PYC4809
Assignment 3
PORTFOLIO
Unique No: 647028
DUE: 25 September 2025
, ASSIGNMENT 03
EXAMINATION PORTFOLIO
Task 1 - Dudu: Person-centred approach (20 marks)
Instructions: Use a person-centred perspective to show how you would proceed with
Dudu. Answers are organized as clear, student-style responses to each numbered
question.
1) What is your attitude about Dudu wanting to leave her husband and her child?
What are your values on this matter, and how would they influence the way you
would work with her?
Answer (marks: show awareness of values & impact on practice):
My professional attitude is one of non-judgemental acceptance: I would hold no
prescriptive moral judgement about Dudu’s wish to leave. In person-centred practice the
therapist’s role is to provide a facilitative environment (congruence, unconditional
positive regard, and empathic understanding) so the client can explore feelings and
make self-directed choices not to impose the therapist’s values or give directives. This
means I would treat Dudu as the expert on her life, honour her autonomy, and avoid
telling her what she should do. I would communicate respect for her right to make
decisions while remaining genuinely curious about her experience, fears and hopes.
These therapist values (non-judgement, respect for client autonomy, empathy) directly
shape interventions: I would focus on reflective listening, clarification, and creating
safety rather than advice or moral persuasion.
Why this matters here: Dudu’s cultural background (strict, traditional family messages
about women’s roles) and the strong social pressures she’s likely experienced make it
essential that the counsellor not re-enact judgmental family attitudes. Adopting a non-
directive, accepting stance reduces the risk of pushing her toward decisions that aren’t
hers.
, 2) If Dudu asked you for your advice regarding her plan to leave her husband and
child, what would you say? To what degree can Dudu function without advice?
Answer (marks: examine advice vs autonomy):
What I would say (phrased person-centred):
• I would not give direct instructions (e.g., “You must/should leave” or “You must
stay”). Instead I would reflect back her concerns: “You’re thinking of leaving
because you feel empty/tired and have been having affairs; you’re also worried
about how you’d support yourself and what will happen to your son.” This helps
verify and deepen her expression so she can evaluate options herself.
• If she insisted on practical information (e.g., about financial resources or child-
care/legal options), I would offer factual, non-directive information or refer to
resources (shelters, social services, legal aid) while making clear that the
decision remains hers. Person-centred practice allows providing factual
information when asked, but not authoritative advice.
Degree of functioning without advice:
• Rogers’ model assumes people possess an actualising tendency and inner
resources to move toward growth when given a facilitative climate. Dudu may be
able to make many decisions without external advice if she feels understood and
accepted; however, practical constraints (low education, limited finances, recent
relocation, child-care needs) reduce her realistic options and might necessitate
practical support/referrals. Thus: psychologically she may function and clarify
values through therapy; practically she may need external supports/resources to
implement decisions.
3) If you accepted Dudu as a client, in what ways could you be of most help to
her?
Answer (marks: specific person-centred interventions & aims):
Assignment 3
PORTFOLIO
Unique No: 647028
DUE: 25 September 2025
, ASSIGNMENT 03
EXAMINATION PORTFOLIO
Task 1 - Dudu: Person-centred approach (20 marks)
Instructions: Use a person-centred perspective to show how you would proceed with
Dudu. Answers are organized as clear, student-style responses to each numbered
question.
1) What is your attitude about Dudu wanting to leave her husband and her child?
What are your values on this matter, and how would they influence the way you
would work with her?
Answer (marks: show awareness of values & impact on practice):
My professional attitude is one of non-judgemental acceptance: I would hold no
prescriptive moral judgement about Dudu’s wish to leave. In person-centred practice the
therapist’s role is to provide a facilitative environment (congruence, unconditional
positive regard, and empathic understanding) so the client can explore feelings and
make self-directed choices not to impose the therapist’s values or give directives. This
means I would treat Dudu as the expert on her life, honour her autonomy, and avoid
telling her what she should do. I would communicate respect for her right to make
decisions while remaining genuinely curious about her experience, fears and hopes.
These therapist values (non-judgement, respect for client autonomy, empathy) directly
shape interventions: I would focus on reflective listening, clarification, and creating
safety rather than advice or moral persuasion.
Why this matters here: Dudu’s cultural background (strict, traditional family messages
about women’s roles) and the strong social pressures she’s likely experienced make it
essential that the counsellor not re-enact judgmental family attitudes. Adopting a non-
directive, accepting stance reduces the risk of pushing her toward decisions that aren’t
hers.
, 2) If Dudu asked you for your advice regarding her plan to leave her husband and
child, what would you say? To what degree can Dudu function without advice?
Answer (marks: examine advice vs autonomy):
What I would say (phrased person-centred):
• I would not give direct instructions (e.g., “You must/should leave” or “You must
stay”). Instead I would reflect back her concerns: “You’re thinking of leaving
because you feel empty/tired and have been having affairs; you’re also worried
about how you’d support yourself and what will happen to your son.” This helps
verify and deepen her expression so she can evaluate options herself.
• If she insisted on practical information (e.g., about financial resources or child-
care/legal options), I would offer factual, non-directive information or refer to
resources (shelters, social services, legal aid) while making clear that the
decision remains hers. Person-centred practice allows providing factual
information when asked, but not authoritative advice.
Degree of functioning without advice:
• Rogers’ model assumes people possess an actualising tendency and inner
resources to move toward growth when given a facilitative climate. Dudu may be
able to make many decisions without external advice if she feels understood and
accepted; however, practical constraints (low education, limited finances, recent
relocation, child-care needs) reduce her realistic options and might necessitate
practical support/referrals. Thus: psychologically she may function and clarify
values through therapy; practically she may need external supports/resources to
implement decisions.
3) If you accepted Dudu as a client, in what ways could you be of most help to
her?
Answer (marks: specific person-centred interventions & aims):
