Unit Topic: Establish and confirm the counselling relationship

Unit Code: CHCCSL001

ASSESSMENT BOOK 1
THE COUNSELLING RELATIONSHIP

DIPLOMA OF COUNSELLING
Published by: Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors Pty Ltd ATF AIPC Trust
ACN 077 738 035

All Case Histories in this text are presented as examples only

and any comparison which might be made with persons either
living or dead is purely coincidental.
Second Edition, June 2021
Copyright ownership: Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors Pty Ltd ATF AIPC Trust
ACN 077 738 035

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All rights reserved. No reproduction without permission.

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 Assessment Instructions
All of the information that you need to complete your assessment tasks are included in
your Study Guide and associated Readings. Before attempting to complete this
Assessment Book you must read through all of the information supplied to you in the Study
Guide and Readings for this unit. You are required to complete all assessment questions
successfully in order to be deemed competent in this unit.

This Assessment Book is designed to assess your knowledge. Copying sentences and blocks
of text directly from your Study Guide, Readings, or other documents does not demonstrate
your understanding of the topic. Neither does copying the work of another student. Such
practices are regarded as plagiarism and will not be tolerated. (Please see your Student
Handbook for further information regarding Plagiarism).

A guideline for the number of words required for a response is included to give you an idea
of the depth of information that is required to successfully answer the question. If you are
well under the approximate number of words you may need to ask yourself whether you have
been too superficial in your response. If you are well over the word limit, then you may need
to ask yourself whether you have included irrelevant information or repeated yourself
unnecessarily.

If you do not understand what is required for you to complete an assessment, please contact
an Education Adviser.

Important Note:
When an assessment item asks you to write what you would say to a client, this means that
you need to write, word for word, what you could say to the client if you were in session.
These items assess your ability to generate appropriate responses and demonstrate important
skills in the counselling context. As such, it is not acceptable to write out the topics you
would cover. Rather, you need to imagine that you are in the session with the client and write
out how you would verbally respond in the scenario. We have provided an example to
indicate how you should approach this type of assessment item.

Assessment Item:
Karen has come to counselling after the end of a long-term friendship. Karen has been
struggling to make sense of how the friendship ended and is also wondering why she is in
so much pain. She says that she is as hurt by this friendship ending as she has been by the
worst break-ups she has been through, and she worries she is over-reacting or having a
‘mental breakdown’. What would you say to Karen to normalise this experience? (Your
response should be approximately 70 words.)
Response:
“Karen, although we don’t often see the pain of friendship loss represented in television
shows or movie or pop songs, and we only seem to talk about relationship loss in terms of
romantic relationships, the loss of a friendship can be just as significant. The loss of an
important friendship brings on grief, just the way the loss of any other kind of important
relationship does.”

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 Submitting an Assessment Book
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Thank you for choosing to study with the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors.
Best Wishes!

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This Assessment Book Belongs To:
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statement of attainment.

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e: :
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Assessment Summary
Please find below the results of your first submission (this will be completed by your assessor
after your Assessment Book has been submitted)

Result Date Assessed Assessor Name Assessor Initials

                       

Questions to resubmit (if first submission is not yet competent)

     

Students, please note:

A Not Yet Competent (NYC) result does not mean that you have to redo the whole unit. In
the box above, the marker has identified exactly which questions you need to resubmit.
Feedback is provided (in a comment box) beside your current answer. All resubmissions
have to be completed at the end of this marked book.

To make a resubmission,

Step 1: Go right to the end of this Assessment Book to the “Resubmission Page”. Please do
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and your resubmitted answer.

Step 2: Write the question number and then enter your answers into the Resubmission Box.
The box will expand as you enter text.

Step 3: Make sure that you have answered all of the questions that you have been asked to
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Step 4: Resubmit this assessment book for marking via the student portal.

All the best!

