A study on developing a virtual reality application: Virtual client

This study aims to explore the development process of the virtual client application Vira and its effects on enhancing the professional competencies of psychological counselor candidates. Vira is an AI-based virtual client specifically designed to offer a structured and interactive learning environment that supports the acquisition of counseling skills. The application was developed by combining theoretical foundations in counseling with educational technologies, utilizing realistic scenarios and artificial intelligence-driven responses. The research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with 34 psychological counselor candidates assigned to experimental and control groups. While the experimental group interacted with the Vira application, the control group received no such intervention. Data were collected using the Counseling Self-Efficacy Scale, the Microcounseling Skill Discrimination Scale, and the Effective Counselor Characteristics Assessment Scale. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants to obtain in-depth qualitative insights regarding the impact of the application. Findings reveal that the Vira application significantly contributed to the development of counseling skills, enhanced self-efficacy perceptions, and supported the acquisition of effective counselor characteristics. The application also played a meaningful role in bridging theoretical knowledge with practical counseling experience, thereby increasing participants' professional confidence and reflective awareness. In conclusion, this study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the Vira application but also introduces an innovative digital tool for counselor education. It shows strong potential for strengthening the link between theory and practice in psychological counseling training programs. Keywords: Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Client, Vira