Enhancing Counselor Education With Artificial Intelligence Chatbots: Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence and Counseling Skill Self‐Efficacy

ABSTRACT This concurrent embedded mixed‐method study explored how an AI chatbot (ChatGPT) supports self‐efficacy in counseling skills among counseling students. Pre‐/post‐surveys examined changes in attitude toward AI and counseling self‐efficacy using a two‐way mixed‐design analysis of variance among 50 students, with time (pre vs. post) as a within‐subjects factor and group (e.g., intervention vs. comparison) as a between‐subjects factor. Results demonstrated a significant interaction effect, with a large effect size (e.g., partial η 2 = 0.185) on perceived efficacy in working with challenging clients, particularly in relationship‐building. A thematic analysis of students’ reflections identified five positive experiences and six key challenges in using ChatGPT‐4o for counseling skill practice. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.