PSCG517 - Certificate in Advanced Counselling Skills Assessment - Part One v7 | The Career Academy NZ

Certificate in Advanced Counselling Skills - Part One

Read the requirements below and then complete all parts of the assessment. Once completed, save your work as either a Word document or a PDF file. Once you have saved your work click on the Assessment submission link within this topic and upload your completed assessment to your tutor for marking.

Plagiarism

Please remember that presenting work that is not your own (e.g., content copied directly from the course material or websites) is considered plagiarism and is a violation of your student policy. Plagiarised work will not be marked by your tutors and will result in a re-submission or fail.

Assessment Marking Guidelines

There are three possible outcomes for this assessment: outstanding, satisfactory and resubmit. Please review the marking schedule at the end of this assessment for details on what is required for each question.

Learning Outcomes

In this assignment, you will be assessed on the following learning outcomes: 

• List and explain the stages of the counselling session. (Refer to: The Counselling Session)  Distinguish between the different types of counselling problems and discuss ways to overcome common counselling problems. (Refer to: Focusing on the Present)
• Identify the components of the communication process. (Refer to: Focusing on the Present) 
• Discuss the process for each stage of telephone counselling. (Refer to: Telephone Counselling). 
• Discuss counsellor responses to a crisis. (Refer to: Dealing with Crisis)

Question 1

Preparing for and knowing what to expect in a counselling session offers consistency in how you may approach client needs.

Create a bullet-pointed list of what should happen during each stage of the counselling session. Write 50-100 words for each stage. Before the session:

• Review client history and case notes to prepare for themes or issues likely to arise.
• Ensure the counselling space is private, safe, and comfortable.
• Organise any necessary resources such as forms, worksheets, or assessment tools. 
• Prepare emotionally by practising self-awareness and maintaining a non-judgmental mindset.
• Plan the session framework while remaining flexible to meet client needs.

This preparation helps establish a consistent, professional approach, enabling the counsellor to remain present and focused throughout the session.

Stage 1: Initial Joining

• Greet the client warmly and establish rapport through open body language and eye contact.
• Clarify the purpose of counselling and explain the counsellor's role.
• Set boundaries by discussing confidentiality, its limits, and session structure.
• Encourage the client to express expectations and goals.

This stage builds trust and safety, creating a strong foundation for an open therapeutic relationship and effective progress.

Stage 2: Commencing the Session (The Counsellor Focuses on Feelings)

• Invite the client to share their current feelings and emotional state.
• Use open-ended questions to encourage self-expression.
• Reflect back feelings to validate and normalise the client's experience.
• Create a supportive environment where emotions can be expressed without judgment.

Focusing on feelings early in the session allows the client to feel heard, reduces emotional pressure, and builds confidence in the counselling process. 

Stage 3: Active Listening (The Counsellor Focuses on Thoughts)

• Listen attentively without interruption, demonstrating empathy and understanding.
• Paraphrase or summarise the client's thoughts to confirm accuracy.
• Explore underlying beliefs, assumptions, and thought patterns.
• Identify links between the client's feelings and cognitions.

This stage enables the counsellor to uncover the client's internal narrative and provides insight into how thoughts may contribute to challenges. 

Stage 4: Exploring Choices, Making Changes and Planning Goals (The Counsellor Focuses on Behaviour)

• Collaboratively explore behavioural options and potential coping strategies.
• Identify realistic and achievable goals aligned with the client's values.
• Encourage the client to consider consequences of different choices.
• Develop a clear action plan, incorporating small, manageable steps.

This stage empowers the client to take responsibility for change, fostering self-efficacy and equipping them with strategies for growth.

Stage 5: Ending the Counselling Session

• Summarise key points discussed, and progress made during the session.