CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship

Name: Rochelle Cerrudo

Student Number: 12820

ASSESSMENT TASK 1 – QUESTIONING

1. Identify at least two (2) factors you would need to consider before commencing a
counselling session with a client. Briefly explain why these factors are important to
consider.

 Client’s expectations – identifying client’s expectations are important so that you

will know what approach, process, behaviors and solutions you will need.
 Purpose of the session – considering the purpose of the session is essential so
that you will have an overview on how your clients expect and prefer on how the
session will would go. It also helps the counsellor to accomplish client’s goals.

2. Identify and briefly describe at least two (2) sources of information you can use to
analyses client information before commencement of a counselling session.

 Service/referral forms – provide background information counsellors can use to

determine client circumstances and needs.
 Risk assessments – contains some of the issues, needs, and risks associated with
counselling the individual.

3. Identify at least two (2) areas that you would focus on when gathering information
about the client during the first session.

 Client’s behavior
 Counselling intervention

4. Identify at least (5) communication techniques that you should apply in an initial
counselling session.

 Active listening
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Name: Rochelle Cerrudo
Student Number: 12820

 Paraphrasing
 Asking relevant questions
 Empathy and interest
 Summarizing

5. Briefly explain why it is important to follow a structured approach in counselling .

It is important to ensure that the client’s needs and expectations can be worked
through in a systematic and organised fashion. It also gives a sense of security and
certainty that each issue/problem will be covered through the counselling process.

6. The seven (7) concepts identified below are a vital part of the counselling process.
Briefly explain what each concept refers to.

 What clients have a right to expect

The right to be treated with respect and dignity and to receive services in
a non-discriminatory manner.

 Principles of person-centered practice

Refers where the person is supported to lead their own care and treated
as a person first.

 Purpose of counselling
A collaborative effort between the counselor and client on how to resolve
a problem through proper communication.

 How counselling has evolved as a helping relationship

General agreement on the goals and tasks of the therapy.
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Name: Rochelle Cerrudo
Student Number: 12820

 Place of counselling within the helping services

Refers to where the counselling will happen such as a private space,
community settings, group homes, long-term care facilities or short-term care
facilities.

 Scope and nature of the counselling relationship, including professional

limitations
Bringing about positive change in the way a client thinks and behaves, with
empathy and genuineness, so they can make the change within themselves.

 Impact of own values on counselling relationships

The client's values tend to grow closer to the values of the counsellor, as
counsellors do become role models for their clients.

7. Identify at least four (4) skills you would use to clarify, confirm or modify a client's
expectation of the counselling process.

 Active listening
 Showing interests on client’s expectations
 Emphatic understanding
 Summarizing and asking clarifying questions

8. Identify and briefly describe at least four (4) skills you would use to acknowledge and
show respect for a client's concerns and anxieties during a counselling session.

 Privacy and confidentiality

Explaining that the organisation has a legal and moral duty to maintain
the confidentiality of every client.

 Validating responses
Acknowledging client’s emotions, thoughts, experiences, values, and
beliefs. 
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Name: Rochelle Cerrudo
Student Number: 12820

 Non-judgmental approach
Not seeing something as good or bad and right or wrong.

 Genuine interest
Being real and concerned for client’s emotions, needs and interests.

9. Identify at least three (3) expectations a counsellor might have for their client. Briefly
describe why each expectation is important.

 Client’s participation
This is important to have to know if the client is really interested on
resolving the issues.

 Client’s actions
It is needed so that counsellors can make adjustments based on the
client’s actions.

 Client’s communication
Communication is essential in everything specifically as an expectation to
a client to provide right responses and approach.

10. Answer the following:

a) Identify at least six (6) client issues that may be beyond your role as a counsellor

 Client’s concerns are out of counsellor’s knowledge base

 Client has been referred by an organization
 Counsellor’s type of therapy is not suitable for the client
 Client is outside the professional relationship
 Client is unable to work with the counsellor
 Client is being disrespectful that’s why there is no progress being made
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Name: Rochelle Cerrudo
Student Number: 12820

b) A client has presented with a serious mental health issue. Briefly explain a
reporting and referral process the counsellor can take for the client.

 Introducing the topic of a referral to a client by summarizing to them what you

understand to be the problem. If it’s outside of the counselor’s scope or
knowledge base. Providing evidence to the client that being referred to a
designated person or organization is useful and effective. Giving information on
what can and what will happen if referred. Offering recommendations and then
accompanying the client to make sure that the referral will be successful.

11. Identify at least four (4) pieces of information that is included in a counselling
agreement.

 Type and frequency of sessions

 Treatment interventions or types of treatments being used
 Medication information
 Long-term and short-term goals

12. Read the scenario and answer the questions which follow.

A counsellor, Tim, is conducting an initial session with a young woman named

Kirstie. She is a 23-year-old indigenous woman and is hesitant to speak about the
reasons why she is wanting to receive support. The very few moments she is willing to
speak, her English is quite broken and the counsellor finds it difficult to understand what
she is saying. Tim can also tell she is extremely anxious and uncomfortable. He is aware
of the information that needs to be covered during the initial session but is needing to
find a suitable approach to communicate this to Kirstie, to try and ensure she
understands and agrees the requirements.
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Name: Rochelle Cerrudo
Student Number: 12820

a) Briefly explain what you need to consider regarding Kristie’s limited English,
when providing her with information about the counselling service.

When explaining the counseling service to Kirstie, there are a few things
to keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure she comprehends what is being
stated. You can accomplish this by speaking clearly, deliberately, and in basic
terms. It's crucial to check on her comfort level and make sure she doesn't feel
overloaded with information. You can accomplish this by giving her breaks or
enabling her to ask questions. Finally, keep in mind that Kirstie might have
expectations and demands unique to her culture. Making ensuring she feels safe
and at ease is crucial, as is showing respect for these.

b) Kirstie has presented herself as an extremely anxious and distant person. Briefly
explain how the counsellor should approach the situation in order to build
rapport.

By speaking slowly and clearly and giving Kirstie time to comprehend

what is being said, the counselor should aim to establish rapport. Kirstie's
favorite language and whether she would feel more at ease speaking in her
native tongue should both be ascertained by the counselor.

c) Identify at least six (6) legal and ethical considerations that need to be identified
and confirmed with Kirstie during the initial session. Briefly explain how each
consideration is addressed in the service.

 Informed consent
Kirstie needs to be aware of what counseling entails, what to
anticipate from the counselor, and what the counselor will require of her.
It may be challenging to explain this to Kirstie if her English is poor and
she is experiencing anxiety, but it is crucial that she comprehends the
fundamentals of what will take place during counseling.
CHCCSL001 Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
Name: Rochelle Cerrudo
Student Number: 12820

 Confidentiality
Kirstie has to be sure that whatever she talks about with the
counselor will be kept private and legal. She may now feel comfortable
discussing her ideas and experiences.

 Privacy
Kirstie needs to be aware that her private information will be
protected and won't be disclosed to anybody without her permission.

 Respect
Kirstie needs to know that the counselor respects her and that her
culture and beliefs are held in high regard.

 Boundaries
Kirstie will need to be aware of the boundaries in counseling, such
as what can and cannot be said. This will make her feel secure and at
ease throughout the procedure.

 Referrals
Kirstie will need to be referred to another service if her problems
fall outside the purview of counseling in order for that service to be of
assistance.

d) Identify at least four (4) things Tim needs to identify and discuss with Kirstie in
order to create a counselling plan.

 Kristie’s expectations
 Kristie’s needs and interests
 Kristie’s way of approach
 Kristie’s goals