Positive psychology

Even today, many therapies focus mainly on what is wrong. Thus a lot of knowledge has been accumulated about the negative that surrounds people. But little attention has been paid to the strengths of people that allow them to be in a state of well being. To get better, it is also necessary to understand what makes people feel good.

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We use Artificial Intelligence both through a coach named Camille and through virtual characters within the scenes. Camille provides support and acts as a trusted companion to whom you can share your concerns without fear of judgment. On the other hand, the virtual characters faithfully replicate real-life social behaviors. You will be able to interact with them in various everyday contexts, such as a party, a date, a job interview, or a spontaneous conversation on the street. Learn more

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1. WHAT IS POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY ?

Positive psychology was founded by Martin Seligman. Unlike positive thinking, which has not been scientifically proven, positive psychology is based on scientific research. It encourages individuals to train their minds.

Positive psychology is the psychology of “what is going well” and is the study of well-being. This psychology acknowledges that while it is important to understand and address patients’ problems, it is equally important to highlight strengths and qualities that make life “worth living.” What enables us to achieve well-being? Positive psychology aims to promote positive attitudes.

In positive psychology, it is crucial to work on people’s strengths and values.

Values hold an important place in positive psychology. Values represent a “contract with oneself.” Our actions flow from our values. They represent what is important to us, guiding us and providing the motivation to accomplish certain tasks. When we engage in behaviors that align with our values, we experience a greater sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. These are sources of well-being and happiness.

Positive psychology is not about living in a fantasy world where everything is beautiful and perfect. Instead, it involves accepting one’s emotions, maintaining a realistic perspective, and developing resilience (the ability to overcome traumatic shocks, for example). The goal is to adopt new attitudes toward the difficulties we encounter in life.

2. THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER STRENGTHS

Another key concept in positive psychology is the notion of strength. We all possess character strengths. These strengths enable us to behave, think, or feel in the most optimal way to promote good functioning. After numerous studies, researchers have identified 24 character strengths divided into six categories of virtues.

Wisdom and Knowledge

  • Curiosity and interest in the world
  • Love of learning
  • Judgment, critical thinking, open-mindedness
  • Ingenuity, originality, practical intelligence
  • Perspective, insight

Courage

  • Valor and bravery
  • Perseverance, industry, diligence
  • Integrity, authenticity, sincerity
  • Enthusiasm

Humanity and Love

  • Love and attachment
  • Kindness and generosity
  • Social intelligence

Justice

  • Teamwork, duty, loyalty
  • Fairness, impartiality
  • Leadership

Temperance

  • Forgiveness
  • Humility and modesty
  • Prudence, discretion, caution
  • Self-control, self-regulation

Transcendance

  • Appreciation of beauty and excellence
  • Gratitude
  • Hope, optimism, future-mindedness
  • Humor and joy
  • Spirituality, sense of purpose, faith, religiosity


If you want to know your strengths, there is a test available. You can find it by clicking here. These strengths are a crucial factor in our well-being. Using them allows us to derive pleasure and achieve greater satisfaction.

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3. FACTORS PROMOTING OPTIMISM, MOTIVATION, AND SATISFACTION

Positive psychology includes 5 fundamental pillars unified in a model called PERMA. This model comprises the main components that contribute to well-being.

  • P for Positive Emotions: This category includes various positive emotions that lead to well-being, such as pleasure, comfort, warmth, and interest. It is essential to focus more on the positive emotions in our daily lives.
  • E for Engagement: This refers to experiencing optimal moments, also known as flow. To achieve this, we engage in tasks that absorb us completely, making us lose track of time. There is total engagement in these activities, which often utilize our skills (e.g., playing music). These activities not only generate positive emotions but also help develop additional competencies.
  • R for Relationships: Positive social relationships are essential. Happiness is not individualistic but also depends on our connections with others. Humans are fundamentally social beings. These relationships can provide a sense of security and support during difficult times.
  • M for Meaning: The goal is to find meaning in life. To find meaning, it can be important to be part of something larger than oneself, such as serving a greater cause that matters to us.
  • A for Accomplishment: The sense of accomplishment holds a significant place in well-being. It is important to have personal goals to achieve. Setting a goal and striving to achieve it is crucial. It is necessary to take time to reflect on the progress made and the benefits of reaching this goal. Having successes in life is important for full self-fulfillment.