Please find below the results of your resubmission (this will be completed by your assessor
after your Assessment Book has been resubmitted)

Resubmission
Date Assessed Assessor Name Assessor Initials
Result

                       

                       

Section 1
AN INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING
What is counselling and how does it help?
1.1 Briefly outline the purpose of counselling. (Your response should be approximately
50 words)

Counselling in a positeve way helps to address the problems, understanding the

issues, investigate the options on solving the issues and development of strategies
to solve the issue and make a person self- aware. Clients are able to reflect on
actual difficulties and thereby have a better grasp of the reasons of the issues
through counseling. Individuals will dedicate oneself to take steps to fix the issues
as a result of knowledge gained from counsellor. The activity done will be a
personal choice, however this may be led by the counsellor if required.

Counsellor vs. other helping professions

1.2 In addition to counsellors, there are a range of helping professionals who may be
providing support to clients at different points of their journey. Complete the table
below by correctly matching the key characteristics of each helping professional to
corresponding professionals.

Helping Professional

Psychiatrist

Coach

Social worker

Psychologist

Counsellor

Helping
Definition
Professional

This profession studies human behaviour and the processes

involved in how people think and feel. They do not prescribe
medications, however, may conduct research and provide Psychologist
treatment in order to reduce distress and behavioural and
psychological problems.

This profession consists of medical doctors who have chosen

to specialise in the study, treatment, and prevention of mental, Psychiatrist
emotional, and behavioural disorders.

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 This profession assists people to identify and define their
emotional issues and better understand themselves by
Counsellor
explaining options, setting goals, providing therapy, and
helping them to take action.

This profession helps people to deal with personal and social

problems, either directly or through advocating on behalf of Social Worker
individuals or groups against social injustice.

This profession facilitates personal and professional learning

and development through a goal-directed process. They
facilitate changes in clients towards more explicitly defined Coach
goals without focussing on emotional and psychological
issues in-depth.

1.3 In the Study Guide, you learned about how counselling has evolved into its various
forms today.
a) Both counselling and psychotherapy can be traced back to the emergence of
psychiatry which was the medical specialisation for treatment of mental illnesses.
However, there are two particular important factors that highlight the distinction
between counselling and psychotherapy. What are these two (2) factors? (Your
response should be approximately 10 words)

Present problems and situations are focused on by counseling whereas psychotherapy

focuses more on the situations that have occurred in the past and have become chronic.
Counseling is generally a communication therapy whereas psychotherapy includes tests
such as personality and intelligence and more advanced therapies such as CBT-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

b) How did the development in theories of human development and behaviours

impact on the evolution of counselling as a helping profession? (Your response
should be approximately 50 words)

The human development theories include a larger cultural and social context,
which also includes the socioeconomic conditions and cultural morna and
individual and gender roles that relate to the household decision-making
procedures. All these diverse human development and behaviors impact the
evolution of counseling sessions. Hence it requires in-depth understanding.

The counselling relationship

1.4 Describe two (2) important assumptions or beliefs that a person-centred counsellor
holds. (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

People should be treated with decency, empathy, and respect.

Provide a cohesive approach to care, assistance, and rehabilitation.

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1.5 Outline five (5) person-centred principles that counsellors should employ in order to
facilitate a positive helping relationship. (Your response should be approximately 100
words)
- People should be treated with decency, empathy, and love.
- Provide a unified approach to care, assistance, and rehabilitation.
- Provide individualized assistance, treatments, and therapy.
- Enable healthcare clients to recognize and utilize individual skills and abilities so
that they might live a perfect and meaningful life.
A friendly respectful environment without judging the client

1.6 How does working in accordance to person-centred principles help counsellors to

reduce impact of their personal values on the counselling relationship? (Your
response should be approximately 30 words)

- Person-centered therapy's main goal is to aid our capacity to self-actualize,

or the concept that we can all grow and achieve our complete capacity. By
helping clients to discover and provide their own talents and distinct
character, this technique aids their self-improvement and connections.

