Virtual Booth

Counsellors often face challenges in encouraging emotional expression and identifying clients’ underlying issues, particularly during the initial stages of therapy. Adolescents, in particular, tend to perceive traditional counselling as overly formal, unengaging, and emotionally unsafe, which limits their openness and participation. Addressing this gap, the SoulSteps Gameboard was developed as an innovative, gamified counselling tool designed to promote emotional expression, engagement, and self-reflection in a comfortable and interactive environment. Grounded in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, SoulSteps integrates structured gameplay elements such as X-tokens, Hidden Cards, and Spiderweb Visualization to help clients recognize their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, while enabling counsellors to assess progress systematically through a validated Keyword and Scoring Manual covering seven psychological dimensions. Findings from a pilot study involving three adolescent clients demonstrated that the tool enhanced openness, trust, and self-awareness while reducing tension during counselling sessions. Counsellors reported that SoulSteps facilitated quicker identification of core issues and improved documentation through its scoring and visualization features. Beyond its therapeutic impact, SoulSteps contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 4: Quality Education, by promoting emotional literacy, mental resilience, and reflective learning. With a commercialization value of RM350 per set, the SoulSteps Gameboard offers a cost-effective, reusable, and professional resource suitable for schools, universities, and counselling centres. This innovation redefines the counselling experience by merging evidence-based therapy, interactivity, and engagement to foster deeper emotional connection and sustainable mental well-being.