On the 25th of last month, a research team composed of domestic researchers from 'Korea University' and overseas researchers from 'the University of Hawaii' published innovative research results that highlight the potential benefits of meta-verse counseling. The study focused on the therapeutic relationship between psychotherapists and clients in virtual spaces and discussed the potential of meta-verse counseling. This novel approach to counseling is receiving particular attention.

This research, published in ‘The Counseling Psychologist (TCP),’ a leading international academic journal in the field of counseling psychology, explored the relationship between therapeutic presence in meta-verse spaces and the therapeutic alliance (therapeutic relationship) between avatar counselors and avatar clients. The results indicated that meta-verse counseling can greatly improve the therapeutic relationship. 

This paper has been published in a leading academic journal in the field of counseling psychology, SSCI. (https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/4FQEY9TJID6KVV7XWN4Q/full)

[Image Source: Sage Journals]

Twenty-five clients and seven counselors participated in the study, and more than 100 counseling sessions were systematically analyzed using a multi-level analysis. The research results revealed that the therapeutic presence of clients in meta-verse environments affected the strength of the therapeutic alliance between clients and therapists. This highlights the potential of meta-verse environments to greatly enhance the connection and rapport between counselors and clients during counseling sessions. As the counseling sessions progressed, the therapeutic relationship between avatar counselors and clients was strengthened, with the therapeutic presence at the beginning of the counseling sessions having a greater impact on the therapeutic alliance.

Professor Sang-min Lee, the corresponding author of the study, stated the following about the implications of the research "Our research results emphasize not only the potential of meta-verse counseling as a powerful medium for psychological services but also the importance of therapeutic presence in virtual reality spaces. This can be seen as opening up the possibility of making mental health support more accessible and attractive to individuals who are difficult to reach through traditional face-to-face therapy."

The "MetaForest" used in this study is a meta-verse counseling program designed to protect identity. It has been developed to allow for comfortable anonymous counseling by using avatars equipped with AI facial recognition technology and a free virtual space. They are planning to add various functions such as AI initial counseling and a verbatim for counselors.

[Image Source: Yataventer]

Yataventer, the developer of ‘MetaForest’, has recently filed patents for meta-verse psychotherapy systems using conversational artificial intelligence algorithms and meta-verse psychotherapy systems linked to Chat GPT, focusing on developing technologies to enhance the effectiveness and anonymity of counseling. They are also making great strides in global business, establishing a Domestic Corporation in LA and signing an MOU with EVERC, an affiliate of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.