Counselling skills and techniques

1.7 Briefly describe three (3) ways that counsellors can use body language to indicate to
clients that they are listening and open to what they are saying. (Your response should
be approximately 75 words)

a) Maintain an open stance. Don't droop, also don't be too comfortable.

b) Make a strong handshake with the person you're meeting. But be careful not to
get overwhelmed!
c) Keep eye contact with the other person. For several seconds each time, try to
retain some other person's contact. Put your hands away from your face and
smile!

1.8 Paraphrasing is a commonly used responding skill in counselling.

a) What is paraphrasing? (Your response should be approximately 20 words)

Whenever a counselor paraphrases whatever a client has just expressed, they

include using fewer terms while maintaining the essence of what the client said.
When you're using the technique, you try to convey the core of what the other
individual has just stated.

b) “In order to paraphrase accurately, a counsellor should repeat every word that a
client has said.”

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 Examine the statement above and determine if it is accurate about paraphrasing.
Explain your reasoning. (Your response should be approximately 40 words)

Whenever a counselor paraphrases whatever a client has just started, they

include using fewer syllables while maintaining the essence of what the client
stated. When you're using the talent, your try to convey the core of what the
other individual has just stated. The client provides their own content, which
they are interested in sharing with you. And you demonstrate that you're paying
attention by offering them a small piece of that back — the bit that seems the
most essential.

1.9 Reflection of feelings is one way of showing clients that you have been attending to
what they are saying.
a) Explain what reflection of feelings entails and how it is different from
paraphrasing. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

In counseling, reflecting feelings is mostly used to develop rapport and develop

a good relationship with a client. It also helps to make a client feel honored and
accepted, motivates them to interact and open up more, and helps them in being
more conscious of their own thoughts and emotions. The distinction between
paraphrasing and thoughtful thinking is that you are merely describing whatever
the client has stated in describing. With thoughtful attention, you go further than
summarizing to discover sentiments that the individual may not have spoken,
but which are implied by their actions and behaviors.

b) Discuss how using reflection of feelings might facilitate rapport building with
clients. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

The reflection of feelings facilitates rapport building with clients as it helps to

start a conversation between the client and the counselor, ongoing conversations
about the client's emotions and feelings can help generate a comfortable
environment which in turn allows rapport building.

1.10 Summarising is often confused with paraphrasing. Explain two (2) differences
between paraphrasing and summarising. (Your response should be approximately 50
words)

Summarize varies from paraphrases in that a summary generally spans an extended length
of time than a paraphrase.
Summarizing is the process of expressing a concept in a condensed form, whereas
paraphrasing is the process of expressing an idea in its entirety in your own words.

1.11 Below is a client statement followed by several possible counsellor responses. For
each counsellor response, identify which responding skill the counsellor is
demonstrating.

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 Client: “So I’ve decided to go back to work soon. But that means putting the baby
in daycare. I haven’t spent any time away from her yet, so leaving her with strangers
seems kind of scary.”

Counsellor Response Communication

Skill

a) “Sounds like you’ve decided to go back to work, but being

Paraphrasing
away from the baby will be difficult for you.”

b) “In the last session we talked about whether you’d go back

to work or not. It sounds like you’ve made up your mind
Asking question,
and will go back to work soon. But at the same time, it’s Summarising
going to be a little scary to put the baby in daycare. Is that
right?”

c) “Mmhm.” Encouragers

d) “It seems like you feel quite fearful when you think about
Paraphrasing
leaving her for the first time.”

1.12 Counsellors would use both open and closed questions during counselling. In the
following table, describe their main feature, and the purpose of using this type of
questions in counselling. (Your total response should be approximately 40 words)

Feature Purpose

(a) Open Detailed and Broad This is used by a counselor to

find out a detailed explanation
of his/her perspective of the
client's emotions and needs.

(b) Closed General Yes/No Type and not They can assist the counselor in
detailed focusing the client's attention or
gathering highly relevant
details.

