Teaching Through Immersive Experience: Mixed-Reality Simulation for Couple Therapy Training.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Educational Technology
• Family Therapy Training

Background:

• Traditional therapist training often lacks sufficient experiential learning opportunities for complex relational dynamics.
• Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) requires specialized skills that are challenging to teach through didactic methods alone.
• Integrating innovative technologies is crucial for advancing clinical skills in marriage and family therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the effectiveness of mixed-reality simulation as a pedagogical tool for teaching Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT).
• To describe the implementation and delivery of a master's-level course utilizing mixed-reality simulation for therapist training.
• To identify the strengths, challenges, and future recommendations for using mixed-reality simulation in clinical training.

Main Methods:

• A master's-level course incorporating mixed-reality simulation was designed and implemented.
• The course focused on enhancing clinical skills for couple/marriage and family therapy students.
• Student experiences and learning outcomes related to EFT were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Mixed-reality simulation provided a platform for experiential learning in EFT.
• The technology facilitated the development of specific clinical skills relevant to couple therapy.
• Implementation challenges and benefits were identified, offering practical insights.

Conclusions:

• Mixed-reality simulation shows significant potential as an effective teaching tool for Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy.
• This technology can enhance experiential learning and skill development in therapist training programs.
• Further research and integration of mixed-reality simulation are recommended for clinical education.