What's New

The latest changes, known issues, and version history. Click any version to expand its changelog.

Known Issues

The following issues are known and being worked on. You do not need to report these.

Version History

Choosing Your VR Headset

Therapy withVR runs on Meta Quest VR headsets. You purchase the headset yourself - we supply the software separately.

Recommended VR Headset

Meta Quest 3S (128 GB) is the model we recommend for most users. The 128 GB version provides more than enough storage.

• USD: ~$350   EUR: ~€350   GBP: ~£310

Buy from Meta →

Compatible VR Headsets

• Meta Quest 2
• Meta Quest Pro
• Meta Quest 3
• Meta Quest 3S

Where to Buy

Meta ships directly to many countries including the US, UK, most of Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, and more. Also available from Amazon, Coolblue, Target, Walmart, and local electronics retailers worldwide.

Optional: Silicone Facial Cover

For settings where hygiene is a priority - hospitals, clinics, or research labs - a silicone facial cover makes it easy to wipe clean between users.

• Silicone cover for Meta Quest 3S on Meta's website
• Make sure you order the cover for your specific VR headset model
• Sometimes out of stock - search Amazon or local retailers as an alternative
• We suggest buying two covers so one is always available while the other is being cleaned

Setup & Onboarding

From unboxing your VR headset to logging in for the first time - follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Set Up Your Meta Quest

Step 2: Send Us Your Email Address

Email [email protected] with the email address you used to create your Meta account. We will add you to the approved access list. You will then receive an invitation email from Meta.

Step 3: Accept the Meta Invitation

Open the email from Meta. Find the Accept link - it is embedded in the body text, not a large button. Click it and sign into your Meta account if prompted.

Step 4: Restart Your VR Headset

Hold the power button until the screen goes black, wait a few seconds, then hold it again to turn back on.

Step 5: Install the VR App

Step 6: Create Your Web App Account

While the VR app downloads, go to the withVR web app on your computer and click the blue Sign Up button. Enter your email and password, accept the terms, and complete your profile.

Step 7: Log Into the VR App

Open Therapy withVR from your Library. On the wall in front of you, you will see Email Address and Password fields.

• Controllers: point at a field and pull the trigger to select, then use the floating keyboard.
• Hands: point with your index finger and pinch to select; type with the floating keyboard using pinches.

Sign in with your Therapy withVR web app credentials - the email and password you created at the withVR web app. Not your Meta account.

Step 8: Wait for Avatars to Load

After signing in, a loading message appears on the wall. Adult avatars load first, then children avatars. When complete, a longer line of instruction text replaces the loading message. You are now ready for your onboarding training call.

Setting Up for Children

If the person using the VR headset is a child, there are a few additional things to consider during setup.

Strap and fit

The standard Meta Quest strap may not fit smaller heads securely. The Elite Strap (available from Meta) provides a dial-based fit adjustment that works much better for children. A loose strap causes the headset to shift during sessions, which breaks immersion and can cause discomfort.

Boundary setup

Set the boundary while the child is in the position they will use during the session - usually seated. Because children are shorter, a boundary drawn while an adult is holding the headset will be at the wrong height, and the virtual floor may appear too low or too high. If the boundary feels wrong once the child puts the headset on, you can reset it: start the session, pause it, then have the child put the headset on and redraw the boundary from their seated position.

Session length

Keep first sessions short - 3 to 5 minutes. Children often engage intensely with VR, so shorter sessions at higher frequency work better than longer ones. Set the Maximum Duration in Setup accordingly.

Starting gently

Consider starting with the Animal situation (a kitten or bunny) rather than a human avatar. Some children find it easier to speak to an animal first. The without VR option on the Start screen can also help - show the child what the environment looks like on your laptop before they put the headset on.

Teams & Multi-VR Headset Setups

• Shared VR headset: Use a shared team email address so access is not lost if a team member leaves
• Multiple VR headsets: Create a separate email address for each headset
• One email address per VR headset - this is required
• You only need inbox access once to accept the Meta invitation

Web App Account Setup

Create and configure your account at the withVR web app.

The Sign In Page

When you open the web app, you will land on the Sign In page. From here you can sign in, create a new account, or reset your password.

Creating an Account

Resetting Your Password

You must be signed out to reset your password. The Manage button only appears on the Sign In screen.

Welcome Screen & Main Menu

Your starting point every time you sign in to the web app - and the place to check your VR app status before each session.

The Welcome Screen

After signing in, you will see the Welcome to Therapy withVR screen with a blue Start button and a VR app status message below it.

VR App Status

Below the Start button, the Welcome screen always shows the current status of your VR app. You do not need to put the VR headset on to check.

The Main Menu

Click Start to enter the Main Menu. You will see three options:

Settings

Language

Change the web app interface language at any time from the Language dropdown. Changes take effect immediately across the entire software.

OpenAI Features

Optional AI features are off by default. Check the OpenAI checkbox to enable them. An Extra button appears to configure individual features.

Important Information for Clinicians

• You are always in control. AI features generate content. You decide whether to use it, modify it, or discard it.
• AI-generated content should be reviewed before use. Text generation and translation may produce errors or inappropriate content. Always review before presenting to an individual.
• Do not enter identifiable information into AI text fields. Text entered into translation, generation, or autocorrect fields may be processed by OpenAI. Use pseudonyms or generic descriptions instead of real names or identifying details.
• Avatar voices are AI-synthesized. Avatar voices are AI-synthesized using Google Text-to-Speech in every session. The person inside VR hears a synthetic voice, not a human recording. Before using the platform with an individual, ensure they are informed that the voices they will hear are AI-generated.
• Be aware of automation bias. Automation bias is the tendency to trust AI-generated output simply because it came from a machine. Always apply your own professional judgment when reviewing AI-generated text. Your expertise takes precedence over any AI output.
• AI features can be turned off. OpenAI-powered features are optional and off by default. If they are not appropriate for your setting, do not activate them.

What Uses AI

What Does Not Use AI

• Session control (starting, pausing, stopping)
• Avatar behavior and gestures
• Environment selection and customization
• Profile creation and management
• All clinical and educational decisions

Data and Privacy

Text sent to OpenAI for translation, generation, or autocorrect is processed via the OpenAI API. Under OpenAI's API data usage policy, API inputs are not used to train OpenAI's models. Text sent to Google for voice synthesis is processed via Google Cloud Text-to-Speech.

No client names, session recordings, or personally identifiable information are sent to these services as part of normal platform operation. For more detail, see the Privacy Policy.

For a full list of all AI features and what each one does, see Features > AI.

Art

A curated collection of artwork by artists who stutter - for use in sessions and the Waiting Room.

Current Artists

The Art Screen

From the Main Menu, click Art. The screen has two columns: Preview Art on the left for browsing, and Select Art on the right for choosing what to display inside VR.

Previewing Art

Use the Preview Art dropdown to browse artwork. Click any image to view it full screen. Click again to return.

Some artworks have audio buttons:

• Read - plays the artist reading the text in the artwork
• Explain - plays the artist explaining why they made it and how they felt

A playing button turns red with an X - click it again to stop.

About the Artist

Click the About button (person icon) to see the artist's full name, location, country flag, and biography. Social media icons at the bottom show a QR code when clicked - scan with your phone to open the link. Click the blue tick to close.

Thanking an Artist

Click the Thank button (thumbs up icon) to send a message - share how you used their work or simply say thank you. The From field is optional. Click the blue tick to send.

Displaying Art Inside VR

In the Select Art column, use each artist's dropdown to choose what to show on the wall in the Waiting Room. Options are None, specific artwork titles, or Random (loads a different piece each time the Waiting Room opens).

AI

Optional AI features that help you create more responsive, natural-feeling conversations - all controlled by you.

Overview

Therapy withVR includes optional AI-powered features that support you in creating more meaningful and relatable experiences for the individuals you work with. These features help you generate conversation content, respond quickly during a session, translate between languages, and adjust how avatars sound and speak.

The person inside VR does not interact with the AI directly. Everything the avatars say is controlled by you. The AI generates suggestions and content - you always decide what gets used.