This model serves as a guide toward well-being. It is important to be aware of this model to apply its recommendations. It is also necessary to focus on positive emotions, engage in activities that make us truly happy, pay attention to positive social relationships, find meaning in our lives, and set and achieve our goals.

4. USING POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY IN VIRTUAL REALITY EXPOSURE THERAPY

Understanding positive psychology and its tools has enriched cognitive-behavioral therapy. In the context of positive psychology, during virtual reality exposures, the therapist will encourage the patient to focus on the positive aspects of the exposures and the positive emotions experienced.

TERVs will suggest exercises to practice between sessions to continue the patient’s progress. Among these exercises, the psychologist may explain and recommend the use of positive psychology exercises.

5. EXAMPLES OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY EXERCISES

Here are some simple, effective exercises :

  • Every day, take some time at the end of the day to note in a journal the positive things from your day. Try to find three. These can range from significant events to smaller moments that brought positive emotions (e.g., an interesting conversation, a good meal).
  • Similarly, instead of noting positive things, you can focus your writings on your achievements during the day. All the little victories, the small tasks you managed to accomplish (e.g., organizing your papers, preparing meals for the week).
  • As we saw in the PERMA model, it is important to engage in activities that bring us pleasure and allow us to fully immerse ourselves. You can make a list of activities you’d like to do and plan them in your schedule!
  • Now that you have identified your strengths, choose one each day or week and try to put it into action.


Practice mindfulness exercises whenever possible, which help you stay present in the here and now.

Do you need further information or have any specific questions ?