1.13 Why must counsellors use questions sparingly during counselling? (Your response
should be approximately 20 words)

To assist in clarifying whatever the client has already said so that they may more
appropriately reflect and paraphrase it. They can help the counselor pinpoint a
problem and explain the material that may appear contradictory to the counselor at
first. Clients' journeys of personality might be aided by inquiries that urge them to
consider or recollect facts.

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1.14 Explain what reframing is and the purpose of using such technique in counselling.
(Your response should be approximately 40 words)

Reframing is a technique for assisting you or some other individual in moving on

more productively from a circumstance when you or another person is trapped or
confused. The goal of reframing is to change one's viewpoint so that they are better
able to behave – and ideally learn effectively.

1.15 Counselling skills such as reframing needs to be used with caution. Outline two (2)
considerations that counsellors must take into account in order to use reframing
effectively and appropriately with clients. (Your response should be approximately 50
words)

- Mental health and well-being should be prioritized for the sake of the government
and the public overall.
- Counselors should treat all clients honestly and equitably. Counselors must be
trustworthy in their personal and professional commitments, responsibilities, and
responsibilities.     

1.16 Imagine that you are the counsellor working with the client in question 1.11. Your
client, Joey, is a new parent who wishes to return to work, however, struggles with the
idea of leaving her 12-month-old daughter with day care.

Joey: “So I’ve decided to go back to work soon. But that means putting the baby in
daycare. I haven’t spent any time away from her yet, so leaving her with strangers
seems kind of scary.”

Write an appropriate reframing response to Joey’s statement above to help her

consider a different but helpful interpretation of the situation. Hint: Remember that
reframing is often used alongside other microskills, see examples on page 31 of the
Study Guide. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

We discussed earlier whether or not you will return to work in the last session. It
appears that you've made your decision and will return to work shortly. Putting the
infant in daycare, on the other hand, will be a bit frightening. Is that correct? As
you consider leaving her for the first time, it seems that you are quite terrified.

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 CHCCSL001 Assessment Book Section 1
Assessor’s Comments
To be completed by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors to provide
constructive feedback on your responses to questions in Section 1 of this Assessment
Book.

Competent / Not Yet Competent

Assessor’s Name:
Date:
14
Section 2
COUNSELLOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Counsellor responsibilities
2.1 An example of code of practice that many Australian counsellors refer to is the ACA
Code of Ethics and Practice.
a) What is a code of practice and when might a counsellor refer to this document?
(Your response should be approximately 40 words)

The Code outlines the ethical responsibilities of the ACA team and makes
guidelines to help advisors behave ethically. The Code outlines ethical
concerns that professionals and caseworkers should be aware of. The
fundamental purpose for counselors to adhere to a moral framework is to ensure
the safety and well-being of their clients.

b) What is a possible consequence for a counsellor who fail to adhere to code of

practice? (Your response should be approximately 20 words)

A violation of the code has specific ramifications, but a violation of the law has
different ramifications. If a counselor engages in immoral practices, we may
suspend or terminate their ACA certification; but, if that counselor violates the
law, they may face prison time or a hefty punishment.

Respect client rights

2.2 Respect for human rights is an overarching principle in counselling.
a) Briefly explain the relationship between the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and counselling practice. (Your response should be approximately 40
words)

The relationship between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights relates to

the counseling practice as the Declaration Recognising fundamental human
rights, comprehending the mental health implications of disregarding these
rights, and campaigning promotes the principles underlying bettering our
communities.

b) Describe a counselling process that upholds human rights – what does the client
have a right to expect from such process? (Your response should be approximately
80 words)

Maintain a professional connection while acting in the best interests of their

client(s). In their therapeutic approach, they should retain an acceptable degree
of relevant skills and understanding. Be a qualified professional organization in
excellent shape.Clients have the right to: ethical healthcare, as well as respect
and regard. Unless in life-threatening conditions or events, privacy and secrecy
 are essential while seeking or getting medical treatment. the privacy of your
medical records

