Two counsellors at a college clinic in Pune see students who feel stressed. Rohan meets Ms Kavya Rao and asks her what he should do about his fear of examinations. She does not give him advice. She turns the question back to him, listens with warmth and accepts whatever he says. Over a few weeks, Rohan works out his own plan. Priya meets Dr Anil Mehta. He asks her to say whatever comes to her mind and to describe her dreams. He then tells her what her thoughts show about fears left over from her childhood.
Which of the following best describes Ms Rao's way of working with Rohan?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Non-directive, as in person-centred therapy
Option (1) Directive, as in psychodynamic therapy — Incorrect. Psychodynamic therapy is directive: the therapist leads and explains the client's thoughts to her/him. That fits Dr Mehta's work with Priya, not Ms Rao, who leaves the choices to Rohan.
Option (2) Directive, as in person-centred therapy — Incorrect. Person-centred therapy is not directive. Here the label and the example are wrongly paired, and Ms Rao does not lead Rohan towards any answer.
Option (3) Non-directive, as in person-centred therapy — Correct. Ms Rao gives no advice and turns Rohan's question back to him, so the client, not the therapist, leads. Such therapy is non-directive, and person-centred therapy is the standard example of it.
Option (4) Non-directive, as in psychodynamic therapy — Incorrect. Psychodynamic therapy is directive, so calling it non-directive reverses its nature. It is the approach Dr Mehta follows.
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