Q1. Define counselling and explain its characteristics with suitable examples. Or Illustrate the qualities and skills of a counsellor with suitable examples.
- Counselling is a professional, facilitative relationship empowering clients to address concerns and achieve personal growth.
- It is purposeful and goal-oriented, aiming to help clients resolve specific issues or develop coping strategies.
- Counselling is client-centered, focusing on the individual's autonomy and unique perspective, not advice-giving.
- Confidentiality is a cornerstone, ensuring a safe, trusting environment for client disclosure (with limits on harm).
Answer: Counselling, as defined in MSW-015, is a professional relationship that empowers individuals to explore their concerns, gain insights, and make informed decisions towards personal growth and problem resolution. It is a facilitative, client-centered process where a trained counsellor assists a client in understanding their inner world and external circumstances, fostering self-direction and constructive change. This process is distinct from advice-giving or casual conversation. Instead, it invo...