Israeli VR and AI Platform Offers Anonymous Group Therapy for PTSD Patients

On October 7, a Kassam rocket struck a home in Sderot, narrowly missing a woman identified only as "T." While she was physically unharmed, she has since suffered from PTSD symptoms including anxiety attacks, freezing episodes, and difficulty leaving her home. "T," 34, describes how outwardly she appeared strong but felt isolated until she joined a new virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) based therapy project that allowed her to anonymously process her trauma with others facing similar struggles.

The Israeli startup Neao, in partnership with the Sderot municipality, Sheba Medical Center, and National Insurance funds, developed this platform as part of a broader initiative led by the nonprofit Clear Sky to integrate advanced technology into mental health care. Participants join weekly virtual group sessions as avatars, preserving anonymity while interacting under professional guidance. The virtual environments vary from forests to space stations, creating immersive experiences that help participants engage and support each other despite the lack of physical presence.

Clear Sky CEO Yael Abarman explains the program’s particular benefit for women reservists managing childcare alone, who find it difficult to attend in-person therapy. The initiative also includes AI tools like PRISM, an FDA-approved neurofeedback system that helps PTSD patients regulate brain activity without medication, and Behavideance, which monitors mobile phone data to detect depression and anxiety, referring patients to professionals when needed.

While some experts, such as Prof. Yair Bar-Haim of Tel Aviv University, express caution about privacy and the human element in AI-assisted mental health care, Abarman emphasizes that technology supplements rather than replaces human therapists. The goal is to reduce long wait times and improve treatment accessibility amid growing mental health demands exacerbated by ongoing conflict.

"T" reports that a month after completing the VR sessions, she has learned to accept difficult days and allow herself breaks without guilt, highlighting the platform’s positive impact on her recovery. Clear Sky continues to expand these tech-driven mental health solutions across Israel, aiming to transform care delivery over the next decade.