2.3 Providing non-discriminative counselling service is both a legal and ethical

requirement.
a) Outline a counsellor’s responsibilities in relation to providing an anti-
discriminatory service, as outlined in the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice. Hint:
See extract on pages 36-37 of the Study Guide. (Your response should be
approximately 100 words)

Counselors listen to their patients, identify with individuals, motivate people,

and help them become more self-reliant. The issues that may be faced vary
depending on the context and may include depression, anxiety, the need to
regulate dangerous emotions and behaviors, or issues dealing with catastrophic
experiences and interactions. Respect for persons, or preventing activities that
cause damage; • beneficence, or working for the welfare of the person and
community by health promotion and well-being; • justice, or respecting
individuals equally and creating fair treatment.

b) How might a counsellor’s personal values and beliefs impede their ability to
provide non-discriminatory service? (Your response should be approximately 30
words)

Whenever a counselor allows his or her individual perceptions to complicate the

rapport with the customer, the patient's independence is harmed. The counselor
may do harm to patient by underselling the client's own beliefs and
principles.     

c) In Australia, there are discrimination laws operating both on a federal and a state
and territory level. What implication does this have on counsellors in relation to
understanding anti-discriminatory requirements and making sure that they are
providing a compliant service? (Your response should be approximately 10
words)

There are a variety of remedies and fines available under the FW Act for
discriminatory practices. For a company, the highest punishment for breaking
the illegal discriminating provisions is $66,600, and for an individuals, the
maximum fine is $13,320.

2.4 Heather is a counsellor working with a client who has sought counselling to help
decide whether to end her marriage. As the client talks about what has been
happening, it becomes apparent that she is engaging in an extra-marital affair. Heather
tells her client that cheating on her husband is wrong and she should stop.
a) Do you think Heather’s actions are compliant with anti-discriminatory
requirements that counsellors are abide by? Explain your reasoning. (Your

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 response should be approximately 50 words)

Healther's actions in my opinion is an action compliant with anti-discriminatory

requirements as she should not directly come up with statement that cheating her
husband is wrong and should stop it because as a counselor she should be talking to her
breaking the statements into several parts so that the client realizes her feelings and
emotions by her own .

b) If you were Heather, what would you have done differently? (Your response
should be approximately 50 words)

If I was Heather, i would have used communication skills that include

paraphrasing and summarizing the events and the client's sentences. I would
observe and ask her for various visits, until she realizes what she is doing wrong
on her own self.

2.5 Another ethical principle that serves to uphold client’s human rights is promoting
client’s autonomy in the counselling process. Based on this principle, describe the role
and responsibilities of counsellor and client when it comes to making decisions in the
counselling process. (Your response should be approximately 60 words)

Ethics support the character and direction of the counselor's acts in counseling.
Ethics, which comprehensive framework of values and guidelines, needs to achieve
influence and guarantee that the therapist acts in the best interests of the client
rather than for personal gain. Counselors' primary responsibility is to their patients.

2.6 Most counselling and community services organisations will require workers to
engage clients in a formal contracting process at the beginning of service process.
a) Explain the importance of contracting in relation to protecting client’s rights.
(Your response should be approximately 50 words)

A counseling contract guarantees that the counseling procedure is conducted in

a safe and rational manner, and it emphasizes the counselor's obligations toward
clients, as well as the client's obligations toward the counselor.

b) Briefly discuss two (2) benefits of having a signed counselling contract to the
counsellor and the counselling service provider. (Your response should be
approximately 40 words)

guarantees that the counseling process is conducted in a secure and responsible way.
underlines the counselor's obligations to clients, as well as the client's obligations to the
counselor.

Client safety and wellbeing

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2.7 Counsellors have a duty of care to protect a client’s wellbeing. Briefly explain what
duty of care entails in this context. (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

In both therapy and personal growth, the practitioner or instructor provides a

qualified duty of care to the client. This entails working to the client's best
advantage and ensuring that any training and/or conversations are done ethically
and thoughtfully.

