When Kryn McClain, DHA, LPC, MSEd. started CatapalloVR, it wasn't about chasing the latest tech trend. It was about giving people a space to learn, grow, and build confidence. With a background in therapy and an instinct for creative problem-solving, Dr. McClain saw an opportunity that others had overlooked: the need for safe, low-risk environments where people could practice essential skills without real-world consequences.
CatapalloVR is a virtual reality (VR) company that develops therapy modules tailored for neurodiverse individuals, equipping therapists with innovative tools to enhance their work. Over time, Dr. McClain also recognized VR’s broader potential to reimagine business training—transforming traditionally unengaging programs into immersive, highly effective learning experiences. Whether it's knife safety or cybersecurity, CatapalloVR designs hands-on, real-world simulations for people who want something more than a static PowerPoint presentation.
Below is Dr. McClain’s story: the vision, the science, and the remarkable impact of CatapalloVR.
What inspired you to take your background in therapy and turn it into a VR business?
Dr. McClain: We wanted a safe [and accessible] way for people to practice a variety of skills and explore different environments, which just isn't possible without the use of technology. Initially, our focus was on providing neurodiverse individuals a place to practice life skills, like knife safety, without the real-world risks that could occur. VR made sense as a learning modality—and from there, the possibilities just kept expanding.
What led you to expand CatapalloVR’s focus from therapy into corporate training?
Dr. McClain: I'm a member of a business group and about six months ago while I was presenting, they sort of lit up and said, "We could use this!" From there, we've worked with various businesses to create custom modules or wellness packages — sometimes both!
For example, one of the partners that approached us then, works with a manufacturing company with active government contracts. They had an existing cyber training program that they wanted to improve. We transformed their content into a narrative-based cybersecurity escape room where the trainee plays the hacker. Each room has objectives and challenges. It’s interactive. It’s memorable. And people actually want to finish the training.
What does VR actually do better than traditional learning?
Dr. McClain: It’s not just safer—it’s stickier. You learn four times faster in VR and retain 75% more of what you've learned. Because you're combining all your senses—seeing, hearing, and doing—there are no distractions. You’re in it. Fully immersed.
Can you share any examples?
Dr. McClain: Absolutely. At Penn State Health, we built a fall prevention module. After implementing our VR fall prevention module, Penn State Health went from inconsistent goal achievement to meeting and exceeding their fall reduction targets for three consecutive months—the first time that’s happened in over two years, based on available data.
Have there been any moments when you were surprised by the impact of VR?
Dr. McClain: Yes. One of the big goals in therapy is generalization—taking one skill and applying it to different situations. We had someone learn to make mac and cheese in VR, and later they were making ramen noodles. Even though we didn't specifically teach that, they were able to generalize it to other areas. That’s real-world transfer. That's a really neat thing, that we're seeing. We don't need to create 1,000 modules. We can create modules based on skills and general ability so that they can take that and extrapolate that to other areas.
What do you want other businesses or brands to know about CatapalloVR?
Dr. McClain: That we make it easy. We offer step-by-step guides for implementation, we customize training to meet your needs, and we get you an ROI fast. Whether you're in behavioral healthcare or an industrial field that requires precise training, we can build you something that’s effective and cost-efficient.
Great partnerships are built on...
Dr. McClain: Trust. And trust is built on timing and consistency.
CatapalloVR isn’t just pushing boundaries. It’s redefining them. From hospitals to manufacturing floors, from neurodivergent learners to corporate teams, they’re proving that with the right tools, people can accomplish incredible things. You just need the right story—and the right training environment—to make it stick.
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