PYC3705
EXAM
PACK
2025
, lOMoARcPSD|58918787
Dear Student,
We are just a few weeks away from the examinations, and you are probably waiting in anticipation of
exam guidelines. We continue to receive feedback that indicates to us that students are enjoying the
Transformative Counselling Encounters module. We have also received comments from students that
they are already benefitting from interacting with the experiential activities and assignments in the
module and are looking forward to applying some of the newly acquired skills and principles in their
everyday lives.
There are a few matters that this tutorial letter aims to cover, namely:
1. Provide feedback on the MCQ Assignment 02
2. Provide guidelines on the examination
Feedback: Assignment 02
Assignment 02 consisted of 20 Multiple Choice Questions.
The memorandum provides feedback on Assignment 02. Answers to the questions as well as
discussions of the questions are provided. The key to each question is indicated, that is the option that
provides the correct answer. The reason why the indicated key is the most correct answer is explained.
In some cases, the discussion also indicates why the other options are incorrect.
Assignment 02 covers the entire syllabus. Working through the discussions on these questions,
therefore, serves as a revision of the work you have studied. Your incorrect answers give an idea of the
sections that you need to spend additional time on when preparing for the examination.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following statements is true for the notion of “opening up the space” for the client within the
counselling encounter?
A. The counsellor’s warmth, congruence, and unconditional acceptance of the client, regardless of
the client’s behaviour, are essential in creating space for meaningful engagement.
B. Micro-skills should not be used early in the session as they may hinder the client from sharing
his/her experiences.
C. A conducive and welcoming environment may create unrealistic expectations from the client’s
side; therefore, the counsellor needs to be cautious not to open up the space too early in his/her
encounter with the client.
D. “Opening up the space” within a counselling context is an automatic process and it requires no
effort from the counsellor, otherwise, it becomes an artificial and incongruous act.
The correct answer is A.
Explanation: Empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. These first three conditions are
called the core conditions.
Empathy
The first condition is called empathy, sometimes referred to as a frame of reference.
The counsellor tries to understand the thoughts and the feelings as the client experiences them,
sometimes referred to as ‘walking in someone else’s shoes’.
Try this experiment: with a friend, look at the same object or the view out of the window.
Do you see the same thing?
Probably not.
2
Downloaded by Jonah Njenga ()
, lOMoARcPSD|58918787
PYC3705/202/2/2025
The reason is that we all have our perception of the world.
Congruence
The second condition is known as congruence. This means the counsellor is genuine.
This condition is important as it allows the client to build a trusting relationship with the counsellor.
The counsellor’s congruence can also help defeat negative attitudes or conditions of worth that others
may have placed on the client.
The counsellor’s warm and genuine approach allows the client to feel valued. This in turn builds self-
esteem and trust in their judgement.
Let’s face it, would you want to talk your problems over with someone who acts falsely?
Unconditional Positive Regard
The third condition is known as unconditional positive regard.
Unconditional positive regard allows the client to open up and speak about their difficulties without fear of
being criticised or judged.
For a client, it can be a relief to talk about their problems without someone saying, ‘Why did you do this?’
or ‘Do you think that was a good idea?’ A good listener can stay with the client’s experience without
interrupting or judging them.
QUESTION 2
The problem resolution stage of counselling is best characterised by which ONE of the following?
A. The stage in which the counsellor or therapist explores, in-depth, the emotional and cognitive
dynamics of the client, problem parameters, previously tried solutions, and decision-making
capabilities.
B. The stage where methods and procedures for follow-up are determined.
C. The stage of rapport building, information gathering, goal determination, and informing the client
about the conditions under which counselling will take place.
D. The stage in which both counsellor and client are active, wherein the counsellor engages in
facilitating, demonstrating, instructing, and providing a safe environment for change; and the
client engages in re-evaluation, trying out new behaviours, exploring emotional and cognitive
factors, and discarding old behaviours.
The correct answer is D.
Explanation: The problem-solving stage provides clients with tools to identify and solve problems that
arise from life stressors, both big and small. It aims to improve their overall quality of life and reduce the
negative impact of psychological and physical illness.
A positive problem-solving orientation means viewing things in an optimistic light, embracing self-
efficacy, and accepting the idea that problems are a normal part of life. Problem-solving skills are
behaviours that you can rely on to help you navigate conflict, even during times of stress. This includes
skills like:
• Knowing how to identify a problem.
• Defining the problem in a helpful way.
• Trying to understand the problem more deeply.
• Setting goals related to the problem.
• Generating alternative, creative solutions to the problem.
