Exploring Metaverse-Based Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Case Study of Middle-Aged Men

This study aimed to explore the experiences and meanings of metaverse-based psychological counseling for middle-aged men. In the within-case analysis, ‘structuring of counseling’ was shown in the pre-session; the early stage involved setting main complaints, counseling goals, behavior patterns, and relationship formation; the middle stage included deep conversation and attempts at change; and the later stage showed continued change and overall outcomes. Cross-case analysis yielded six overarching categories: efforts to adapt to the virtual environment, interaction with the avatar counselor, immersion in the counseling process, flexibility of time and space, perceived effectiveness of counseling, and opinions on platform applicability.