Enabling AI Features

AI features are optional and off by default. If they are not appropriate for your setting, you do not need to activate them.

Informed Consent

The avatar voices the person inside VR hears are AI-synthesized - they are not human recordings. If you enable optional AI features, some of the sentences avatars say may also be AI-generated. No personally identifiable information about the person inside VR is sent to any AI provider as part of normal use.

Before using the platform with an individual, ensure they are informed of the following:

• That the voices inside VR are AI-generated, not human recordings
• That some conversation content may also be generated by AI
• That no audio, video, or speech from the person inside VR is captured or sent anywhere

How you communicate this is up to you - it may be part of a written consent form, a verbal explanation before the session, or your organization's standard technology disclosure process.

For more guidance on informed consent and technology in your practice, see the Technology Checklist for SLPs resource pack at withvr.app.

Feature Reference

The following features are available when OpenAI is enabled. Each one is controlled independently from the Extra panel in Settings.

Generate Text

During a session, type a topic into the input bar (for example, "cooking" or "Roblox") and click the Generate Text robot icon. Three AI-generated questions appear as bubbles. Click one to have the selected avatar say it. You can also add instructions to your topic to shape the output - for example, "Roblox but use simple words for 3rd grade" or "weekend plans using Gen Alpha slang."

Generate Text (read-aloud)

Click the book icon (next to the repeat button) to generate a longer passage on a topic, in language suited to the individual. This is useful when the individual is practicing reading aloud or sustained speech rather than conversation.

Formality

Use the formality dropdown (Neutral, Informal, or Formal) to control the tone of AI-generated text. This affects both Generate Text output and AI Prompt responses. A job interview scenario might call for Formal. A casual chat in the Café works better with Informal. Neutral sits in between.

AI Prompts

14 buttons on the right panel of the session screen for responding quickly to what the person inside VR just said. Each works in two ways:

• Click the robot icon next to the word - generates 3 options for you to choose from (safer, because you review before the avatar speaks)
• Click the word itself - the avatar speaks immediately without preview (faster, but you have less control over exact wording)

Translate

Type text in the input bar, select a target language from the dropdown, and click the globe icon. The avatar says the translated version. This works even if you do not speak the target language yourself - the AI handles the translation.

Autocorrect

When enabled, Autocorrect fixes spelling and grammar in text you type for an avatar to say. This runs automatically before the avatar speaks, so small typing errors do not affect what the person inside VR hears.

Whisper

Whisper uses speech recognition to convert your spoken words into text. During Setup, click Start Recording next to a sentence field, speak for up to 5 seconds, and the text appears. This is useful for quickly adding sentences during preparation without typing each one.

Speaker Grammar

In some languages, the correct grammar depends on the gender of the speaker. For example, in Portuguese, a male speaker says "Obrigado" while a female speaker says "Obrigada." When Speaker Grammar is enabled, the AI automatically adjusts the grammar of each sentence to match the voice gender of the avatar before they speak. This happens behind the scenes - you write one sentence, and the AI adapts it for whichever avatar says it.

Emotional Speech

When an avatar has a WAVENET or STANDARD voice type and any emotion other than Neutral is applied, the AI automatically generates SSML code behind the scenes to adjust the voice. This changes the pitch, speed, pause length, emphasis, and volume to match the avatar's emotion - making a Happy avatar sound upbeat, or a Sad avatar sound slower and quieter.

You do not see or edit the SSML. You simply set the avatar's emotion, and the AI adjusts the voice to match. If the avatar's emotion is set to Neutral, no changes are made to the voice. If the avatar uses a different voice type (not WAVENET or STANDARD), this feature does not apply - the avatar speaks in its standard voice regardless of the emotion setting.

What Uses AI

What Does Not Use AI

• Session control (starting, pausing, stopping)
• Avatar behavior, gestures, and facial expressions
• Environment selection and customization
• Profile creation and management
• Sound effects and ambience
• Art display in the Waiting Room

Data and Privacy

Avatar voices are AI-synthesized using Google Cloud Text-to-Speech in every session. This is not an optional feature - all avatar speech uses synthetic voices. The person inside VR always hears an AI-generated voice, not a human recording.

Text sent to OpenAI for translation, generation, autocorrect, speaker grammar, formality, or emotional speech is processed via the OpenAI API. Under OpenAI's API data usage policy, API inputs are not used to train OpenAI's models by default. Text sent to Google for voice synthesis is processed via Google Cloud Text-to-Speech.

No names, session recordings, or personally identifiable information are sent to these services as part of normal use. For more detail, see the Privacy Policy.

Updating the Software

How to keep the VR app and web app up to date.

Web App

The web app updates automatically. Every time you open the withVR web app in your browser, you are using the latest version. There is nothing you need to do.

If you notice something behaving unexpectedly after a long session, try refreshing the page in your browser. This ensures you have the most recent version loaded.

VR App

The VR app is updated like any other Meta Quest app. There are two ways to check and install updates:

Method 1: Check from the web app

The Welcome screen of the web app always shows the current status of your VR app. You do not need to put the VR headset on to check.

Method 2: Update from the VR headset

How to Tell Which Version You Have

The web app version is shown in the top right corner of the documentation and in the web app itself. The Welcome screen status check confirms whether your VR app matches the latest available version.

What to Do If an Update Fails

• Make sure the VR headset is connected to WiFi
• Check that the VR headset has enough storage space (the app requires approximately 430 MB)
• Restart the VR headset - hold the power button until the screen goes black, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on
• Try updating again from the App Library
• If the update still fails, contact [email protected]

Profiles

Profiles save your complete session settings for a specific use case or individual.

The Profiles Screen

Creating a Profile

Click Add Profile and fill in a Label and a Name. Click Add to save. You can create as many profiles as you need.

Managing a Profile

Click any profile row to open its options:

Choosing a Situation

After selecting a profile, you will see the 12 situations. Click one to load its Setup screen.

Two situations have extra options before Setup loads:

• Speaking Circle - choose number of seats (2-12, includes the person's own chair)
• Animal - choose Kitten or Bunny

Setup: Preparing a Situation

Configure avatars, emotions, voices, objects, sentences, and session duration. All settings save automatically.

Tab 1: Select Avatar

Placing Avatars

Use the left/right arrows to browse avatars. Click a numbered blue circle in the VR preview to place the current avatar there. The circle turns green when occupied. You can place the same avatar in multiple positions.

Three icon buttons at the top right of the VR preview let you place a random avatar in one position, fill all positions with random avatars, or clear all positions.

Emotions

Change an avatar's emotion from the Emotion dropdown below their name. The change instantly updates their facial expression, the color of the sphere above their head, and their appearance inside VR.

Voices

Click Test to hear the current voice. Click Change to configure language, voice type (CHIRP3-HD, WAVENET, or STANDARD), gender, and specific voice. CHIRP3-HD voices are preferred - they sound more natural and start speaking faster. Pitch and rate adjustment is only available for WAVENET and STANDARD voices.

Tab 2: Objects

Toggle situation-specific objects on and off. The Laptop must be visible to display text on it during a session. The Extra dropdown adds one conversation-starter prop.

Extra object options: None, Random, Wallet, Phone, Rubber Duck, Apple, Banana, Orange, Book, Ball, Cake, Stuttering Pride Flag.

Tab 3: Sentences

Sentences are organized into groups (Default + Groups 1-9). They serve two purposes: making avatars speak out loud, or displaying text on the laptop screen inside VR.

Click any sentence to edit it - type directly, or use Start Recording to speak it in (requires OpenAI Whisper enabled). You have 5 seconds to record. Click Edit to save.

Maximum Duration

Default: 15 minutes. For a first session, set to 5 minutes or less. The timer counts up during a session and the session ends automatically when it reaches the maximum. You can stop it earlier at any time.

The Room Situation

The most customizable situation - with full control over dimensions, colors, lighting, and layout.

Room-Specific Objects

1. Room Dimensions

Set the Length, Width, and Height of the room. All default to 5 meters.

2. Avatar Distance

Control how close or far the avatar is from the person inside VR. Backward/Forward defaults to 2 meters. Left/Right defaults to 0 meters.