3
Downloaded by Jonah Njenga ()
, lOMoARcPSD|58918787
• Choosing the best course of action.
• Implementing the choice you have made.
• Evaluating the outcome to determine the next steps.
QUESTION 3
Which one of the following statements best describes empathic understanding?
A. Empathic understanding is the ability to see the incomplete picture that clients paint with their
words.
B. Empathic understanding is the ability to feel with clients, as opposed to feeling for clients.
C. Empathic understanding is the ability to communicate and demonstrate genuine caring and
concern for clients.
D. Empathic understanding is the ability to deal with the here-and-now factors that operate within
the helping relationship.
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: Empathy in counselling is where the counsellor sees the client’s world from the client’s
perspective (as the client sees it). Empathy understanding means to respectfully perceive what the client
is bringing from their frame of reference and to communicate that back in a way that makes the client
feel they’ve been understood.
QUESTION 4
Collaborating across sectors is necessary and important because it - - - - -
(a) enables counsellors to recognise which counselling aspects are universal and which are specific
to a professional group.
(b) draws attention to the usefulness of activating other professional role-players to adequately assist
clients.
(c) improves knowledge of the network resources and multidisciplinary services that are available to
enhance intervention services that can be rendered to clients.
(d) enables counsellors to become aware of biases and stereotypes and to question the limitations of
their profession.
The correct answer is:
A. (a) & (d)
B. (b) & (c)
C. (a), (b), (c) & (d)
D. (a), (b) & (d)
The correct answer is C.
Explanation: Intersectoral or cross-sector collaboration involves integrating contributions from different
sectors (that is social functions such as health, welfare, education, and justice), whether from the NGO
sector or the state. Collaboration means working together cooperatively. Intersectoral means between
sectors. Therefore, intersectoral collaboration would involve people or agencies in different sectors
working together.
Cross-sector collaboration is a more efficient and effective way of providing services for individuals
and/or families with complex needs. Importantly, cross-sector collaboration allows counsellors to better
manage the complex needs of their clients by providing more holistic and coordinated services. By
working across sectors, counselling services can contribute to a growing pool of knowledge, expertise,
funding, shared referrals, and other valuable resources which can improve outcomes for clients and their
families.
4
Downloaded by Jonah Njenga ()
EXAM
PACK
2025
, lOMoARcPSD|58918787
Dear Student,
We are just a few weeks away from the examinations, and you are probably waiting in anticipation of
exam guidelines. We continue to receive feedback that indicates to us that students are enjoying the
Transformative Counselling Encounters module. We have also received comments from students that
they are already benefitting from interacting with the experiential activities and assignments in the
module and are looking forward to applying some of the newly acquired skills and principles in their
everyday lives.
There are a few matters that this tutorial letter aims to cover, namely:
1. Provide feedback on the MCQ Assignment 02
2. Provide guidelines on the examination
Feedback: Assignment 02
Assignment 02 consisted of 20 Multiple Choice Questions.
The memorandum provides feedback on Assignment 02. Answers to the questions as well as
discussions of the questions are provided. The key to each question is indicated, that is the option that
provides the correct answer. The reason why the indicated key is the most correct answer is explained.
In some cases, the discussion also indicates why the other options are incorrect.
Assignment 02 covers the entire syllabus. Working through the discussions on these questions,
therefore, serves as a revision of the work you have studied. Your incorrect answers give an idea of the
sections that you need to spend additional time on when preparing for the examination.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following statements is true for the notion of “opening up the space” for the client within the
counselling encounter?
A. The counsellor’s warmth, congruence, and unconditional acceptance of the client, regardless of
the client’s behaviour, are essential in creating space for meaningful engagement.
B. Micro-skills should not be used early in the session as they may hinder the client from sharing
his/her experiences.
C. A conducive and welcoming environment may create unrealistic expectations from the client’s
side; therefore, the counsellor needs to be cautious not to open up the space too early in his/her
encounter with the client.
D. “Opening up the space” within a counselling context is an automatic process and it requires no
effort from the counsellor, otherwise, it becomes an artificial and incongruous act.
The correct answer is A.
Explanation: Empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. These first three conditions are
called the core conditions.
Empathy
The first condition is called empathy, sometimes referred to as a frame of reference.
The counsellor tries to understand the thoughts and the feelings as the client experiences them,
sometimes referred to as ‘walking in someone else’s shoes’.
Try this experiment: with a friend, look at the same object or the view out of the window.
Do you see the same thing?
Probably not.
