INTEGRATION OF VR TECHNOLOGIES INTO THE SYSTEM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION: INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL AND SCALING PROSPECTS IN UKRAINE

The article analyzes the potential of implementing virtual reality (VR) technologies into the system of psychological rehabilitation in Ukraine, with a focus on the need to train specialists capable of applying these innovative tools in professional practice. In the context of war and post-war recovery, there is a growing demand for accessible, effective, and scalable psychological support. Given the limited human resources and the increasing number of individuals with psychological trauma, VR technologies are viewed as a promising complement to traditional forms of psychotherapy. The article reviews scientific studies confirming the effectiveness of VR interventions in addressing PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression, as well as in improving social adaptation. It presents examples of VR applications in the USA, Israel, Poland, and Ukraine, with particular attention to cases adapted for Ukrainian military personnel, internally displaced persons, and youth. A central element of the study is the substantiation of the need to develop a methodology for training VR-competent professionals in psychology. The concept of integrating VR modules into educational programs is proposed, using the example of a master's program in rehabilitation psychology. The structure of practical training is detailed, including VR session modeling, analysis of therapeutic responses, and development of skills for client support in virtual environments. Emphasis is placed on the importance of supervision, ethical standards, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The publication identifies key barriers to the implementation of VR in psychorehabilitation practice: insufficient technical resources, lack of trained professionals, non-adapted content, and shortage of methodological materials. In this context, the need to develop a comprehensive training system, expand VR infrastructure, and ensure state support for innovative approaches in the field of mental health is emphasized.