Wouldn't simulated environment cause similar anxiety effects? Like I'm very scared of snakes IRL, I'm confident i won't enjoy looking at them in VR either
The idea is to do this in session with a therapist, or at least under guidance. By exposing yourself safely to a trigger reducing the effects (like a fight or flight response for example)
I think the purpose is to overcome that anxiety which requires you to be to be exposed. Maybe looking at vr snakes could help you :)