Skip is a clinical psychologist and pioneering researcher in virtual reality (VR) for mental health and rehabilitation. He is a research professor at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, where he has led the development of immersive simulations for therapy, training, and cognitive assessment.
His work focuses on using VR to treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, autism, and anxiety disorders. One of his most recognized contributions is Virtual Iraq/Afghanistan, a VR exposure therapy system used to help veterans process combat trauma.
Rizzo’s career is defined by merging psychology, neuroscience, and immersive technology to create clinically validated tools that improve mental health outcomes. He is widely regarded as one of the key figures who established VR as a legitimate therapeutic medium.
From the conversation
Research and resources
• “AI Chatbots Inconsistent in Answering Questions About Suicide” — RAND — https://www.rand.org/news/press/2025/08/ai-chatbots-inconsistent-in-answering-questions-about.html
• Autism Speaks: 100 Day Kit — https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/100-day-kit-school-age-children
• BRAVEMIND — https://ict.usc.edu/research/projects/bravemind-virtual-reality-exposure-therapy
• SimCoach — https://medvr.ict.usc.edu/projects/sim-coach.html
Tools and experiences
• Magic Horizons — https://magic-horizons.com/en
• PsyTechVR — https://psytechvr.com/vr-veterans-ptsd-trauma
• TRIPP — https://tripp.com
• Unity — https://unity.com
• Unreal Engine — https://unrealengine.com
Books and films
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209887/ready-player-one-by-ernest-cline
• Ready Player One — film by Steven Spielberg — https://amblin.com/movie/ready-player-one
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https://ict.usc.edu/about-us/leadership/research-leadership/albert-skip-rizzo
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