BPCE 145 Solved Guess Paper 2026 for Counselling Psychology, Bachelor of Arts (General) BAG

Goals and techniques of psychoanalysis

Question: Describe the goals of psychoanalysis and explain the techniques used in it.

Meaning and goals. The overarching goal of psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious conscious, because the resolution of problems lies in understanding unconscious conflicts. The chief goals are:

1. Making the unconscious conscious: resolving repressed conflicts so that hidden material is understood and worked through.
2. Strengthening the ego: so that the ego can function without being overwhelmed by anxiety.
3. Reducing instinctual pressure: lowering the intensity of the id's strivings and the superego's harsh demands.
4. Facilitating insight: the client connects past experiences and conflicts with present problems, which reorganises the personality.
5. Better coping and adjustment: the reorganised personality copes with and adjusts to life more effectively.

Techniques in psychoanalysis

1. Interpretation: the key technique; the analyst explains behaviour, symptoms and conflicts in the light of theory, timed to the client's readiness.
2. Free association: the client speaks whatever comes to mind without censorship, releasing buried material and often leading to catharsis.
3. Analysis of resistance: anything that works against therapy, such as silence, changing the subject or missed appointments, is dealt with and interpreted at once.
4. Dream interpretation: dreams are the "royal road to the unconscious", disguised expressions of repressed wishes that surface as ego defences weaken in sleep.
5. Transference and its interpretation: the client redirects feelings from a past significant relationship onto the analyst; interpreting this shows how the past shapes the present.

Conclusion: Psychoanalysis aims to make the unconscious conscious, strengthen the ego and build insight so the client copes better. Interpretation, free association, resistance analysis, dream interpretation and transference are the tools that reach these goals.

Person-centred therapy: counsellor's role and techniques

Question: Discuss the role of the counsellor and explain the techniques used in person-centred therapy.

Developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s, person-centred therapy (also called client-centred or non-directive therapy) rests on the belief that each person is rational, worthy and moving towards self-actualisation. The counsellor tries to sense the client's private world as if it were their own, without ever losing the "as if" quality.

Role of the counsellor

1. A role without a role: the counsellor is non-directive; the function is an experienced way of relating, not a learned technique.
2. Empathetic listener: the counsellor trusts the client's ability to lead her own life; the client is the expert.
3. Attitude over technique: care, respect, acceptance, understanding and genuineness shape the role.
4. Facilitator, not director: the counsellor stays open to the client's own explorations.

Techniques: Rogers' six necessary and sufficient conditions

Three are required of the therapist:

1. Congruence or genuineness: the counsellor is honest and authentic, with no facade.
2. Unconditional positive regard: the client is accepted without conditions of worth.
3. Empathic understanding: experiencing the client's feelings as if they were one's own.

The other three concern the client and the relationship: client incongruence (the gap between real and ideal self that motivates change), psychological contact in which the client feels safe, and the client's perception of the counsellor's regard and empathy. Moon (2007) also noted Rogers' use of non-expert language and meta-statements.

Conclusion: The person-centred counsellor is a non-directive, empathetic facilitator. Genuineness, unconditional positive regard and empathy are the means of change.

Art therapy: steps, techniques and benefits

Question: Define art therapy. Describe the steps, techniques and benefits of art therapy.

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art to reach mental, physical and emotional well-being, rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing. Adrian Hill coined the term in 1942, and Margaret Naumburg is known as the "mother of art therapy". The client need not be artistic; only the therapist must be qualified.

Steps in art therapy

1. Rapport and assessment: building rapport, assessing the problem and choosing a suitable technique.
2. Explaining the therapy: making clear that artistic excellence is not the aim, only genuine free expression.
3. Engaging and discussing: the client creates freely and the therapist discusses the output to draw meaning and resolve conflicts.
4. Termination: the therapeutic relationship is brought to a close.

Techniques. General techniques include doodling, collage, free drawing, colouring, finger painting and sculpting. Specific ones are House-Tree-Person, drawing yourself as an animal, three wishes and drawing completion.

Benefits. Research shows breast-cancer patients reported better mental and physical health, stressed employees benefited, and patients with brain injury reported lower anxiety, depression and stress. It also helps with trauma and depression.

Conclusion: Art therapy uses creative expression as a medium of communication and healing, and needs no artistic skill from the client.

Indigenous (Indian) approaches to counselling

Question: Describe the various indigenous (Indian) approaches to counselling.

Counselling is not new to India. The Vedas and Upanishads can be seen as the primary source of counselling practice here, and it is built into socialisation, with elders as the first counsellors. The main indigenous approaches are:

1. Bhagavad Gita: Krishna counsels Arjuna through dialogue, offering Jnana, Karma and Bhakti as paths to a fruitful life.
2. Karma theory: "as you sow, so shall you reap"; good karma can change one's destiny, which stresses personal responsibility.
3. Mindfulness: full, non-judgemental awareness of the present moment, with roots in Buddhism.
4. Panchakosha model: the five sheaths of the person; counselling works best when the relevant kosha is identified.
5. Yoga and meditation: Patanjali's eight-fold path in the Yoga Sutras, leading from ethical conduct to Samadhi.
6. Ayurveda: the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) and three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), whose balance keeps a person healthy.
7. Vedantic counselling: based on Dharma and the four goals of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
8. Guru-shishya relationship: a tradition of trust and care; the guru's qualities should describe the counsellor.
9. Integral psychology of Sri Aurobindo: a holistic view in which evolution of consciousness and self-actualisation are the aim.

Conclusion: These culturally rooted approaches stress self-awareness, balance and personal responsibility for well-being.

Geriatric counselling: goals and techniques

Question: Describe the goals and commonly used techniques of counselling in the geriatric population.

Geriatric counselling is counselling for older persons in late adulthood. The word comes from the Greek "Geron", meaning old man. Neugarten (1978) divided old age into the young-old (65 to 75), the old (75 to 85) and the old-old (85 and above).

Goals

1. Behaviour modification: changing problem behaviours that disturb the client or loved ones.
2. Enhancing coping skills: teaching adaptive skills such as being assertive.
3. Ability to make decisions: improving cognitive function and rebuilding self-esteem.
4. Improving relationships: helping the elderly form bonds that give worth and meaning.
5. Raising motivation: so that recovery becomes smoother.

Commonly used techniques (individual or group settings)

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: cognitive restructuring of dysfunctional beliefs, used for mild-to-moderate anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia.
2. Reminiscence therapy: developed for dementia; recalling major life events through stories and photographs.
3. Interpersonal counselling: treats mood problems by improving relationships, problem-solving and communication.
4. Gestalt therapy: builds awareness of conflicts, with focus on personal responsibility and the present.

Conclusion: Geriatric counselling targets behaviour change, coping, decisions, relationships and motivation, using CBT, reminiscence, interpersonal and Gestalt methods.