HypnoSphere: Immersive Virtual Hypnotherapy
Harness the power of Virtual Reality to experience personalized hypnotherapy sessions designed for mental wellness.
XR Designer
Digital Therapeutics
Traditional hypnotherapy sessions face challenges such as accessibility, environmental distractions, and inconsistent patient experiences. HypnoSphere is a Virtual Reality (VR) application designed to address these issues by offering immersive hypnotherapy sessions within customizable virtual environments. By integrating calming visuals, a pendulum-based focus mechanism, interactive elements, and Conversational AI with guided therapeutic principles, HypnoSphere enhances relaxation, concentration, and therapeutic outcomes for individuals dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and stress-related conditions.
Breaking Barriers in Hypnotherapy
While hypnotherapy is effective for managing stress, anxiety, and trauma, access and effectiveness remain challenges. Traditional sessions rely on focus despite distractions, while location, cost, and therapist availability limit options. AI and VR can overcome these barriers by improving accessibility, bridging language gaps, and enhancing focus through immersive, personalized experiences.
To explore the potential of VR-enhanced hypnotherapy, I conducted an analysis of existing relaxation and meditation applications to understand their strengths and limitations. Additionally, I led user research through interviews and surveys, engaging individuals with experience in hypnotherapy or interest in alternative wellness solutions. These insights shaped HypnoSphere’s design, ensuring that the application not only mimicked traditional hypnotherapy but also leveraged VR’s unique ability to enhance immersion and focus.
Transforming Limitations into an Immersive Therapeutic Experience
Early research revealed key obstacles in traditional hypnotherapy:
To address these challenges, I began with 2D sketches and photosphere perspective drawings to conceptualize immersive environments and user interactions, then transitioned to 3D modeling and scene development in Unity, refining spatial layouts, textures, and lighting for a calm and visually cohesive space. To enhance immersion, I used Skybox AI to generate high-quality 360-degree environments in the prototype. The long-term vision is to integrate a text-to-image AI model, allowing users to generate personalized therapeutic spaces based on their preferences.
I integrated Conversational AI to deliver a natural, responsive virtual hypnotherapy experience, leveraging OpenAI’s Whisper for speech-to-text, Llama 3 for real-time processing, and Speechify for text-to-speech. To ensure safe and effective interactions, the AI follows established hypnotherapy techniques, including Milton Erickson’s indirect suggestions for guiding users into trance states naturally, Dave Elman’s rapid induction methods for deeper relaxation, and cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy frameworks for evidence-based guidance.
Revolutionizing Hypnotherapy with VR
To create an effective and engaging virtual hypnotherapy tool, HypnoSphere introduces key innovations:
Testing informed refinements in UI placement, session flow, and interaction mechanics, ensuring a seamless, intuitive experience.
Spatial interface for visionOS with SwiftUI
Results & Impact
By blending real-world environments with intelligent digital design, Furnish Your Home redefines the future of interior planning, transforming how people create, customize, and experience their living spaces.
Immersive Interface for Meta Quest with Unity