The International Institute has an integrated Platform composed of two specific Platforms: (1) a Platform for Robotics/Robotherapy and Virtual Reality Therapy (the PsyTech-MATRIX Platform) and (2) a Platform for Advanced Imagining -fMRI/EEG- in Clinical Cognitive Sciences. Each Platform includes one or several Centers, and each Center is devided into one or several Laboratories. A Platform is a physical and virtual place, where various actors - researchers/academics, users, policy-makers, funding institutions - meet to generate advanced knowledge and innovative services. The integration of these two specific Platforms allows us to conduct new frontier research in the field of clinical cognitive sciences/psychopathology and psychotherapy, covering all the major level of analysis: (1) computational; (2) algorithmic-representational; and (3) implementational (i.e., neurobiological).

(1) PLATFORM FOR ROBOTICS/ROBOTHERAPY AND VIRTUAL REALITY THERAPY (the PsyTech-MATRIX Platform)

Our Robotics/Robotherapy and Virtual Reality Therapy Platform (the PsyTech-MATRIX Platform; see for details at: http://www.psytech.ro) is the first one in Romania and one of the most advanced in the world. It consists of a Center for Robotics/Robotherapy and Virtual Reality Therapy with five Laboratories: (1) Stress Control Lab.; (2) Virtual Classroom Lab.; (3) Pain Control Lab; (4) Star Trek-Holodeck Lab.; (a cave system; Eon I-Cube); and (5) DATA Lab. (focused on robotherapy - using robots in psychotherapy). Each Laboratory is equiped with "state of the art" technology (e.g., VR cave systems like Eon I-Cube) and human resourses (i.e., rigorously trained professionals).

Virtual reality therapy (VRT) is a technological development in psychotherapy that uses virtual reality for: (1) (neuro) psychological assessment; (2) treatment of mental disorders or other clinical conditions, which have in their etiopathogenesis psychological factors (including rehabilitation programs); and (3) for health promotion.

Virtual reality integrates real time computer processing, body tracking, interface devices, and sensory displays to immerse a participant in a computer generated simulated environment.

In collaboration with professional Companies like “Virtually Better”, USA (Ken Graap), "Imprintit", USA (Dr. Howard Rose) etc., and academic settings such as the “Institute for Creative Technology”, USA (Dr. Albert Rizzo), we have set up an advanced “Robotics/Robotherapy and Virtual Reality Therapy Research and Clinical Program” here at the Institute.

At present (2007), we are focusing on using virtual reality therapy - in research and/or clinical settings - for the assessment and treatment of various anxiety disorders (e.g., specific and social phobias, PTSD), substance abuse and dependence disorders, ADHD, pain, psychotic and delusional disorders, eating disorders etc., in both children and adults. Robotherapy is used to study children with difficult problems (e.g., ADHD, autism) and elders in long-term care facilities. Please see below some of the virtual systems (e.g., Virtual Classroom) we currently use in our work.

The Platform is headed by Dr. Daniel DAVID. For more info. about our current research and clinical activities and/or about professional collaborations please contact David OPRIS, MA, at:

(2) PLATFORM FOR ADVANCED IMAGING - fMRI/EEG - IN CLINICAL COGNITIVE SCIENCES (fully operational in summer 2009)

Our Advanced Imaging - fMRI/EEG - in Clinical Cognitive Science Platform is composed of a Center for Advanced Imagining - fMRI/EEG - in Clinical Cognitive Sciences, which has two Laboratories: (1) Advanced fMRI Lab. (3T); and (2) Advanced EEG Lab. Our research aims to complement research at computational and algorithimic-representational levels, with new insights about how psychotherapy works at the implementational level (i.e., neurobiological). Also, etiopathogenetic mechanisms involved in pathology and sanogenetic mechanisms involved in health states are analized at implementational level.