Integration And Divergence Of Traditional Drama Therapy And VR Drama Therapy: Mechanism Comparison And Future Prospects
List of Authors
Hao Yi Ho, Ting Wang
Keyword
Drama Therapy; Virtual Reality; Immersive Therapy; Treatment Accessibility
Abstract
This paper aims to systematically compare the similarities and differences between traditional drama therapy and virtual reality (VR) drama therapy in terms of therapeutic environment, therapeutic relationship, accessibility and therapeutic effect. Traditional drama therapy emphasizes physical presence, collective identity and ritual, and relies on physical space and face-to-face interaction. VR drama therapy provides a highly controllable and personalized treatment experience through immersive virtual environments, digital avatars and remote access. Studies have pointed out that the two are not substitutes, but complementary. VR drama therapy has significant advantages in improving accessibility, reducing participation barriers, and supporting datalized reflection, especially in coping with social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other situations. However, traditional drama therapy is still irreplaceable in establishing a real therapeutic alliance and promoting group cohesion and cultural identity. This article further discusses the challenges of VR drama therapy in terms of technical limitations, ethical risks and long-term psychological effects, and proposes that in-depth exploration should be carried out in standardized treatment modules, cross-cultural adaptation and mixed treatment models in the future.