suits

People managing ongoing pain who are looking for a non-drug approach to use alongside their existing care plan.

Technician's role

Monitors the session live on the control tablet, adjusting the content if discomfort or disorientation increases.

Acute & procedural pain

For short-term pain during or around a procedure, an immersive distraction environment is used to hold attention elsewhere while the discomfort passes, drawing on the same distraction-therapy approach Mynd applies across its content library.

Who it suits

Anyone facing a brief but uncomfortable procedure who wants an additional, non-pharmacological way to manage the moment.

Technician's role

Times the session to the procedure and switches environments if a particular scene isn't landing well.

Agitation & restlessness

For episodes of distress, pacing, or sundowning, the technician chooses calm, focused, low-stimulation content aimed at settling and re-orienting attention: the same "behavioral" category Mynd uses to support emotional regulation.

Who it suits

People experiencing agitation related to cognitive change, hospital stays, or unfamiliar environments.

Technician's role

Watches for signs of overstimulation and keeps sessions short and gentle where needed.

Palliative comfort

For people in palliative or end-of-life care, sessions draw on reminiscence, travel, faith-based, and nature content intended to support comfort, connection, and quality of life rather than any treatment outcome.

Who it suits

Patients and families seeking moments of comfort, connection, or closure as part of palliative support.

Technician's role

Works with the patient and family to choose meaningful content and keeps sessions unhurried.

What happens in a session

The technician pairs you with a 360° environment or activity from Mynd's library (reminiscence, distraction, recreation, or a calming soundscape) and monitors what you see in real time from a control tablet.

Typical protocol

Assessment, plus 8 to 12 supervised sessions, plus maintenance. Length and cadence are set by the technician to suit the individual and the reason for the session.

Delivered by

A certified technician, in-clinic, using the managed tablet interface to launch and adjust content without any action required from you.

Programme family 02

Can VR therapy help with anxiety and mental health conditions?

PsyTech VR engine

Our mental health programme runs on PsyTech VR, a clinician-controlled exposure platform built around CBT and EMDR protocols, with a library of graded scenarios plus scenes generated to match a specific fear or trigger. Every session is intended to run under the supervision of a licensed or certified healthcare professional, who remains responsible for the therapeutic process throughout.

Anxiety disorders

Graded exposure to anxiety-provoking situations, paced by the clinician, paired with breathing and grounding tools built into the platform.

Who it suits

People with generalised anxiety or panic looking for a structured, gradual way to build tolerance.

Technician's role

Selects and escalates scenario intensity from the Launchpad dashboard while you experience only the curated environment.

Social anxiety

Rehearse conversations, presentations, and crowded or evaluative situations inside the headset before facing them in daily life.

Who it suits

People whose fear of judgement in social settings limits day-to-day activity.

Technician's role

Adjusts scenario difficulty in real time and can generate a custom social scenario tailored to a specific situation.

Specific phobias

Drawn from a library of more than 150 evidence-based phobia scenarios: heights, spiders, flying, needles, dogs, enclosed spaces, and more.

Who it suits

Anyone with a specific, identifiable fear they want to work through gradually and safely.

Technician's role

Picks a pre-built scenario or generates a custom one from a short description, then controls pacing and intensity.

PTSD & trauma

Structured exposure work combined with EMDR bilateral stimulation delivered inside the headset, paced entirely to what you can tolerate.

Who it suits

People processing traumatic experiences who are working with a supervising clinician on trauma-focused therapy.

Technician's role

Controls bilateral stimulation speed and pacing, and can hand physical controllers to you once you're ready to interact with a scene.

Depression

Immersive environments used to support behavioural activation and mood-focused work as a complement to talking therapy and your existing treatment plan.

Who it suits

People working with a clinician on depression who want an engaging, structured activity to support that work.

Technician's role

Coordinates content with your broader treatment plan and monitors engagement during the session.

OCD

Exposure and response prevention in controlled virtual settings, including a dedicated clutter/contamination category, letting you meet triggers gradually without real-world consequences.

Who it suits

People working through ERP-based treatment with a supervising clinician.

