Doxy.me VR: Virtual reality for better online mental health care
Official title: Doxy.me VR: A scalable virtual reality app to facilitate evidence-based immersive telemental health
Funded at Doxy.me, LLC · NIH-11184735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating an easy-to-use virtual reality platform to make online mental health therapy more engaging and effective for adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Doxy.me, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 2, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $744,020 |
| NIH project number | 2R44MH129065-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who are seeking mental health care and are open to using virtual reality technology for their therapy sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have access to VR equipment or prefer traditional in-person therapy may not directly benefit from this specific virtual reality platform.
What this research studies
Many people find online mental health care convenient, but current video or text formats can sometimes make it hard for therapists and clients to connect deeply. This can affect how well therapy works. Our goal is to bring virtual reality (VR) into online therapy to create a more immersive and interactive experience. We believe VR can help you feel more present with your therapist and engage more fully in your treatment, leading to better outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could make high-quality, immersive mental health care more accessible and effective for a wider range of people, especially those who prefer or need telehealth.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown that incorporating virtual reality into mental health care can reliably improve client engagement and the sense of being present.
Where this research is happening
-
Doxy.me, LLC
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ong, Triton — Doxy.me, LLC
- Study coordinator: Ong, Triton
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.