CMC offers VR for mental health patients

August 19, 2025

From left are Creative Acts staff Sabra, Star, and Major, CMC Restricted Housing Unit Mental Health Supervisor N. Gomez, Recreation Therapists W. Atnip and A. Ho with Creative Acts staff member Richard.

The California Men’s Colony (CMC) Mental Health Department welcomed Creative Acts to offer virtual reality (VR) intervention to incarcerated patients.

Housed in the restricted housing unit (RHU), participants were immersed in a structured therapeutic curriculum utilizing VR technology to heal trauma, regulate emotional response, and prepare for a safe, successful reentry into society.

Creative Acts, a nonprofit, introduces realistic scenarios simulating real-world situations such as:

interviewing for a job
shopping at a grocery market
sitting down with family for dinner
and encountering a negative conflict.

VR therapy allows patients to confront their fears, practice coping mechanisms, and build confidence in a controlled setting. Patients also engaged in guided imagery and journaling as well as arts and crafts.

CMC’s recreational therapists A. Ho and W. Atnip said they were excited to offer this valuable tool to increase patient engagement and motivation.

Mental health benefits seen with VR

What is it? VR provides the unique blend of exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques to the RHU patients.

“Our patients struggle with severe mental illness including major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety and bipolar disorder,” said mental health officials. “We noticed our patients let their guards down, became vulnerable and shared personal information. Participants were talkative, lively, engaged, expressed hope, comfort, and built confidence.”

Patients who completed Creative Act’s Virtual Reality Reentry program expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the program.

“CMC’s Mental Health Department wants to thank Creative Acts for bringing this program into our institution,” said mental health leadership. “And thanks to Warden D. Samuel, Chief Deputy Warden N. Gaughan, Chief of Mental Health Dr. M. Comperini and Chief Psychologist Dr. A. Grey. Thank you for creating a positive supportive work environment and helping us provide innovated treatment modalities to our patients.”

Story submitted by Nicholle Gomez, Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker
Mental Health Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) Program
California Men’s Colony, San Luis Obispo