Technician's role

Selects trigger scenarios and controls the pace of exposure and response-prevention practice.

Addiction & cravings

Cue-exposure work in realistic settings (bars, kitchens, social situations) used to practise recognising and resisting cravings safely, as a complement to comprehensive addiction treatment rather than a replacement for it.

Who it suits

People in addiction treatment who want to practise craving-management skills in a controlled setting.

Technician's role

Chooses cue-rich scenarios matched to your triggers and supports CBT- and motivation-based discussion around the session.

Autism social skills

Practice everyday social scenarios (classrooms, restaurants, medical appointments) including eye contact and facial-expression recognition, in a predictable, low-pressure environment.

Who it suits

Children and adults working on social-skills goals, typically alongside a broader support plan.

Technician's role

Runs the scenario at a comfortable pace and repeats or adjusts scenes based on how the session goes.

What happens in a session

Your clinician-supervised technician selects a scenario from the Launchpad dashboard, controls every aspect of pacing and intensity, and monitors your physiological and verbal responses throughout.

Typical protocol

Assessment, plus 6 to 12 sessions, plus follow-up. Length and number of sessions are set individually with your supervising clinician based on the condition and how you respond.

Delivered by

A certified technician working under the supervision of a licensed or certified healthcare professional, as required by the platform's intended use.

Programme family 03

Can VR therapy support older adults and people in physical rehabilitation?

Mynd Immersive engine

Our aging and rehabilitation programme uses the same Mynd Immersive platform as our pain and comfort programme, delivering reminiscence, recreation, and goal-oriented therapy content built specifically with older adults and people in active rehab in mind.

Dementia & memory care

Reminiscence experiences revisit meaningful places and eras (a childhood home, a past vacation, familiar music) to spark conversation, recognition, and a sense of identity.

Who it suits

People living with dementia or memory changes, and their families, looking for moments of connection.

Technician's role

Chooses content matched to the person's history and watches for engagement or distress on the control tablet.

Parkinson's engagement

Gentle, motivating recreational activities, described in Mynd's own materials as helping when "nothing stimulating the imagination" is left in a routine, encourage reaching, movement, and sustained attention without the repetition of standard exercises.

Who it suits

People with Parkinson's looking for engaging ways to stay active and stimulated.

Technician's role

Selects recreation or movement-based content and adjusts pacing to the person's ability on the day.

Rehabilitation (PT/OT/ST)

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy exercises are turned into interactive, goal-oriented activities: practising everyday tasks like making coffee or grocery shopping in a safe virtual setting to support functional progress.

Who it suits

People working through physical, occupational, or speech therapy who want rehab to feel like progress rather than repetition.

Technician's role

Runs activities aligned to your therapist's goals and tracks engagement session to session.

Isolation & loneliness

Shared immersive experiences (travel, recreation, connection with caregivers) reconnect people with the world outside and with the people caring for them.

Who it suits

People experiencing isolation, including those in long-term or post-acute care settings.

Technician's role

Can run sessions individually or in small groups, guiding shared activities and conversation.

What happens in a session

The technician launches reminiscence, recreation, or goal-based rehab content from the control tablet and can monitor exactly what you see in real time.

Typical protocol

Assessment, plus 4 to 8 sessions, plus caregiver review. Length is set to suit the person and the goal for the session, whether that's a rehab exercise plan or a reminiscence activity.

Delivered by

A certified technician, one-on-one or in small groups, coordinating with your care team where relevant.

The evidence

What does the published research say about VR therapy?

Mynd Immersive reports a 47% average reduction in pain intensity and PsyTech VR reports that 90% of participants preferred VR exposure to traditional therapy, each figure attributed and sourced below. These figures come from studies conducted by the platform developers and their research partners, not from Better Relief VR, and we publish them with their sources so you can read them yourself.

