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Do Artificial Intelligence Clients Speak Like Human Clients? Exploring GPT‐4's Content‐Level Performance in Counseling Role‐Play

Bibliographic Data

ID12098667
AuthorsXihe Tian (0009-0003-1567-3718, Department of Counseling and Human Services, School of Education Syracuse University Syracuse New York USA, corresponding author), Yanhong Liu (0000-0002-1251-1700, Department of Counseling and Human Services, School of Education Syracuse University Syracuse New York USA), K Zhang (0000-0002-9985-2347), Keni Li Zhang (0009-0004-1731-2665, Department of Counseling and Human Services, School of Education Syracuse University Syracuse New York USA), Sarah Litt (0009-0003-7378-3181, Department of Counseling and Human Services, School of Education Syracuse University Syracuse New York USA), Kahyen Shin (0000-0002-4381-0404, Department of Counseling and Human Services, School of Education Syracuse University Syracuse New York USA), Tanqiu Jiang (0000-0003-4838-5539, Department of Computer Science Stony Brook University Stony Brook New York USA)
Year2025
Volume104
Issue1
Pages14-26
Publication date2025-11-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Counseling & Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0748-9633 • E-ISSN: 1556-6676
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jcad.70016
OpenAlexW4415914494
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

Traditional role‐playing methods in counselor education, such as peer counseling and actor‐based simulations, enhance trainee competencies but have also created ethical dilemmas. These methods are not cost effective and may not capture and address client diversity. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), new opportunities have emerged for enhancing training through AI‐driven simulations. This study explores the use of GPT‐4, a large language model (LLM) with voice capabilities, for client simulation in counseling role‐play practices. We created 12 fictional client scenarios and engaged in simulation sessions with the fictional clients via GPT‐4, then assessed its content‐level performance using qualitative content analysis. Findings indicated that GPT‐4 showed high‐level performance in generating client narratives that include realistic descriptions of presenting concerns, emotional experiences, and culturally relevant descriptions. These results suggest that GPT‐4 may offer a cost‐effective, accessible, and useful training tool for counselors to independently practice and enhance skills

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Citations per year1
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Highly citedNo

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