dana.cristoltan@ubbcluj.ro
Dana-Andreea Cristolțan1, 2*
1 The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj- Napoca, România
2 Kind Strategies SRL, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 400445
Abstract
Empathy and therapeutic alliance are key components of evidence-based psychotherapy and strong predictors of positive outcomes. Yet future psychologists often lack practical experience, underscoring the need for training that integrates theory with practice. Virtual reality (VR) offers a safe, controlled environment to rehearse relational skills. This pilot single-group pre–post study examined the feasibility and usability of the Future Psychotherapists VR application, designed to enhance empathy and alliance-building skills. Fifty-five participants, predominantly students, completed one VR-based training session interacting with a virtual client in a predefined scenario. Simulator sickness was assessed pre- and post-session, whereas usability and perceived cognitive workload were measured post-intervention. As an exploratory aim, state empathy (cognitive, affective, and associative components) was assessed before and after the session. Simulator sickness showed a slight increase from pre to post, but remained low overall. Usability ratings were high and perceived cognitive workload was moderate. For the exploratory aim, significant pre–post improvements emerged across all empathy components. Expert evaluations supported the scenario’s relevance for therapeutic skill development. Overall, the Future Psychotherapists VR tool appears to be a feasible and usable method for training empathy and alliance-related skills in psychology students and may help bridge the gap between academic training and clinical practice by offering realistic opportunities to practice core therapeutic competencies.
Keywords: Virtual reality; Empathy; Therapeutic alliance; VR training; Future psychotherapists; Skills development
Please cite this article as:
Cristolțan, D. A., (2026). Feasibility and Usability of a VR-Based Training for Therapeutic Relationship Skills in Future Psychotherapists: A Pilot Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, 26(1), 19-38.
DOI: 10.24193/jebp.2026.1.2
Published online: 2026/03/01
Published print: 2026/03/01
