Virtual Reality use in Counselor and Human Services: An Exploration

Virtual Reality continues to expand in application in counseling and human services fields for both instruction of practitioners and direct intervention. Wey et al (2022) confirm that the advantage of VR interventions is the incorporation of perspective-taking to stimulate empathy. This is a central component of a field requiring this unique personal and professional stance. Research continues to emerge on the treatment of psychological and mental health challenge through VR as well. This presentation seeks to review international research literature outcomes on VR's utility for helping professions. With the increased demand for counseling support, it is surmised that new technologies will be needed to aptly train individuals. Gao et al (2022) noted that research is still needed in virtual therapy courses' terms of cognitive, emotive and behavioral responses. Professionals in the field will need to be appraised of interdisciplinary VR applications. Future directions in the field will be discussed to help educators consider their own tapping into VR technology in their prospective disciplines.