2
Downloaded by Jonah Njenga ()
, lOMoARcPSD|58918787
PYC3705/202/2/2025
The reason is that we all have our perception of the world.
Congruence
The second condition is known as congruence. This means the counsellor is genuine.
This condition is important as it allows the client to build a trusting relationship with the counsellor.
The counsellor’s congruence can also help defeat negative attitudes or conditions of worth that others
may have placed on the client.
The counsellor’s warm and genuine approach allows the client to feel valued. This in turn builds self-
esteem and trust in their judgement.
Let’s face it, would you want to talk your problems over with someone who acts falsely?
Unconditional Positive Regard
The third condition is known as unconditional positive regard.
Unconditional positive regard allows the client to open up and speak about their difficulties without fear of
being criticised or judged.
For a client, it can be a relief to talk about their problems without someone saying, ‘Why did you do this?’
or ‘Do you think that was a good idea?’ A good listener can stay with the client’s experience without
interrupting or judging them.
QUESTION 2
The problem resolution stage of counselling is best characterised by which ONE of the following?
A. The stage in which the counsellor or therapist explores, in-depth, the emotional and cognitive
dynamics of the client, problem parameters, previously tried solutions, and decision-making
capabilities.
B. The stage where methods and procedures for follow-up are determined.
C. The stage of rapport building, information gathering, goal determination, and informing the client
about the conditions under which counselling will take place.
D. The stage in which both counsellor and client are active, wherein the counsellor engages in
facilitating, demonstrating, instructing, and providing a safe environment for change; and the
client engages in re-evaluation, trying out new behaviours, exploring emotional and cognitive
factors, and discarding old behaviours.
The correct answer is D.
Explanation: The problem-solving stage provides clients with tools to identify and solve problems that
arise from life stressors, both big and small. It aims to improve their overall quality of life and reduce the
negative impact of psychological and physical illness.
A positive problem-solving orientation means viewing things in an optimistic light, embracing self-
efficacy, and accepting the idea that problems are a normal part of life. Problem-solving skills are
behaviours that you can rely on to help you navigate conflict, even during times of stress. This includes
skills like:
• Knowing how to identify a problem.
• Defining the problem in a helpful way.
• Trying to understand the problem more deeply.
• Setting goals related to the problem.
• Generating alternative, creative solutions to the problem.
3
Downloaded by Jonah Njenga ()
, lOMoARcPSD|58918787
• Choosing the best course of action.
• Implementing the choice you have made.
• Evaluating the outcome to determine the next steps.
QUESTION 3
Which one of the following statements best describes empathic understanding?
A. Empathic understanding is the ability to see the incomplete picture that clients paint with their
words.
B. Empathic understanding is the ability to feel with clients, as opposed to feeling for clients.
C. Empathic understanding is the ability to communicate and demonstrate genuine caring and
concern for clients.
D. Empathic understanding is the ability to deal with the here-and-now factors that operate within
the helping relationship.
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: Empathy in counselling is where the counsellor sees the client’s world from the client’s
perspective (as the client sees it). Empathy understanding means to respectfully perceive what the client
is bringing from their frame of reference and to communicate that back in a way that makes the client
feel they’ve been understood.
QUESTION 4
Collaborating across sectors is necessary and important because it - - - - -
(a) enables counsellors to recognise which counselling aspects are universal and which are specific
to a professional group.
(b) draws attention to the usefulness of activating other professional role-players to adequately assist
clients.
(c) improves knowledge of the network resources and multidisciplinary services that are available to
enhance intervention services that can be rendered to clients.
(d) enables counsellors to become aware of biases and stereotypes and to question the limitations of
their profession.
The correct answer is:
A. (a) & (d)
B. (b) & (c)
C. (a), (b), (c) & (d)
D. (a), (b) & (d)
The correct answer is C.
Explanation: Intersectoral or cross-sector collaboration involves integrating contributions from different
sectors (that is social functions such as health, welfare, education, and justice), whether from the NGO
sector or the state. Collaboration means working together cooperatively. Intersectoral means between
sectors. Therefore, intersectoral collaboration would involve people or agencies in different sectors
working together.
Cross-sector collaboration is a more efficient and effective way of providing services for individuals
and/or families with complex needs. Importantly, cross-sector collaboration allows counsellors to better
manage the complex needs of their clients by providing more holistic and coordinated services. By
working across sectors, counselling services can contribute to a growing pool of knowledge, expertise,
funding, shared referrals, and other valuable resources which can improve outcomes for clients and their
families.
4
Downloaded by Jonah Njenga ()
