Assertion: The therapist, the therapeutic relationship, and the process of therapy are the agents of change in the client leading to the alleviation of psychological distress.

Reasoning: It is not advisable to start a psychotherapy without a clinical formulation.

Both Assertion (A) and reasoning (R) are correct and but R is not the correct explanation of A.

The correct answer is Option 2: Both Assertion (A) and reasoning (R) are correct and but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Assertion: The therapist, the therapeutic relationship, and the process of therapy are the agents of change in the client leading to the alleviation of psychological distress. This is correct. These elements (therapist, relationship, therapy techniques) together bring change in the client's emotional and behavioral state.

Reasoning: It is not advisable to start a psychotherapy without a clinical formulation. This is True. The process of psychotherapy begins by formulating the client’s problem.

However, is R the correct explanation of A? No.

• Assertion is about what brings change (therapist, relationship, process).

• Reasoning is about the need for a clinical formulation before starting therapy — an important step, but not the reason why those three agents bring about change.