I watched a documentary a while back about people that were deathly afraid of certain things. Their phobias were so great that it greatly affected them socially and personally. For example, a woman that avoided spiders at all cost would not even step on grass. Every day she would make sure every crevice in her house was covered with tape. To sleep, she would cocoon herself in thick clothing (like snow gear and whatnot). That is intense.

A psychologist conducted an experiment using virtual reality to help her. In one event, she would see a pixilated kitchen and a spider dangling in front of her. She was afraid and it took a few tries before she could actually deal with it if I recall right. Anyway, the researcher told her to reach out and imagine that she is touching it with her hand. Then they dangled a rubber spider in front of her to touch. She reacted as though it were real, as expected.

Now, in this experiment, she knew it was not real, but she was still afraid. Eventually, using that technology, they paced her into the real events. Now, she can actually hold spiders in her hands, something the researcher was even a bit hesitant to do.

A similar experiment was conducted by the same psychologist on a guy that is afraid of heights. I don’t remember this one as well, but he was barely able to step on curbs and, if I recall, he couldn’t climb stairs, or go across bridges (not to mention ride an airplane). Again, he had a phobia so great that it restricted his life.

With the same poor form of virtual reality, they had him riding on an airplane and stepping onto bridges. Then, they would have him experience these events in real life until he is content with his ability to handle it. I think he can ride planes now, but I don’t recall how well he could handle it afterwards.

The point is, as you have probably already taken, is that exposure can make you overcome that which you are afraid of. It does take time, and it may require you to experience the same, or similar, events in the real world. I think all of us would agree that the dream world feels far more real than a virtual reality headset. Not to mention, a dream can look as real as real life itself. Furthermore, dreams have shown an improvement in ability through practice and exposure within the dream.

The only drawback I see is that a patient would be less likely to face a phobia that they are hugely afraid of if it is a voluntary operation. My guess is, without someone there holding the patient's hand, those that are deathly afraid of these things probably won’t willingly put themselves in those situations (not that they don’t want to overcome it but that they are too afraid to try); however, that does not mean you can initially build them to the point where they can, and then they can practice on their own.