3. Desk Divider

Add a divider between the person and the avatars. Set the height (default 0.3 meters), opacity, and whether the front and side panels are visible.

4. Room Color

Select a surface (Walls, Floor, Ceiling), choose a color using the color wheel or RGB values (0-255 each), and click Change. Default wall color: RGB 240 / 230 / 220.

5. Lighting

Two sliders: overall room brightness (default 1.22) and an individual light source (default 1.69).

6. Laptop & Extra

Same as all other situations. The Laptop is on by default - it must be visible to display text during a session.

Avatar Positions

2 positions - both seated at the table (left and right). The minimal environment places full focus on the interaction.

Good For

Recreating specific environments, interview simulations, highly customized scenarios, clinical and research use.

Starting a Session

From the Setup screen to the moment the session begins - two steps: the Goal screen and the Start popup.

Step 1: The Goal Screen

Click the blue → Start arrow on the far right of the Setup screen. A Goal popup appears.

• Type a goal if you are using one, and rate confidence from 1-10
• Or click Skip to move on without recording a goal
• Click Back to return to Setup

Step 2: Choosing How to Start

Starting Without VR

The "without VR" option runs a full session entirely on the web app. Everything works the same - avatars, sentences, emotions, sounds, AI features - except the experience is on your laptop screen instead of inside a VR headset. This is not just a fallback or a practice mode. It is a valid way to run sessions, and many professionals use it regularly.

Common reasons to start without VR:

• Familiarization before VR - show the individual what the environment and avatars look like on your laptop screen before they put the VR headset on, so the experience is not completely unfamiliar when they enter VR
• Video call sessions - run a session over a video call by sharing your screen, when you and the individual are not in the same room
• When the VR headset is not available - you are visiting a school, clinic, or home and did not bring the VR headset with you
• When the individual cannot wear the VR headset - they may not like things on their head, they may be too young for the VR headset to fit comfortably, or they may have other reasons to prefer working without it
• Demos and presentations - showing the software to colleagues, managers, or at a conference on a laptop or projected onto a large screen

Starting With VR

Before clicking anything, make sure the person inside VR has opened the app, signed in, and the instruction text is visible on the wall.

The Waiting Room (VR)

What the person inside VR sees before and between sessions.

The Sign In Screen

When the VR app is first opened, the person sees a Sign In screen on the wall with Email Address and Password fields and a blue Sign In button. They use the trigger to select fields and sign in with their web app credentials.

The Waiting Room

After signing in and avatars have loaded, the person is in the Waiting Room - an empty café-style room with a chair beneath them. On the front wall: the Therapy withVR logo, instruction text ("...press 'Start' and then press the 'with VR' button twice"), and any artwork selected in the Art section.

Checking for VR App Updates

The Welcome screen of the web app shows your VR app status - no need to put the VR headset on to check.

Exiting and Signing Out

The person inside VR has a few ways to leave the app:

Resetting Position Inside VR

If the person feels they are facing the wrong way, are in the wrong position, or are too high or too low, have them point the controller straight ahead and press and hold the Meta button on the right controller until the view resets. For more detail, see Meta's guide to resetting your view.

VR Boundaries

A Stationary boundary is sufficient for most sessions - the person typically stays in one place, either sitting or standing. If the person wants to move around slightly, a Roomscale boundary can be set up. Make sure the space is clear of obstacles, and the VR headset will display a warning when the person approaches the edge of their boundary. For more detail on setting up boundaries, see Meta's boundary guide.

The Session Screen

Your live control panel for everything that happens inside VR during a session.

The Timer

Green timer (left) counts up from 0:00. Red timer (right) counts down from your maximum duration. A blue bar fills the space between them as the session progresses.

Selecting Avatars

Click an avatar in the VR preview to select them. A white highlight appears around the selected avatar - only visible on the web app, not inside VR. Three buttons at the top right of the preview let you select a random avatar, select all, or deselect all.

Changing Emotions

With at least one avatar selected, a column of colored circles appears on the left edge of the VR preview. Click any circle to apply that emotion instantly. Hover over circles to see their names.

Making Avatars Speak

Method 1: Sentence Groups

Click a group name on the left panel, then click any sentence. The selected avatar says it immediately. If multiple avatars are selected, only the most recently selected one speaks.

Method 2: Type Anything

Click the text input bar at the top, type anything, and press Return. The selected avatar says it immediately.

Method 3: Repeat

Click the circular arrow icon (far left of the top bar) to repeat the last thing said. You can select a different avatar first.

Laptop Text Display

Click the laptop icon next to any sentence to show it on the laptop screen inside VR. Or click the laptop itself in the preview - a text field appears where you can type anything directly and press Return.

AI Features During a Session

Generate Text (topic-based)

Type a topic in the input bar (e.g. "Roblox"), then click the Generate Text robot icon. Three AI-generated questions appear as bubbles. Click one to make the selected avatar ask it. Use the formality dropdown (Neutral / Informal / Formal) to control the tone.

Generate Text (read-aloud)

Click the book icon (next to the repeat button) to generate a longer passage on a topic the individual knows well, in language suited to them.

Translate

Type in the input bar, select a target language from the dropdown, and click the globe icon. The avatar says the translated version.

AI Prompts

14 buttons on the right panel for responding quickly to what the person inside VR just said. Each works in two ways:

• Click the robot icon - generates 3 options for you to choose from (safer)
• Click the word itself - the avatar speaks immediately without preview (faster)

Sounds

Eight sound categories at the bottom: Ambience, Eat & Drink, Environmental, Technology, Disruption, Heartbeat, Animal & Insect, Outdoor. Click a category to expand it and see individual sounds. Click a sound to play it. Low / Medium / High Ambience loops continuously. All sounds are spatial. Click the mute icon to stop all sounds immediately.

Eye Contact

Click the eye icon (bottom right of the preview) - selected avatars turn to face and follow the person inside VR. Click the eye with a line through it above it to make avatars look straight ahead again.

The Café Waiter

If an avatar is placed behind the bar, a briefcase icon appears ("Go To Table"). Click it to send the avatar to the table - they will arrive holding a notepad and pencil. Click again ("Leave Table") to send them back.

Pausing a Session

Click the red pause button (bottom right of the preview). The entire UI turns red. Timer, avatar movements, and sounds all pause. Use this time to check in with the person inside VR. Click the green play button to resume.

Finishing a Session

Click the green tick button (bottom right). Confirm with Yes. The Goal screen appears before you return to the Main Menu.

Inside VR During a Session

Ending a Session

The post-session goal rating and returning to the Main Menu.

Post-Session Goal Rating

After confirming the session is finished, the Goal screen appears. If a goal was entered, it is displayed. Rate confidence from 1-10, or click Skip. There is no Back button - the session has ended. Either action returns you to the Main Menu.

Rating the Goal During a Session

If a goal is set, it is displayed in the top area of the session screen with a small goal icon to its right. Click the icon at any moment to show the 1-10 rating scale inline. Click a number to record the rating. You can do this as many times as you like.

The Profiles Screen After a Session

The profile row now shows the goal text in the Goal column and the session time in the Last Session column.

After the Session

• Debrief - ask how the person felt, what they noticed, and what they would like to do differently next time
• Record notes in your own system - not in the software
• Adjust Setup for the next session based on what you learned

Guide for the Person Wearing the VR Headset

Share this with the individual before their first session. Written in plain, accessible language.

Before You Put the VR Headset On

Everything has been set up for you in advance. You do not need to do anything technical. The session is entirely at your pace - nothing will happen without the person working with you making it happen. There is no right or wrong way to respond.

Putting the VR Headset On

The Waiting Room

When the session begins, you will be in an empty café-style room - the Waiting Room. It is empty except for the chair you are sitting on. You may see artwork on the wall. You do not need to do anything - just look around and get comfortable.

When the Session Starts

You will be placed inside a new environment - a café, classroom, bakery, or another setting. You will see avatars around you. They will look and feel like real people in a real space. Your only job is to listen to what they say and respond naturally, in your own time. There are no buttons to press and no way to do anything wrong.

