Young people in south west London will now benefit from cutting-edge mental health treatment thanks to a new partnership between South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust and XR therapeutics.
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Young people in south west London will now benefit from cutting-edge mental health treatment thanks to a new partnership between South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust and XR therapeutics.
This partnership will see immersive technology used to digitally simulate real-world scenarios that link to someone’s anxieties and fears, such as someone’s journey to school or classroom activities. The scenarios will then be used by therapists alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques to allow young people to test and practice coping mechanisms. By taking this approach, clinicians can work with young people to better identify the root causes of their anxieties, supporting targeted treatment.
Offering extended reality therapies is just one example of how this Trust is delivering on the NHS 10 Year Health Plan ambition to embrace digital healthcare to provide more efficient and tailored services and support. Children and young people under the care of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth will now have access to this technology, meaning more young people will benefit from personalised digital care, targeted to their specific needs.
Dr. Annika Clark, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead, CAMHS Education Wellbeing Service, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “We are excited to be partnering with XR Therapeutics to pilot this ground breaking exposure-based therapy, specifically designed for anxiety-provoking situations. In recent years, we have seen a significant rise in school-related social anxiety among children and young people, and this innovative XR technology offers a powerful new way to help.
“By creating immersive, real-world scenarios with carefully controlled, graded exposure, we can support young people in building confidence and resilience at their own pace. The ability to adjust intensity at the touch of a button also means therapy is personalised, safe, and empowering.
“We look forward to using this innovative new technology to support children and young people in South West London to overcome anxiety and thrive, both in school and beyond.”
Penny Day, COO at XR Therapeutics, said the company was “delighted to be working with both the CAHMS team and South West London and St George’s to support children and young people experiencing anxieties and school avoidance, which can be linked with a range of mental health challenges.”
“While the causes of school avoidance are often complex and varied, a recent report by the LSE and the Nuffield Foundation (September 2024) highlights an alarming rise in school absence since the COVID-19 pandemic, with anxiety and other environmental factors playing a significant role,” she added.
“This collaboration marks an important step forward for our company as we continue our mission to make technology-enabled mental health interventions more accessible.
“By combining our digital therapeutic tools with the expertise of dedicated NHS clinicians, we aim to engage with young people in a new, innovative way—providing timely, effective support and helping to build resilience.
“Together, we are committed to ensuring that no young person feels alone in navigating their mental health or educational journey.”
