Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) has been shown to be an effective technique for reducing social anxiety. People who stutter are at greater risk of developing heightened social anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy protocols have shown promise in reducing social anxiety in people who stutter, but no studies have investigated VRET targeting social anxiety associated with stuttering. The aim of the current review is to provide an overview of VRET techniques used to treat social anxiety and insights into how these techniques might be adopted in the case of comorbid stuttering and social
anxiety. Twelve studies were reviewed to understand key distinctions in VRET protocols used to treat social anxiety. Distinctions include exercises targeting public speaking vs. general social anxiety, computer-generated virtual environments vs. 360⁰ video, and therapist guided vs. automated
VRET. Based on the review findings, we propose how certain features could be applied in the case of stuttering. Virtual therapists, inhibitory learning techniques and integration into speech therapy may be suitable ways to tailor VRET. Regardless of these different techniques, VRET should consider the
situations and cognitive-behavioral processes that underlie the experience of social anxiety amongst people who stutter.