If You Want to Pause or Stop

Simply say so out loud at any time. The person working with you will hear you and can pause or end the session. You can also exit yourself: press the Meta button on the right controller and select Quit.

Resetting Your Position

If you feel like you are facing the wrong way or are in the wrong position, point your controller straight ahead and hold the Meta button until the view resets.

How You Might Feel

It is completely normal to feel curious, a little nervous, or slightly disoriented - especially the first time. These feelings usually pass within the first minute or two. If anything feels uncomfortable, let the person working with you know.

After the Session

When the session ends, you will return to the Waiting Room. The person working with you will let you know when it is safe to take the VR headset off. Take a moment before standing up - especially if it was your first time in VR.

A Note on Privacy

Everything that happens inside VR is between you and the person working with you.

• The VR app does not record any audio or video from sessions
• No recording of what you say or do is stored anywhere
• Session data is limited to timing, avatar positions, and actions taken - no personal content
• All data is stored on servers located in Frankfurt, Germany

The voices you hear from avatars are AI-synthesized using Google Text-to-Speech - they are not human recordings. If the person running your session has enabled optional AI features, some of the sentences avatars say may also be AI-generated. No personally identifiable information about you is sent to any AI provider as part of normal use.

Use Cases

Real examples from practitioners, researchers, and educators - each showing a different way to use Therapy withVR, with suggestions for how to set it up.

Using Art in Your Sessions

How to use the built-in art gallery as a conversation starter, reflection tool, and way for people to feel less alone.

What the Art Is For

Every piece of art in Therapy withVR was created by someone who stutters. The collection includes poems, illustrations, comics, photographs, and paintings - each one reflecting real, lived experience.

The art is not just decoration for the Waiting Room. It is a tool you can use to open conversations, spark reflection, and help individuals feel that their experiences are shared by others. Seeing their own feelings reflected in someone else's creative work can be powerful - especially for young people who may feel they are the only one going through it.

Getting to Know the Art Yourself

Before using art with someone else, take time to explore it yourself. From the Main Menu, open Art and use the Preview Art dropdown to browse each artist's work.

For each piece, try the following:

• Look at the artwork - what does it make you think about? What feelings come through?
• Listen to the Read audio - for poems and text-based works, the artist reads their own piece aloud
• Listen to the Explain audio - the artist shares why they made it and how they felt, in their own voice
• Read the artist's bio - click About to learn who they are and where they are from

This preparation helps you choose pieces that connect to what a particular individual is experiencing, and lets you guide the conversation with confidence.

Using Art as a Conversation Starter

Display one or more artworks in the Waiting Room before the session begins (see Features > Art > Displaying Art Inside VR). When the person inside VR puts the VR headset on, the art is on the wall in front of them.

You can use the art to open a conversation before, during, or after a session. Some approaches that work well:

• Ask what they see - "What do you notice in this picture?" or "What do you think is happening here?" There are no wrong answers.
• Ask what they feel - "Does anything in this remind you of how you feel sometimes?" This works especially well with illustrations and poems where emotions are visible.
• Play the artist's voice - use the Read or Explain buttons (available both in the Web App preview and inside VR in the Waiting Room) so the individual hears the artist talk about their own experience. Hearing someone else speak openly about stuttering can be a meaningful moment.
• Connect it to their experience - if the individual relates to something in the artwork, follow that thread. The art gives people a way to talk about difficult feelings at one step removed - through someone else's work rather than directly about themselves.

Using the Thank Button as a Reflection Tool

After discussing a piece of art, invite the individual to send a message to the artist using the Thank button. This is more than a simple thank-you - it is a chance for the individual to put their own thoughts and feelings into words.

The Thank message is sent directly to the withVR team, who pass it on to the artist. It is a real connection between the individual and the person who made the artwork. You might prompt them with:

• "Would you like to tell the artist what you thought of their work?"
• "Is there anything you would want the artist to know about how their piece made you feel?"

The From field is optional - the individual can include their first name or leave it blank.

Choosing Art for Different Situations

Different pieces suit different conversations. Here are some starting points:

Use the Random setting in the Select Art dropdown to show a different piece each session. This keeps things fresh and can surprise both you and the individual with unexpected starting points.

Practical Tips

• Preview before every session - make sure you know what will be on the wall before the person puts the VR headset on
• One or two pieces is enough - a focused conversation about one artwork is more valuable than rushing through several
• Clear the art when you do not need it - set all Select Art dropdowns to None if you want the Waiting Room to be plain for a particular session
• Combine with the Explain audio - hearing the artist's own voice adds a personal dimension that the image alone does not have
• Let the individual lead - if they want to spend time with the art, let them. If they are ready to move on, that is fine too

Using AI in Your Sessions

Practical use cases showing how AI features help you create more meaningful and relatable experiences for the individuals you work with.

Making Conversations Feel Natural

Keeping the pace of a real conversation

One of the biggest challenges when running a session is typing fast enough to keep the conversation flowing. If there is a long pause between what the person inside VR says and what the avatar says back, the experience starts to feel artificial.

The AI features reduce the need to type. Use AI Prompts to acknowledge, encourage, or clarify what the person just said with a single click. Use Generate Text to produce follow-up questions from a topic instead of composing them yourself. The less you need to type, the more natural the conversation feels from inside the VR headset.

Features used: AI Prompts, Generate Text

Following an unexpected thread

Sometimes the person inside VR mentions something you did not prepare for - a hobby, a memory, a strong opinion. These moments are often the most valuable parts of a session. Instead of steering the conversation back to your plan, you can follow their lead.

Type their topic into the input bar and use Generate Text to produce questions about it instantly. If the individual mentions they cook, type "cooking" and generate three follow-up questions. If they bring up a game you have never heard of, type the name and let the AI create questions - even if you know nothing about the topic yourself.

Features used: Generate Text

Expanding on what the avatar already asked

After the avatar asks a question and the person responds, use the Elaborate AI Prompt to have the avatar ask for more detail about what they just said. This keeps the conversation going deeper on the same topic without you needing to think of a follow-up question yourself. Other prompts like Clarify, Reflect, and Hypothesize work similarly - each one takes the conversation in a slightly different direction based on what was just said.

Features used: AI Prompts (Elaborate, Clarify, Reflect, Hypothesize)

Helping someone open up

Some individuals use very few words, especially at the start. AI features help you keep the conversation going long enough for the person to relax and say more than they typically would. Quick responses through AI Prompts keep the rhythm going so there are no awkward silences. Generate Text can introduce new angles on a topic, giving the person more to respond to. Over time, a steady stream of natural-feeling questions and responses can lower the pressure enough for someone to open up in ways they might not in a face-to-face setting.

Features used: AI Prompts, Generate Text

Matching the Individual's World

Generating questions on topics you do not know

The person inside VR may want to talk about something you are unfamiliar with - a video game, a TV show, a niche hobby. You do not need to know the topic yourself. Type it into the input bar and use Generate Text to create relevant questions. The AI draws on its own knowledge of the topic, so the avatar can ask informed questions even when you cannot.

Features used: Generate Text

Using language the individual relates to

You can shape what the AI produces by adding instructions to your topic. If you are working with a younger person, try typing "weekend plans using Gen Alpha slang" or "Roblox but keep it casual." The AI adjusts its vocabulary and tone to match. Combined with the Formality dropdown set to Informal, this makes the avatar sound more like someone the individual would actually talk to.

Features used: Generate Text, Formality

Adjusting sentence complexity

The same topic can be explored at different language levels. Add instructions to your Generate Text input to control complexity - for example, "animals but use simple words for 2nd grade" for simpler vocabulary, or "climate change using academic language" for more complex sentences. This lets you match the output to the individual's current abilities without preparing everything in advance.

Features used: Generate Text

Changing formality to match the situation

A job interview requires different language than a chat with a friend. Use the Formality dropdown to switch between Formal, Neutral, and Informal for all AI-generated text. This affects both Generate Text output and AI Prompt responses. You can change it at any point during the session - start Formal for an interview scenario, then switch to Informal for a casual debrief.