FAQ

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that enables patients to be exposed to immersive and controlled environments, facilitating the management of numerous psychological and psychiatric disorders. Its use in mental health offers several advantages:
  • Gradual and Controlled Exposure: VR allows patients to confront anxiety-inducing situations in a secure environment, gradually adjusting the intensity of stimuli to promote habituation and emotional regulation.
  • Realistic and Reproducible Environments: Unlike traditional techniques, VR provides immersive scenarios that can be consistently reproduced, ensuring a coherent and effective approach.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: The interactive and immersive nature of VR enhances treatment adherence and motivates patients to continue their therapy.
  • Personalized Treatment: Virtual environments can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Versatile Applications: VR is used to treat anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, and even cognitive remediation.
The use of virtual reality in healthcare is not new! It has been studied and utilized for over 30 years in the medical and psychological fields. As early as the 1990s, researchers began exploring its potential for treating anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, numerous scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in addressing various psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders.
Today, VR is widely integrated into therapeutic and medical practices, with clinically validated protocols. It is used in hospitals, clinics, and psychologists' offices worldwide to provide patients with innovative, effective, and safe treatments.
To use virtual reality, one must immerse themselves in a virtual environment. There are several ways to achieve this.
In the past, the CAVE system (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), a 3D setup consisting of multiple screen walls, was the primary method used. This system allowed users to be fully immersed in the virtual world, with their movements detected in real-time. However, this technology was expensive and not widely accessible.
Since around 2016, with the introduction of virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, VR has become much more accessible. These headsets immerse users in virtual reality through an enclosed screen that projects digital images. The user's head movements are tracked, enabling them to look around and interact with the environment as they would in the real world.
Today, VR headsets are wireless and standalone, providing maximum comfort and ease of use without requiring external sensors or cables.
A virtual environment is an immersive digital simulation created through virtual reality. It allows users to navigate in a 3D space that accurately replicates everyday situations or specific contexts.
In mental health, these environments are designed to help individuals gradually face certain situations, manage their emotions, or enhance cognitive skills. By interacting with these virtual spaces, patients can engage in meaningful experiences tailored to their needs.
You need to equip yourself with a virtual reality headset. Our software is compatible with Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. 
You will then only need an internet connection. 
Numerous studies confirm that virtual reality is safe to use. However, some restrictions are in place to protect users from potential adverse effects.
For instance, individuals with epilepsy and pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy.
As with any immersive technology, prolonged use may cause visual fatigue or mild discomfort, particularly for those sensitive to motion sickness. Therefore, it is recommended to take regular breaks and adjust session durations according to individual needs.
Virtual environments are designed to be gradual and controlled, minimizing the risk of excessive anxiety. Most users quickly adapt to immersion and experience the benefits of this innovative approach from the first sessions.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be effectively treated using virtual reality. Patients are gradually and progressively exposed to anxiety-inducing situations in various environments while remaining in a safe space. This process helps develop a sense of habituation, ultimately reducing or even eliminating anxiety over time.
Behavioral and substance addictions can also be addressed through virtual reality. By incorporating synthetic stimuli into the environments that trigger craving responses, patients struggling with addiction can work on their cravings to diminish the urge to consume.
Additionally, multiple environments—such as bars, casinos, and social settings—enable cognitive work on dysfunctional beliefs associated with specific temptation scenarios.
Regarding eating disorders, virtual reality software helps target key etiological factors, such as body dysmorphia, allocentric lock (a tendency to focus on others rather than oneself), and food cravings.
Currently, our TERV (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) solutions include multiple software programs designed to address critical psychiatric, psychological, and neuropsychological determinants such as relaxation, cognitive stimulation, behavioral activation, and social skills training.
Reminiscence therapy is also a major therapeutic tool in treating depression. By allowing patients to relive sensations linked to past pleasurable activities (such as sports, driving, or traveling), virtual reality stimulates hypoactive brain areas, enhancing therapeutic success. VR serves as an excellent mediator for reigniting engagement in enjoyable activities.
Moreover, cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals is another area where virtual reality proves beneficial. By leveraging technology to make stimulation activities more engaging and accessible, patients and nursing home residents can improve executive functions and memory through specially designed applications.
Today, virtual reality in mental health care is advancing rapidly. Researchers, clinicians, and developers continue to explore new therapeutic targets to offer innovative and effective treatment solutions in the near future.
VR can be used by all healthcare professionals assisting patients with anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions, or other psychological challenges.
It is particularly beneficial for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialized nurses, as well as psychomotor therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, sophrologists, and hypnotherapists. With a wide range of immersive environments, VR enhances therapeutic approaches and provides innovative tools to improve patient care.
Healthcare providers incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) expand their range of treatment options. VRET is a well-established therapeutic technique with scientific validation from cognitive-behavioral therapy research.
  • Professional Differentiation: Integrating VR into practice allows therapists to stand out from traditional treatment options.
  • Scientific Validation: VRET is backed by extensive research, reinforcing its credibility as an effective treatment method.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The interactive nature of VR fosters greater patient involvement in therapy.
  • Time-Saving: VR provides direct access to various exposure environments without needing external logistics.

One of the considerable advantages of virtual reality is that it is effective on a wide spectrum of populations. Existing data from the literature on the subject shows us that it is entirely possible to expose a wide age group to virtual reality, with real therapeutic benefits.

The studies attest, in fact, to excellent feasibility and significant results; particularly in adults, in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders.

The results are identical for adolescents with a significant added value concerning therapeutic engagement where virtual reality promotes adolescents' interest in their therapy.

Among elderly subjects, study results encourage the use of virtual reality with the aim of working on cognitive stimulation, on behavioral disorders but also on anxiety.

One of the major advantages of virtual reality is its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of the population. Existing literature on the subject shows that virtual reality can be used with individuals of various age groups, providing significant therapeutic benefits.
Studies confirm excellent feasibility and significant results, particularly among adults in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.
The results are equally promising for adolescents, with a notable advantage in terms of therapeutic engagement, as virtual reality enhances their interest and participation in treatment.
For older adults, research supports the use of virtual reality to improve cognitive stimulation, behavioral disorders, and anxiety management.
However, people with epilepsy and pregnant individuals are not advised to undergo this type of therapy.
Yes, all our environments are grouped within a single application.
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