Yanshan Dai, Han Han, Yongze Xu
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, various scientific research fields are exploring the application of potential of new technologies. Counseling psychology, closely intertwined with natural language processing, is one of the most suitable domains for such exploration. This study focuses on investigating the effectiveness of large language models (LLMs) in assisting novice counselors with case-formulation processes. Based on supervisors' ratings of novice counselors' performance before and after using LLMs, the results indicate that AI assistance significantly enhances the comprehensiveness and coherence of case formulation, while its effects on complexity and specificity are not statistically significant. Additionally, through novice counselors' subjective evaluations of the AI-assisted process, the value of AI tools in broadening perspectives and facilitating convenient operations is identified. Overall, the findings suggest that AI can moderately assist novice counselors in understanding clients. However, to better integrate AI with professional practice and improve case formulation competence, it is essential for novice counselors to maintain critical thinking and strengthen their learning of counseling theories and techniques during AI application.