Features used: Formality

Speaking the individual's language

If the person inside VR speaks a different language than you do, use Translate to have the avatar speak in their language. Type a sentence in your own language, select the target language from the dropdown, and click the globe icon. The avatar says the translated version. This means you can run a meaningful session in a language you do not speak - the AI handles the translation.

Features used: Translate

Getting gendered grammar right automatically

In many languages, the correct word form depends on the gender of the person speaking. If you prepare a sentence and one avatar says it correctly, a different avatar with a different voice gender might need different grammar. Speaker Grammar handles this automatically - the AI adjusts the grammar of each sentence to match the voice gender of the avatar before they speak. You write one sentence and it works for any avatar.

Features used: Speaker Grammar

Making Avatars Feel Real

Matching avatar voice to emotion

When you set an avatar's emotion to something other than Neutral and their voice type is WAVENET or STANDARD, the Emotional Speech feature automatically adjusts how the avatar sounds. A Happy avatar speaks with a higher pitch and faster pace. A Sad avatar sounds slower and quieter. This happens behind the scenes - you just set the emotion and the voice follows. Combined with the avatar's facial expression, this creates a more convincing character.

Features used: Emotional Speech

Customizing avatar voices

You can change individual avatar voices from the Setup screen to make them sound like someone the individual might actually encounter. Choose a voice that matches the age, gender, and accent appropriate for the scenario. Natural-sounding voices help the person inside VR engage more deeply with the experience.

Features used: Avatar voice selection (Setup screen)

Changing facial expressions in real time

During a session, change an avatar's emotion to match what the person inside VR is saying. If they tell a funny story, switch the avatar to Happy or Surprised. If they share something difficult, switch to Sad or Concerned. The person inside VR sees the avatar reacting to them in real time, which makes the interaction feel more like a genuine conversation and less like talking to a screen. Some individuals may not notice the changes at first - but once they do, it can shift their awareness of how others respond to them.

Features used: Real-time emotion controls (Session screen)

Building Someone Up

Using the avatar to encourage and validate

The Encourage, Compliment, Validate, and Acknowledge AI Prompts let you have the avatar respond positively and supportively with a single click. The avatar can tell the person they are doing well, that what they said was interesting, or that their effort is noticed. Hearing this from a virtual character in a realistic scenario can be a powerful experience - especially for someone who rarely hears it elsewhere.

Features used: AI Prompts (Encourage, Compliment, Validate, Acknowledge)

Preparation and Teamwork

Using Whisper to prepare sentences quickly

Instead of typing every sentence during Setup, use Whisper to speak them in. Click Start Recording next to a sentence field, say the sentence, and the text appears after up to 5 seconds. This is faster than typing, especially when you are preparing a large number of sentences across multiple groups.

Features used: Whisper

Standardizing sessions across a team

If you work with colleagues on a shared research project or want to keep sessions consistent across a team, you can coordinate your sentence preparation outside the software and then enter the agreed sentences into each person's own Setup screen.

A practical approach:

• Create a shared document (Word, Excel, or similar) with the questions, topics, and sentence groups your team has agreed on
• Organize sentences by group name so they match across everyone's Setup screens
• Each team member enters the sentences into their own account
• During sessions, everyone uses the same prepared material, reducing variability

This does not replace professional judgment during the session. Each person running a session can still adapt, skip, or add to the prepared material based on what happens in the moment. The shared document simply gives everyone a common starting point.

Putting It All Together

The most effective sessions often combine multiple AI features. Individually, each tool does something simple. Together, they create an experience that feels natural and responsive from the perspective of the person inside VR.

Here is what a typical flow might look like:

Practical Tips

• Start without AI - if you are new to the software, run your first few sessions using only prepared sentences and manual typing. Add AI features once you are comfortable with the basics.
• Preview before speed - use the robot icon (preview mode) until you are confident in what the AI tends to produce. Switch to clicking the word directly only when you trust the output for that specific prompt type.
• Prepare the predictable, generate the unexpected - use sentence groups for the parts of the conversation you can plan in advance. Use Generate Text and AI Prompts for the parts you cannot predict.
• Keep reviewing - even after many sessions, continue reading AI-generated text before sending it. Automation bias grows with familiarity.
• Remember the privacy rule - never type personal or identifying information into any AI text field. Use general topics instead of specific personal details.

Tips for Faster Sessions

Practical strategies for keeping conversations flowing naturally, so the experience feels real from inside the VR headset.

The Key Principle: Prepare While They Speak

The most important habit for running fast sessions is this: while the person inside VR is speaking, you are already preparing the next thing the avatar will say. You are not waiting for them to finish before you start thinking about what comes next. You are listening to them and - at the same time - opening a sentence group, hovering over an AI Prompt, or typing a topic into the input bar.

This means the gap between the person finishing their sentence and the avatar responding can be almost nothing. From inside the VR headset, it feels like a real conversation. From your laptop, it looks like you are always one step ahead.

Every strategy in this guide works best when you keep this parallel workflow in mind. The faster you can get your next move ready while the person is still talking, the more natural the experience feels.

Using AI Prompts During a Session

AI Prompts are your fastest option for keeping a conversation going. They are the 14 buttons on the right side of the session screen - each one generates a response based on what the person inside VR just said. One click, and the avatar reacts.

Each AI Prompt button works in two ways:

• Click the robot icon next to the word - three options appear for you to choose from. This gives you control over what the avatar says before it speaks.
• Click the word itself - the avatar speaks immediately with no preview. This is faster, but you do not see the response in advance.

When you are starting out, use the robot icon so you can review what the AI produces. As you get comfortable with how each prompt type tends to respond, you can start clicking the word directly for speed.

Which prompts to use when

Not all 14 prompts are equally useful for speed. Here are the ones that help most in keeping a conversation flowing:

The remaining prompts - Compliment, Thank, Apologize, Validate, Reflect, Hypothesize, Contrast, and Summarize - are useful in specific moments but come up less often during a fast-paced conversation.

A typical fast exchange using AI Prompts

Here is what a quick back-and-forth might look like during a session. Notice what you are doing while the person inside VR is still speaking:

Five exchanges, zero typing. The conversation feels natural from inside the VR headset because there is almost no gap between the person finishing a sentence and the avatar responding. You are always one step ahead.

Using Generate Text During a Session

When the person inside VR mentions a topic you did not prepare for, you do not need to think of questions yourself. While they are still talking about it, type the topic into the input bar at the top of the session screen - even just one or two words. When they finish, click the Generate Text robot icon. Three questions appear as bubbles. Click one, and the avatar asks it.

For example, if the person mentions they like cooking, start typing "cooking" while they are still speaking. By the time they finish their sentence, you are ready to click the robot icon. Three questions about cooking appear instantly. You do not need to know anything about the topic yourself - the AI handles it.

You can shape what the AI produces by being more specific in the input bar. Instead of just "cooking," try "cooking for beginners" or "baking with kids." The Formality dropdown (Neutral, Informal, Formal) also affects the tone of the generated questions.

Preparing Sentences Before a Session

Clicking a prepared sentence is always faster than typing one. The time you invest before a session directly reduces the pressure you feel during it.

Where sentences live

The Sentences tab in Setup gives you 10 groups: Default, plus Groups 1 through 9. Each group holds up to 11 sentences. During a session, these groups appear on the left panel of the session screen - click a group name to expand it, then click any sentence to make the selected avatar say it immediately. While the person inside VR is speaking, you can open the group you need next so the right sentence is ready to click the moment they finish.

How to organize your groups

Think of each group as a stage of the conversation or a category of things the avatar might need to say. Here is one way to organize them for a session about ordering food in a cafe:

This is just one example. There is no required structure - organize groups in whatever way makes sense for your session.

Walkthrough: preparing sentences step by step

Preparing together with the individual

Preparation does not have to happen alone. Some users prepare sentences together with the individual before going into VR - discussing what situations they find challenging, choosing what the avatars should say, and writing the questions together. This makes the setup itself a useful activity and means the session content is already personalized before it begins. It also gives the individual a sense of control over what they are about to experience.

