WHAT: Press Briefing on Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy For Fear Of Flying

WHO: Samantha Smith, Ph.D., Walter Reed Army Hospital Barbara O. Rothbaum, Ph.D., Emory University School of Medicine Ken Graap, CEO, Virtually Better, Inc.

WHEN: Friday, August 4, 2000, 9:30 -- 10:30 AM

WHERE: Renaissance Washington Hotel, 999 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC, Meeting Rooms 8 and 9

Almost a third of the population has a fear of flying. Many of them will avoid flying even if it means not taking a job that requires travel or visiting a country that is too far away. A therapy using a new tool called Virtual Reality Exposure (VRE) will be demonstrated to show how effective VRE is in helping the white knucklers overcome their fear and anxiety when flying.

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 159,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 53 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 59 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.

Contact: Pam Willenz, Public Affairs Office
202-336-5700 (until 8/2)
202-962-4285 (between 8/3 -- 8/8)