How to Use InnerWorld

InnerWorld is a mental health peer-support platform offering a live virtual community where you can connect with others, learn practical tools, and develop coping strategies for challenges like anxiety, depression, and stress. It is designed as a complementary resource — not a replacement for professional therapy or clinical care.

InnerWorld is available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) and as a VR app on Meta Quest.

Step 1 — Getting the App

Choose how you'd like to access InnerWorld:

🥽 VR Headset Open the InnerWorld app from your VR headset's app library and launch it.

📱 Mobile App Download the InnerWorld app from the App Store or Google Play. 
You can also access it quickly through the MyXRHealth app:

Step 2 — Signing In

*This step applies to the mobile app only. VR headset users do not need to go through this process.

1. On the login screen, enter your email address or phone number. If you don't have an account yet, one will be created automatically.

2. A verification link will be sent to you via SMS or email. Click the link, wait for the confirmation page to show a successful login (green checkmark), then return to the app — you'll be signed in automatically.

   Important: Do not fully close the app while switching between the app and your email or SMS. Closing it will restart the login process.

Step 3 — Setting Up Your Profile

After signing in, the app will guide you through onboarding:

1. Create your avatar — Choose how your avatar looks (optional).
2. Choose a display name — Pick an anonymous username. Do not include your real name or any identifying information.
3. Introductory tutorial — Get a quick walkthrough of the platform's core features.

At the end of onboarding, you'll arrive at your Home — your private starting space in InnerWorld.

💡 Tip: You can update your avatar and profile at any time by selecting the blue circle next to your name in the upper left corner of the screen.

What You Can Do in InnerWorld

Your Private Home

This is your personal, private space. Here you can watch recorded sessions, explore the platform at your own pace, customize your avatar, and sign up for upcoming events using the in-world Bulletin Board.

Events

Step outside your home and join live events with other members. InnerWorld events are peer-support gatherings where members share experiences, work through challenges together, and learn practical tools. All events are facilitated by trained guides.

Understanding the Interface

The InnerWorld interface looks the same on both VR and mobile, so you'll always know where to find things:

1. Main Menu — The large purple-to-blue orb with three horizontal white lines. Tap it to access Events, Chat, your Profile, Settings, Help, and more.
2. Quick Action Toolbar — Located at the bottom of the screen. Provides quick access to meeting tools including Raise Hand, Emotes, drawing tools, text, journal, and CBT tools.
3. Push to Talk — Located in the lower right corner on mobile. Press and hold to speak; release to stop transmitting.
4. Your Avatar Name— Displayed in the upper left. Select it to edit your avatar.
5. Virtual Joystick — Located in the lower left on mobile. Use it to move through the 3D environment.

1. Main Menu — Find Events, Chat and other tools here.
2. Quick Action Icons — Access Emotes (animated gestures your avatar can perform), Raise Hand and Tools.
3. Push to Talk — Press and hold to speak. Release to stop.
4. Your Avatar Name — Click the blue circle to edit your avatar.
5. Virtual Joystick — Located in the lower left on mobile. Use it to move through the 3D environment.

Navigation Controls

Mobile (iOS/Android)

Drag your finger across the right side of the screen to look around. Use the virtual joystick on the lower left to move forward, backward, left, and right.

VR (Meta Quest)

Experiencing motion sickness in VR? Go to Settings > More Settings > Gameplay and select the Teleport option. You'll move by teleportation instead of continuous motion — push the right stick forward to see an arc showing where you'll land, then release to move there.

The Quick Action Toolbar — Tools and Features

Tap the "+" button on the Quick Action Toolbar to access additional tools:

1. Draw — Draw freely in the 3D environment.
2. Text — Place text in the environment. You can adjust size, color, and position.
3. Journal — Save snapshots of drawings and tools. Tap "Add Entry" to create a new entry. If an entry doesn't appear in the library after saving, close and reopen the app.
4. Tools — Spawn CBT, DBT, and Smart Recovery tools for use during events or for independent practice.
5. Games — Fun props and items. Some may enable additional movement features depending on your device and permissions.

