Students’ Perception of Using ChatGPT in Counseling and Mental Health Education: The Benefits and Challenges

Abstract

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot that has expanded in popularity among users in several fields. It could transform education and support achieving sustainable development goals. Providing counseling and mental health services is a vital national goal for maintaining sustainable goals. As evidence of innovative technology’s ability to support sustainability in the digital era, no study has been found to investigate ChatGPT in counseling and mental health education based on students’ perceptions and experiences. Consequently, this study aimed to explore undergraduates’ perceptions in terms of the benefits and challenges of using ChatGPT in counseling and mental health education. The study adopted a descriptive quantitative approach using a purposive sample comprising 210 respondents who enrolled in the counseling and mental health program at the University of Jordan and experienced ChatGPT in their learning. The results reported that 81.9 percent of respondents perceived ChatGPT as a beneficial learning tool for counseling and mental health (M = 4.10); they perceived their ability to support most of the primary counseling skills and therapeutic conditions as the counseling dispositions and behaviors expected for reflection on meaning skills, empathic care, setting boundaries with colleagues, openness to feedback, congruence and genuineness, ability to record-keeping and task completion, and non-verbal skills. Furthermore, the findings reported that students experienced moderate challenges and concerns while utilizing ChatGPT (M = 3.21). The study’s findings suggest educators in counseling and mental health employ ChatGPT in the teaching and learning process. In addition, it proposes that decision-makers at the University of Jordan consider student concerns about ChatGPT.