Preparing outside the software for teams

If you work with colleagues on a shared research project or caseload, consider creating a shared document (Word, Excel, or similar) with your planned questions and sentences organized by group name. Each team member can then enter the same sentences into their own Setup screen. This saves time, keeps sessions consistent, and gives everyone a common starting point while still allowing each person to adapt during the session itself.

Combine Both: Click What You Prepared, Generate What You Did Not

The fastest sessions come from combining prepared sentences with AI features. Use sentence groups for the predictable parts of the conversation - opening questions, key topics, expected responses. Use Generate Text and AI Prompts for everything else - follow-up questions, reactions, new directions the conversation takes.

This way, you are never stuck typing under time pressure. You either click a prepared sentence or click an AI-generated response. The keyboard becomes a backup rather than your main tool.

The Startup Phase Takes Longer - That Is Normal

Getting the VR headset on, signing in, checking the connection, and starting the session takes more time than the session itself. Users consistently mention that most of the time pressure they feel happens during this startup phase, not during the actual conversation. This is normal and gets faster as you build a routine.

To keep the startup smooth:

• Charge the VR headset the night before - a dead or low battery during a session is the most common avoidable delay
• Check for VR app updates beforehand - the Welcome screen shows your VR app status (green, red, or blue). Update before the individual arrives, not during the session
• Keep the VR app signed in - unless your organization requires sign-out after each use, leaving the app signed in saves time at the start of the next session
• Prepare your profile and situation in advance - all settings save automatically, so you can set everything up hours or days ahead
• Have a short, familiar activity ready - while you get the connection working, the individual can browse artwork in the Waiting Room or look around the space

It Gets Easier with Practice

Users consistently report that the software feels much smoother after just a few sessions. The interface, the workflow, and the timing all become more natural with repetition. If your first few sessions feel slow or clunky, that is typical and temporary.

If possible, run a practice session on your own before your first session with an individual. Use the without VR start method to try the session screen, click through sentence groups, test the AI Prompts and Generate Text, and get familiar with where everything is. Even 10 minutes of practice makes a noticeable difference.

Spontaneous Sessions Are Possible

Once you are comfortable with the software, not every session needs extensive preparation. Some users run sessions on short notice - responding to what the individual wants to practice in the moment rather than planning everything ahead of time. With AI features handling most of the conversation, a session can come together quickly.

To make spontaneous sessions easier, keep a profile with a simple, versatile situation already set up - a Café or Classroom with a few avatars placed and neutral emotions. When the moment comes, open that profile, adjust the sentence groups if needed, and start. The AI features handle the rest.

Quick Reference

Sessions Without a VR Headset

The web app is not just a controller for VR - it is a fully functional tool on its own. Many professionals run sessions entirely on their computer screen.

How It Works

When you click without VR on the Start screen, the session runs entirely in your browser. Everything works the same as a full VR session - avatars speak, emotions change, sounds play, AI features respond - except the experience is on your laptop screen instead of inside a VR headset. Sound comes from your computer speakers or headphones.

From the individual's perspective, they are looking at an animated scene on a screen. It is less immersive than VR, but the interactions, conversations, and session structure are identical.

When to Use It

Familiarization before VR

For individuals who have never been inside VR, the experience can feel unknown and unpredictable. Showing them the environment on your laptop screen first - the cafe, the classroom, the avatars - removes some of that uncertainty. They can see what the avatars look like, hear what they sound like, and understand what will happen before the VR headset goes on.

This is especially useful for younger individuals and anyone who is hesitant about trying VR for the first time. A few minutes looking at the environment on a laptop can make the transition into the VR headset much smoother.

Sessions on video calls

If you and the individual are not in the same room, you can share your screen during a video call and run the session on the web app. The individual sees the avatars and hears them speak through the call. You control everything from your laptop as usual.

This makes it possible to continue working with individuals who cannot travel to your location, or to run sessions with individuals in different regions or countries.

Tips for video call sessions

• Position matters - before starting, click on different avatar positions in Setup to find a camera angle that feels natural for the individual as a viewer rather than a controller
• Let them direct you - rather than choosing everything yourself, ask the individual what the avatars should say or how they should react. It turns the session into a collaborative exercise where they are actively thinking about the social situation
• Use emotions as a discussion tool - change an avatar's emotion mid-conversation and ask the individual how they would respond differently now that the avatar looks anxious, bored, or confused
• Pause strategically - you can pause the session to discuss what just happened or plan what should happen next. On a video call this feels more natural than in VR because the individual is not wearing a headset
• The laptop display works well on screen - since the individual is already reading a screen, text on the in-situation laptop is easy for them to follow. Display a goal, talking points, or a passage for them to read aloud while the avatars watch
• Try it as preparation for VR - walk through the situation on screen together first so the individual knows what to expect, then use VR the following week for the full experience

When the VR headset is not available

If you are visiting a school, a home, or a clinic and did not bring the VR headset, you can still run a session on your laptop. The session is less immersive, but the conversation, the avatars, and the interaction are all still there.

When the individual cannot wear the VR headset

Some individuals do not want things on their head, are too young for the VR headset to fit comfortably, or have other reasons to prefer working without it. The web app means they can still participate fully in the session without needing to wear anything.

Demos, presentations, and pitches

If you are showing the software to colleagues, managers, or an audience at a conference, you can run a live session on the web app and project it onto a large screen. This lets everyone see the environment, hear the avatars, and understand what the software does - without needing a VR headset for the audience.

You can prepare a profile in advance with avatars, sentences, and emotions ready to go, so the demo runs smoothly and shows the software at its best.

Tips for Web-App-Only Sessions

• Turn up your laptop volume - avatar voices play from your computer speakers, so make sure the volume is high enough for the individual to hear clearly. External speakers can help in louder environments.
• Position the screen so the individual can see it - if you are in the same room, angle your laptop toward them or connect to a larger screen. Remember that you also need to see the screen to control the session.
• Involve the individual in what happens - because they can see the same screen you see, web-app-only sessions naturally become more collaborative. The individual can point at avatars, ask for specific emotions, or choose which sentences to use.
• Use it as a stepping stone - a few web-app-only sessions can build familiarity and confidence before introducing the VR headset. The individual already knows the environment, the avatars, and how the conversation works - VR just adds immersion.
• Prepare sentences as usual - all features work identically, including sentence groups, AI Prompts, Generate Text, sounds, and emotions. Preparation is just as valuable for web-app-only sessions as for VR sessions.

What the VR Headset Adds

Sessions on the web app are valuable, but they are not the same as sessions in VR. Research shows that VR speaking experiences match up to 99% with real-life equivalents. The VR headset creates a sense of being physically present in the room with the avatars - and that presence is what produces the same feelings, emotions, and responses that the individual would experience in a real-world situation.

On a screen, the individual is watching a scene. In VR, they are inside it. That difference matters when the goal is to practice something that feels real - like speaking in front of a classroom, ordering at a counter, or introducing yourself to a stranger. The emotional and physical responses that come from presence - the slight nervousness, the feeling of being looked at, the sense of a real space around you - do not happen to the same degree on a flat screen.

A web-app-only session is always better than no session at all. But whenever VR is an option, it will create a more realistic and impactful experience.

What Is Different

Almost everything works the same. The key differences are:

Casting and Recording

How to share the live VR view with others and how to record sessions from inside the VR headset.

Casting

Casting lets you share what the person inside VR is seeing on another screen - a phone, a computer, or a TV. This is useful when a parent, colleague, supervisor, or student wants to follow along during a session without putting on a VR headset themselves.

Why cast instead of using the web app preview?

The VR preview on the web app shows a static camera angle of the situation - useful for controlling the session, but it does not show what the person inside VR is actually seeing in real time. Casting shows their live, first-person view: where they are looking, the avatars in front of them, and the full 360-degree environment from their perspective. If you want to see exactly what the individual is experiencing, casting is the way to do it.

What you need

• The Meta Horizon mobile app installed on your phone (available on iOS and Android)
• Your phone and the VR headset must be on the same WiFi network
• Your phone must be signed into the same Meta account as the VR headset

Method 1: Start casting from your phone (recommended)

This is the easiest method because the person inside VR does not need to do anything.