Joining an Event

1. Tap "Events" in the Main Menu, or select an event directly from the Events Board in your home.
   
2. Read the event description — it includes the date, time, and what to expect.
3. Tap "Sign Up" to reserve your spot and receive a reminder notification before the event starts (available on mobile).
4. Up to 15 minutes before the event, the "Join" button will become active. Tap it to enter.

Note: You do not have to speak during events — listening only is always welcome. You can also leave and rejoin an event at any point.

Interacting with Others

There are many ways to express yourself and connect in InnerWorld:

1. Drawing and Text- Tap the plus icon to access drawing tools and text you can place in the world.
2. Emotes- Tap the smiley face icon to send emotes into the space.
3. Raise Hand- Use the hand icon to raise your hand and join the queue to speak during an event.
4. Interacting with objects- Press on any object to interact with it — this opens the object menu. 
   * On VR- use the grip button.
5. In the object menu: hand icon to move it, magnifying glass for options, "X" to close.
6. Interacting with other users- Press on another avatar to view their profile — you can also send a gift or report them from there.
   
   

Roles in the Community

InnerWorld has several types of people you'll encounter — some are fellow members, and others are part of the support and moderation team.

Guide (also called Coach or Facilitator) Guides lead peer-support events. They facilitate discussions, introduce tools, and help keep the space safe and on-topic. If you have a question during an event, your Guide is your first point of contact.

Guardian Guardians are Guides with elevated moderation permissions. They are often the first to greet new visitors, help with navigation questions, and orient newcomers to the platform. If you're brand new to InnerWorld, a Guardian will likely be the first person to welcome you.

Admin Admins are XRHealth employees responsible for running and supporting the app. They handle broader operational and technical matters.

Community Guidelines

InnerWorld is built around a shared commitment to safety and respect. A few key principles:

• Follow the "do no harm" principle in all interactions.
• Be respectful and non-judgmental toward all members.
• Maintain confidentiality — what happens in InnerWorld stays in InnerWorld.
• Do not share your real name, address, or other identifying information, and do not ask others to do so.
• Do not give advice, including medical advice. You may share personal experiences and ideas.
• Avoid discussions of politics and religion.
• Use InnerWorld intentionally and balance your time with meaningful offline activities.

InnerWorld is not a crisis service. If you are in crisis, please use appropriate crisis resources. You can leave any session at any time, take a break, or return to your Offline Home if you feel overwhelmed.

To report harmful or inappropriate behavior, tap the user's avatar, select "Report," and follow the prompts.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can't log in — I don't have a password. InnerWorld does not use passwords. On the login screen, enter your email address or phone number to receive a verification link. Do not enter a username or password.

My display name includes my real name or personal information. Submit a request through helpdesk.inner.world and the team will update it for you.

I'm an XRHealth patient and I seem to have a different account on mobile. This happens when you log in with a different email than the one on your XRHealth patient record. Log out and sign back in using the same email address associated with your XRHealth account.

My device is stuck loading events and won't progress. Wait up to two minutes — loading can sometimes take a moment. If it doesn't progress, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data. If the issue persists, try using a VPN. If none of these work, contact support.

My journal entry isn't showing up in the library. This is a known issue. Close and reopen the app — your entry should appear.

The push-to-talk button on Quest stopped working. Press the push-to-talk button again to reset it. If the issue continues, leave and rejoin the space.

The Quest app crashed unexpectedly. This is an intermittent known issue and is not caused by anything you did. Relaunch InnerWorld. If it crashes again, restart the headset and rejoin — you will not be locked out.

My audio or microphone isn't working. Check that the app has the correct microphone permissions on your device. If you're using Bluetooth headphones on mobile, check device permissions, then leave and rejoin the space. Most audio issues resolve with a rejoin.