Assessment: Counselling Theory

This assessment has been designed in two parts. Part 1 allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of counselling methodologies and the counselling process. Part 2 allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of professional ethics, boundaries and the application of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) as a counselling framework. 

You will be assessed on your:

• Knowledge of counselling process, counselling methodologies and codes of practice
• Application of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in your responses
• Demonstration of literacy skills to communicate complex ideas.

Read through the questions carefully and respond to them in fullusing your own words and referencing any researched material. Any incorrect or incomplete responses will be returned to you with feedback to allow you to resubmit. If you require additional training or guidance on the topic, you can negotiate time with your tutor for assistance.

Question 1 - In your own words, describe the following counselling methods:

(a) Psychoanalytic Therapy

(b) Humanistic Therapy

(c) Counselling process

(d) Solution-Oriented Therapy

(e) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

(f) Gestalt Therapy

Question 2 - You work for an organisation which uses Cognitive Behaviour Therapy as their counselling method.

Susan, a client has come in as she is concerned about her behaviour towards her three young children. She shouts at them if they make a mess in the house and they, in turn, spend all their time crying. She realises that this is escalating and has come for help.

(a) Describe the kind of client-counsellor relationship when CBT method is used.

(b) How appropriate is this method for helping this client? Why/Why not?

(c) When exploring the issues with Susan, it becomes obvious that she has deep-seated insecurity problems based on a history of abuse as a child which is beyond your skills and experience. What would you do?

(d) What stages of development based on Erickson's psycho social stages of development might have been impacted when Susan was:

(e) Identify your own personal values and feelings about this situation and describe how you could manage them to ensure they don't interfere with your work as a counsellor.

(f) Susan elects to continue working with you as she feels that the practical tasks are working. You talk to her about drawing up a contract that she will agree to for the time she is working with you. What do you think the contract should cover?