47%
Average reduction in pain intensity (DVPRS)
Reported by Mynd Immersive from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 4 data. source
60%
Average reduction in distress (SUDS)
Reported by Mynd Immersive from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 4 data. source
100%
Of those tested experienced a decrease in agitation
Reported by Mynd Immersive from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 4 data. source
37.39%
Average reduction in anxiety (STAI-S-5)
Multi-site VA study across nine Pennsylvania medical centres, reported by Mynd Immersive. source
88%
Success reducing isolation
Reported by Mynd Immersive, citing CMS-funded research. source
90%
Of participants preferred VR exposure to traditional therapy
University of Georgia study of 45 participants, reported by PsyTech VR. source
150+
Evidence-based phobia scenarios in the platform library
Reported by PsyTech VR. source

Please read this carefully. The statistics above are published by the platform developers and their research partners and describe those studies, not outcomes measured at Better Relief VR. Individual results vary. Virtual reality therapy is used to complement care. It does not replace medical treatment, medication, or advice from your physician. Neither platform holds a Health Canada medical device licence. PsyTech VR holds FDA establishment registration (Owner/Operator 10095803, Listing D598351). This is not FDA clearance or approval of the software as a medical device. VR is not suitable for everyone: people with epilepsy or photosensitive seizure disorders, severe vertigo or motion sensitivity, or active psychosis should speak with our team before booking.

Inside the headset

What therapeutic techniques does Better Relief VR use?

Better Relief VR delivers each programme through a specific set of techniques built into one of our two platforms: distraction therapy, graded exposure, reminiscence therapy, goal-based PT/OT/ST, and personalised safe-place environments. Here's what each one actually involves.

Distraction therapy

Calming or engaging 360° environments redirect attention away from pain, anxiety, or clinical discomfort. Used for acute, procedural, and chronic pain support.

Mynd

Graded exposure

Fear- or trigger-related scenarios are introduced gradually, with the clinician controlling intensity and pacing throughout. This is the core method behind our phobia, PTSD, OCD, and addiction work.

PsyTech VR

EMDR bilateral stimulation

Visual, sound, and controller-based bilateral stimulation delivered inside the headset, with adjustable movement speed and pacing, used as part of trauma-focused work.

PsyTech VR

Reminiscence therapy

Revisiting meaningful places, eras, and memories (a childhood home, a past trip, familiar music) to foster reflection, connection, and a sense of identity in memory care and palliative settings.

Mynd

Guided breathing & progressive muscle relaxation

Structured breathing exercises and muscle-group relaxation practice, delivered in peaceful VR environments, used across both platforms for stress and tension reduction.

Both engines

Goal-based PT/OT/ST activities

Physical, occupational, and speech therapy exercises reframed as interactive goals: practising everyday tasks in a safe virtual setting to support functional progress and rehabilitation.

Mynd

Personalised "safe place" environments

An AI-generated calming scene built from your own description (a forest, a lake, a cozy cabin) with ambient motion and sound, used for grounding and relaxation before or after exposure work.

PsyTech VR
How it works

What happens during a VR therapy session at Better Relief VR?

A VR therapy session at Better Relief VR follows four steps: screening and consultation, programme match, an in-headset session with a certified technician, and a debrief. Every programme, regardless of which platform it runs on, follows this same basic shape, from an initial screening conversation through to reviewing how you responded.

STEP 01

Screening & consultation

We talk through what you're dealing with, review relevant history, and check for contraindications such as epilepsy or photosensitive seizure disorders, severe vertigo or motion sensitivity, or active psychosis.

STEP 02

Programme match

We match you to the platform and programme family that fits your goals (pain and comfort, mental health, or aging and rehab) and agree what a session should focus on.

STEP 03

In-headset session

A certified technician fits the headset, launches the chosen environment or scenario from the control tablet, and monitors your response throughout, adjusting intensity, pausing, or switching content as needed.

STEP 04

Debrief & review

We check in immediately after the session, note how you responded, and use that to shape the next session or adjust the overall programme.

Get started

Ready to find the right programme?

Book a no-obligation consultation at our Barrie clinic. We'll talk through your goals, check that VR therapy is appropriate for you, and recommend the programme family that fits. Call 647-224-5900 or email info@betterrelief.ca.

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1 Quarry Ridge Rd, Unit 207, Barrie, Ontario L4M 7G1 · Serving Simcoe County · No referral required