Artificial Intelligence Assisted Couples Counseling Skills Practice

This study explored graduate counseling student experiences participating in an artificial intelligence (AI) couples counseling role play across two online couples counseling courses. The sample included 48 enrolled students in an online clinical mental health counseling program. The students responded to two optional questions about the experience using an AI-based role-play to practice couples counseling stills. Student responses to a Likert scale question about their overall experiences mostly endorsed “Very Good” to “Good.” Six themes emerged from an open-ended question to share more about the AI role-play experience: 1) Skill Development and Learning Value, 2) Enjoyment and Engagement, 3) Feedback Quality and Utility, 4) Realism and Authenticity, 5) Systemic Impact Concerns, and 6) Platform Usability and Accessibility. Implications for counselor, couple, and family therapy instruction are offered.