To stop casting, tap the casting notification on your phone and select Stop Casting.

Method 2: Start casting from inside the VR headset

Method 3: Cast to a web browser

If you prefer to view the cast on a computer screen instead of your phone, go to oculus.com/casting in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (other browsers are not supported). Sign in with the same Meta account as the VR headset. The live view will appear in the browser window.

If casting does not work

• Confirm the phone (or computer) and VR headset are on the same WiFi network
• Confirm both devices are signed into the same Meta account
• Restart the VR headset, your phone, and try again
• Some corporate or institutional WiFi networks block casting for security reasons - try a personal mobile hotspot as an alternative

For more troubleshooting steps, see Meta's casting troubleshooting guide.

Recording Sessions

Therapy withVR does not include a built-in recording feature. However, the Meta Quest VR headset has a built-in video recording function that captures what the person inside VR sees. This works with any app, including Therapy withVR.

How to record

Including microphone audio

By default, recordings capture the sounds from inside VR (avatar voices, ambient sounds) but not the microphone. To include the voice of the person wearing the VR headset:

With this enabled, the recording will capture both the avatar voices and the person's own voice, which can be useful for reviewing sessions afterward or creating demonstration videos.

Recording settings

You can customize recording quality from the VR headset settings. Go to Quick Settings > Settings > System > Camera. The available options include:

Accessing and sharing recordings

Recorded videos are saved to the VR headset. To access them:

• On the VR headset: Open the Camera app, then select Gallery to view your recordings
• On your phone: Open the Meta Horizon app to view and download recordings from the VR headset
• On your computer: Connect the VR headset to your computer with a USB-C cable. The VR headset will appear as a storage device. Recordings are in the video folder.

From there, you can share recordings on social media, include them in presentations, or use them for training and supervision purposes.

Session Checklist

A quick reference for every session - from preparation to debrief. Print this page and keep it next to your workstation.

Before the Individual Arrives

These steps can be done hours or days in advance. The more you prepare here, the less setup time you need during the session itself.

Starting the Session

During the Session

Ending the Session

Preparing Your First Session

A practical walkthrough for new users - from setup to debrief.

Before the Session

1

Charge the VR headset overnight. Confirm the small charging light on the side is on.

2

Check your VR app status on the Welcome screen of the web app. Green = ready. Red = update needed. Blue = install needed.

3

Create a profile and select a situation. The Café or Animal situation works well for a first session - familiar, low-pressure environments.

4

Set up the situation. Choose avatars with Neutral emotion, set duration to 5 minutes or less, and prepare a few simple sentences in the Default group.

5

Consider involving the individual in setup. Asking them which avatars they want, where they should sit, and what they want the avatars to say is itself a valuable activity.

At the Start of the Session

During the Session

• Keep it simple - a few sentences and one or two avatars is enough for a first session
• Use the pause button freely to check in with the individual
• Follow the individual's lead - if the conversation goes off-script, that is fine and natural
• Watch for signs of discomfort, especially in the first few minutes

After the Session

• Rate the goal if you are using one, or skip it
• Let the individual take a moment before standing up
• Debrief - ask how they felt, what they noticed, and what they would like next time
• Note what worked and adjust Setup for the next session

Supported Languages

Two independent language settings - one for the interface, one for your avatars.

Interface Languages

Avatar Languages

Voice Types

Situations Overview

12 virtual speaking environments - each fully customizable and saved within your profile.

Quick Reference

There is no prescribed order or recommended starting point. Use situations in whatever order and combination makes the most sense for the individual you are working with.

Citing This Software

How to reference Therapy withVR in academic publications, reports, and presentations.

Citation Formats

Replace the version number with the version you used. The current version is shown in the top right corner of this documentation. If your citation style supports access dates, use the last date you accessed the software.

APA (7th edition)

MLA (9th edition)

IEEE

BibTeX

Mentioning the Software in Text

On first mention in a paper or report, use the full name: Therapy withVR (withVR, 2021). After that, Therapy withVR on its own is fine. If you need to describe it briefly:

"Therapy withVR is a customizable virtual reality tool that provides real-time control over virtual speaking situations, running on Meta Quest headsets and controlled from a standard laptop (withVR, 2021)."

Version Numbers

The software is updated frequently. Including the version number in your citation helps readers understand exactly which version of the tool was used in your study. The current version is always shown in the top right corner of this documentation page. If you are unsure which version you used, contact [email protected].

Access Dates

Some citation styles (MLA, IEEE) support an access date. If you include one, use the last date you used the software for your study - not the date you wrote the paper. Because the software is updated regularly, the access date helps readers understand when in the software's development your work took place.

Software Details for Reference

Glossary

Definitions of key terms used throughout this documentation.

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Most issues can be resolved quickly. Try these fixes before contacting support.

Quick Reference

Setup & Installation

I did not receive the Meta invitation email

Check your spam and junk folders. Make sure you emailed [email protected] with the correct Meta account email address. Contact us if you still have not received it.

The Accept link in the invitation email is hard to find

The link is embedded in the body text of the email - it is not a large button. Read the full email carefully.

Therapy withVR does not appear in my App Library

Restart your VR headset after accepting the invitation (hold the power button until the screen goes black, wait 5 seconds, then hold again to turn back on). Open the menu, go to Library (Navigator) or Apps (older UI), and make sure the filter is set to All rather than "Installed". Use the search field in the left-hand menu to type "therapy" if scrolling is slow.

My Quest looks different from the screenshots - there is no bar at the bottom

Meta rolled out a new interface called Navigator in 2026. It replaces the old bar across the bottom. Press the Meta button (right controller) or pinch your thumb and index finger together in front of you (hands) to open it. Your apps are in the Library tab. Everything in these docs works for both the old and new UIs.

I cannot get the menu to open with my hands - pinching my wrist does nothing

Meta removed the wrist-pinch shortcut in late 2025. Pinch your thumb and index finger together in front of you - not on your wrist - or pick up a controller and press the Meta button. If your hands are unresponsive, the room may be too dim: hand tracking needs decent light. Turn on a light or use the controllers.

The Open or Update button is missing from the Therapy withVR card

Known bug in recent Meta Quest updates. Restart the headset (hold power until black, wait 5 seconds, hold again to turn on). The buttons should return.

A or B buttons do not seem to select anything

They are not supposed to - the trigger (back of the controller, under your index finger) is the select button. A, B, X, Y and the grip buttons do not click in the Meta Quest menu system.

Do I need to install MetaLink, Meta Quest Link, or Oculus Link?

No. None of those are needed. Those tools are for playing PC-VR games by tethering a Quest to a gaming computer - a completely different use case. Therapy withVR runs natively on the headset, not tethered to your laptop. Your laptop runs the Web App in a browser; the two communicate over the internet. If your IT team asks what they need to install on a managed laptop, the answer is nothing - just browser access to the domains listed in Organization and IT below.

I cannot connect to WiFi during VR headset setup

If you are in a large organization, contact your IT department to allow the Meta Quest headset and Therapy withVR on the network. A personal mobile hotspot is a reliable alternative. The VR headset and laptop do not need to be on the same network.

Signing In

I forgot my password

Sign out of the web app, click Manage on the Sign In page, enter your email, and click Reset Password. Refresh the web app after resetting before signing in again.

I selected the wrong Avatar Language when signing up

Your three default avatars are assigned based on the Avatar Language you chose at sign-up. You cannot change this yourself after your account is created. Contact [email protected] and we can update your avatars manually. You can change individual avatar voices yourself at any time from the Setup screen.

I cannot sign into the VR app

Make sure you are using your Therapy withVR web app credentials - not your Meta account credentials. If unsure of your password, sign out and back into the web app first to confirm it works, then use the same credentials in VR.

Languages & Voices

My avatar sounds accented when I type in another language

Each avatar has its own voice, and every voice is trained on one specific language. A French voice pronounces French naturally but reads German text with a strong French accent - because the voice model does not know German phonology. This is not a bug; it is how text-to-speech voices work.

