Student therapists' experiences of learning using a machine client: A proof‐of‐concept exploration of an emotionally responsive interactive client (ERIC).

Background: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in many areas of healthcare, including mental healthcare. The automated nature of such technologies has the potential to be developed to work with large numbers of people. This paper examines the way that student therapists experience...

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Published in:Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 524 - 532
Main Authors: Prescott, Julie, Ogilvie, Lisa, Hanley, Terry
Format: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Jun2024
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2024
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        10.1002/capr.12685
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        atl: Student therapists' experiences of learning using a machine client: A proof‐of‐concept exploration of an emotionally responsive interactive client (ERIC).
      aug:
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          Prescott, Julie
          Ogilvie, Lisa
          Hanley, Terry
        affil: University of Law, Manchester, UK
      sug:
        subj:
          Psychotherapy
          Student Attitudes
          Machine Learning
          User-Computer Interface
          Emotions
          Descriptive Statistics
          Feedback
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adolescence
          Young Adult
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Data Analysis Software
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in many areas of healthcare, including mental healthcare. The automated nature of such technologies has the potential to be developed to work with large numbers of people. This paper examines the way that student therapists experience using an interactive text‐based machine client as a training tool. Methodology: Chatbot technology has been used to develop an emotionally responsive interactive client (ERIC). This introduces individuals to concepts of person‐centred therapy (empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard) by using a series of pre‐programmed scenarios. Twenty‐eight student therapists evaluated ERIC's potential as a learning tool. Individuals were recruited from one university from a postgraduate and an undergraduate counselling programme. Findings: Feedback was generally positive, with all reporting that they enjoyed engaging with ERIC as a learning method. ERIC helped individuals consider their understanding of counselling skills in a non‐judgemental environment. Participants felt the scenarios were realistic and engaging, with many reporting that they felt they were engaging with a real client/person due to ERIC's ability to express emotions. Discussion: ERIC is at the proof‐of‐concept phase. From the feedback presented here, it is evident that it can be a useful learning tool. Further development of ERIC with feedback from a larger sample is, however, required. ERIC is currently a text‐based client, and further development would like to see the intervention be voice‐activated to enhance the experience. ERIC can be further enhanced and adapted to be a useful learning platform for student therapists, as well as for students in other (healthcare‐related) disciplines, whereby a client or patient is required.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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