Which of these statements is true about counselling? A. Counselling i…

The correct answer is Option (3) → A, C & D only

Counselling is a helping relationship: someone seeking help, someone willing and trained to give it, in a setting that permits help to be given and received. The statements test the elements common to the major approaches to counselling and the myths about it.

A. Counselling involves a basic acceptance of the client’s feeling without judgement. Correct. Counselling involves a basic acceptance of the client’s perceptions and feelings, without using any evaluative standards.

B. Counselling is a non-voluntary process in which counsellor approaches client. Incorrect. It is the other way round: counselling is voluntary and takes place when a client approaches a counsellor, who never uses any kind of coercion.

C. Counselling involves responding to the feeling thoughts and action of the client. Correct. Responding to the feelings, thoughts and actions of the client is the first of the common elements of counselling.

D. Confidentiality is an essential ingredient in the counselling setting. Correct. Confidentiality and privacy are essential ingredients, and physical facilities that preserve them are important.

E. Counselling is giving advice Incorrect. This is one of the myths of counselling: counselling is not giving advice, nor merely giving information. The focus is on how the client understands and feels about the problem.

Note: The elements of counselling and the myths about counselling were there in the chapter ‘Developing Psychological Skills’ of the pre-rationalised NCERT, which NTA followed in 2023, and are not there in the NCERT book (2025-26).