To fix this: change the avatar's voice to one in the target language.

Repeat for every avatar you want to switch. Each avatar is independent - you can have one French avatar and one German avatar in the same scene.

I changed the software language but the avatars still use the old language

The software interface language (Settings > Language) is separate from avatar voices. Avatar voices are set individually per avatar in the Setup screen. See the question above for steps.

Using the Translate feature vs. changing avatar voices

Two different approaches:

• Translate (AI feature): you type in your language, and the AI translates the text to the avatar's current language before it is spoken. The avatar keeps its existing voice. Useful when you do not speak the target language yourself.
• Change avatar voice: the avatar speaks directly in the new language. Useful when you do speak the target language and want to type in it directly, or when practicing with a client whose language matches one of your avatars.

Controller Issues

I cannot select anything inside VR

Position & Orientation Inside VR

Facing the wrong direction or in the wrong position

Point the controller straight ahead and press and hold the Meta button on the right controller until the view resets. For more detail, see Meta's guide to resetting your view.

VR App Issues

App stuck on loading / avatars not loading

Close and reopen the VR app. If that does not help, restart the VR headset (hold power button until black, wait a few seconds, then hold again to turn on).

Update available

Go to App Library on the VR headset, find Therapy withVR, press it, and select Update Now. After updating, open the app and wait for the instruction text to appear before returning to the web app.

Web App Issues

Buttons are cut off or not fully visible

Click the blue maximize button in the bottom right corner to expand to full screen.

VR headset not detected when starting a session

Close and reopen the VR app, sign back in, wait for the instruction text, then try the with VR button again. If still not detected, refresh the web app and navigate back to the Start popup.

Sound Issues

Cannot hear avatar speech or sounds

With VR method: Use the volume buttons on the underside of the VR headset to turn the volume up. The exact position varies by headset model, but they are always on the bottom edge. Set to maximum for sessions so anyone nearby can also hear clearly.
Without VR method: Check your computer volume and audio output settings.

Sound is still playing when I want it stopped

Click the speaker with a line through it icon in the bottom right area of the session screen.

Organization & IT

IT department is blocking the software or VR headset

This is the most common barrier in hospitals, schools, and universities. Your IT department needs to allow access to specific domains for the software to work. Copy the section below and send it directly to your IT team.

Web App (used by the professional on a laptop or desktop)

• withvr.app - Web App and platform assets
• firestore.googleapis.com - database
• firebasestorage.googleapis.com - file storage
• texttospeech.googleapis.com - avatar voice synthesis
• api.openai.com - optional AI features, only if enabled by the user

VR App (used by the person in the headset)

• firestore.googleapis.com - real-time session data
• firebasestorage.googleapis.com - avatar models and platform assets
• texttospeech.googleapis.com - avatar voice synthesis
• withvr.app - scenes, objects, and localization data

The VR App does not connect to OpenAI.

Meta Quest headset (operating system)

The Meta Quest headset also requires access to Meta platform domains for its own operating system. These are managed by Meta and are outside the control of withVR BV. Required domains: meta.com, facebook.com, fbcdn.net, akamaihd.net, oculus.com, graph.oculus.com, graph.facebook.com. Required ports: TCP 443 and 3478, UDP 50000-59999.

Enterprise Wi-Fi (eduroam) does not work with VR headsets

University and hospital Wi-Fi networks that use enterprise authentication (such as eduroam or EduRAM) are not compatible with Meta Quest headsets. The headset cannot handle the authentication step. Use a personal mobile hotspot or a guest Wi-Fi network instead. This applies only to the VR headset - the Web App works on any network.

VPN or antivirus software blocking the Web App

If the Web App will not load or features are missing, check whether a VPN or antivirus program is blocking access to the domains listed above. Try temporarily disabling the VPN, or ask IT to add exceptions for withvr.app and the Google domains.

Performance

Loading is slow or the Web App feels sluggish

• Close other applications - especially video calls. Running Zoom with video alongside the Web App can cause significant slowdowns and battery drain.
• Close unused browser tabs - the Web App needs system resources to render the VR preview.
• Try a different browser - Chrome generally performs best.
• MacBook users - if loading takes longer than 30 seconds, try refreshing the page. A personal hotspot may be faster than institutional Wi-Fi.

Low battery causes unexpected problems

When the VR headset battery is low, it can cause a chain of problems that look like software bugs: the app may restart repeatedly, hand tracking may stop working, and controllers may disconnect. If you experience any of these, charge the headset fully before troubleshooting further. If the headset is stuck in a restart loop, hold the power button for 30 seconds to force a hard reset, then charge it.

Contact

Reporting an Issue

If something is not working as expected, let us know. Your reports help us improve the software for everyone.

What to Include

The more detail you can provide, the faster we can help. When you email us, try to include the following:

You do not need to include all of this for every report. A short description of what went wrong is always a good starting point - we can ask follow-up questions if we need more detail.

How to Report

Send an email to [email protected] with as much of the above information as you can. We will respond as quickly as possible.

Legal and Privacy

Policies, agreements, and information about how your data is handled.

Published Documents

The following documents are available on the withVR website:

Available on Request

The following documents are available on request for institutional procurement or compliance purposes. Contact legal@withvr.app to receive a copy.

Data and Privacy Summary

A summary of how Therapy withVR handles data. For full details, refer to the Privacy Policy above.

Where data is stored

All data is stored on Google Cloud servers in Frankfurt, Germany (EU). This applies to account data, session data, and profile data.

What data is collected

• Account data - name and email address, used for sign-in and account management
• Session data - timing, avatar positions, emotions triggered, sentences sent, sounds played, and goal ratings. No audio or video is ever recorded. Nothing the person inside VR says is captured by the software.
• Profile data - profile names (encrypted with AES encryption in the database), labels, and goals (stored as plain text)

What is not collected

• No audio or video recordings from sessions
• No recording of what the person inside VR says or does
• No health data, diagnostic information, or protected health information (PHI)

AI features and third-party services

AI features are off by default. When enabled, some text input is sent to OpenAI for processing (Generate Text, AI Prompts, Translate, Autocorrect, Whisper). Avatar voices are synthesized using Google Text-to-Speech. No personally identifiable information about the person inside VR is sent to any AI provider as part of normal use.

Data retention

Different types of data are retained for different periods after a subscription ends:

• Account and subscription data - 5 years after subscription ends
• Session and profile data - 3 years after subscription ends
• Billing and transaction records - 7 years (Belgian accounting law)

You can request earlier deletion at any time.

Data export and deletion

• Data export - available on request within 30 days. Contact [email protected].
• Data deletion - requests handled in accordance with applicable data protection law (within one month under GDPR). Contact [email protected].

Compliance

GDPR (EU/EEA)

Therapy withVR is GDPR compliant. All data is stored within the European Economic Area. A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is available on request.

HIPAA (US)

Therapy withVR is designed so that Protected Health Information (PHI) does not enter the system. No client names, diagnoses, health records, or other identifiable health data is collected or stored. Because PHI does not enter the system, a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is not required. This is an architectural choice - the platform is built to avoid PHI entirely.

EU AI Act

Avatar voices are synthesized using Google Text-to-Speech. When AI features are enabled, some session content - such as suggested sentences, translations, and autocorrected text - is AI-generated. Under the EU AI Act (Article 50, applicable from August 2026), users must ensure the individuals they work with are informed that avatar voices and some session content may be AI-generated.

Contact

Suggest a Feature

Every situation and feature in this software started as a suggestion from someone like you.

If there is something you wish the software could do - a new situation, avatar option, control, or workflow improvement - we want to hear about it. Suggestions from the people who use Therapy withVR every day are what shape its development.

No idea is too small. Whether it is a new environment, a different age range for avatars, a shortcut that would save you time during sessions, or something you noticed while working with an individual - it all helps.

Send Your Suggestion

Fill in the form below and click Send suggestion. Your email app will open with the details pre-filled - just press Send.

Prefer Email?

Send your suggestion directly to [email protected] with "Feature suggestion" in the subject line.