VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED REALITY GROUP THERAPY FOR TREATING MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

1 . A computer-implemented method for treating patients via group therapy, the method comprising:

providing at least three augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) devices, the devices each having at least one processor;

creating, via software executing on a processor, an field of view;

overlaying, via software executing on a processor, a therapist within the field of view to create a modified field of view; and

displaying the modified field of view on the at least two devices,

wherein the therapist within the modified field of view provides a therapy to at least two patients suffering from a mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disorder.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein each of the patients in the group of patients wears a wearable device.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the wearable device is wireless and provides AR/VR content to the patient.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the group of patients are provided therapy for anxiety, sexual trauma, depression, addiction, and other disorders.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the method allows users to experience the environment as a group, whereby each patient is in the same environment and receives treatment as a group.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the patients first experience a relaxing VR environment before starting treatment to better ease them into group therapy.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the AR/VR environment includes a version of a licensed healthcare professional/therapist in the environment.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the licensed healthcare professional/therapist is provided live to the group of patients.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the LHP/therapists and patients include character assets to identical replicas of the people in question.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein all users are able to speak live and be heard in the VR/AR environments.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein there is a network/server by which therapists and patients will be able to connect with each other and enter into VR/AR group therapy sessions.

12 . A computer-implemented system for treating patients via group therapy, the system comprising:

a processor; and

software executing on the processor that provides AR/VR content to a group of patients.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the system includes a wearable wireless device.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the wireless device includes glasses, traditional head mounted displays, or a wearable medical device such as contact lenses.

15 . An augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) system for treating at least two patient suffering from a mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disorder via group therapy, the system comprising:

at least three augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) devices, the devices each having at least one processor;

at least one computer-readable storage media storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor of each device:

creates a field of view,

overlays a therapist within the field of view to create a modified field of view, and

displays modified field of view on the device,

wherein the therapist within the modified field of view provides a therapy to at least two patients suffering from a mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disorder.