2.8 Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure requirements are in place to protect the rights
and safety of clients (and others).
a) What right does a client have in relation to the information they provide to a
counsellor? (Your response is approximately 30 words)

Client in terms of the information they provide expects their individual privacy
and anonymity to be maintained and safeguarded to the fullest degree legally
authorized. As authorized by law, you have access to any personal and other
information maintained for the purpose of providing goods, and you can rectify
any inaccurate info.

b) Provide three (3) examples of a counsellor’s responsibilities in protecting client’s

privacy. (Your response should be approximately 60 words)

Not leaving any sensitive information on voicemail or in a text message

Third parties are not informed that a customer has an engagement.

Even without the client's specific agreement, will not discuss the contents of the
treatment with a third party.

c) Describe three (3) circumstances in counselling which might constitute a need for
counsellors to override confidentiality. (Your response should be approximately
50 words)

- Subsequent suicidal thoughts are well planned. Fatal intent manifested in other
ways.

- Violent acts against others that have been planned in advance. Future offspring
abuse is planned.
- Previously abused children. Being a victim of child maltreatment.

2.9 Many counsellors in Australia have a mandatory reporting responsibility.

a) What is mandatory reporting? (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

Whenever the law mandates you to disclose known to be associated allegations

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 of violence and neglect, this is known as legal requirements. It mostly affects
children, although it can also affect adults if they are residents of a group home.

b) “Only counsellors who work directly with children need to comply with
mandatory reporting requirements.”
Is the above statement accurate? Explain your reasoning. (Your response should
be approximately 40 words)

The above statement is not wholely accurate as family members, various

governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in the welfare of
children should also be involved directly with children's needs to comply with
mandatory reporting requirements.This should be done as children are very
sensitive age and only a single person reporting cannot be reliable and accurate.

2.10 Counsellors must set up and maintain clear boundaries in the counselling relationships
with clients.
a) According to the ACA Code of Ethics and Practice, “counselling is a formal and
contracted relationship and nothing else” (pp. 12-13). Explain what this statement
suggests about the boundaries between a client and their counsellor. (Your
response should be approximately 50 words)

Counselors can assist clients in assessing their feelings and exploring solutions
in a timely and effective manner. Counseling is a one-of-a-kind connection –
unlike a relationship, which is a two-way road with giving and take, counseling
is a one-of-a-kind connection. It's just you in the therapy room.

b) How does setting up clear boundaries promote the wellbeing of counsellors and
clients? (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

Clients with healthy boundaries get an adequate amount of information, feel

more comfortable making their own choices, and do not compromise their own
beliefs. Strong limits enable a person to have a strong sense of self-worth,
express themselves, and make sound judgments.

Counsellor competence
2.11 Counsellors have an ethical responsibility to develop and maintain their level of
competence.
a) Outline three (3) strategies a counsellor may implement in order to meet such
responsibility. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

- Select the Correct Course. You must begin with schooling, like with most
occupations.

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 - Work on your language skills. Counseling entails a significant amount of
communication.
- Make an effort to stay organized. Have faith in yourself. Empathy is a virtue.
Possess a wry sense of humor.

b) Counselling can be an emotionally demanding job. Briefly explain how accessing

regular supervision is likely to help a counsellor in looking after their own health
and safety while providing counselling service. (Your response should be
approximately 50 words)

To safeguard their clients and understand further about them, counselors must
pay special attention to their own sentiments. At the same time, the therapist
must remember that the sentiments clients express in a counsellor are probably
to be the same ones they express in their daily encounters with others.

2.12 Counsellors must provide service within the boundaries of their work role.
a) Outline three (3) factors that counsellors may take into consideration in
determining the responsibilities and limitations of their role. (Your response
should be approximately 60 words)

There are no verbal or nonverbal cues. Functioning without verbal and visual
communication may seem weird at first.
Confidentiality and safety are paramount. You'll have to assume responsibility for your
internet privacy.
Problems with technology.

b) What can a counsellor do in an initial counselling session to make sure clients

have appropriate expectations on their work role? (Your response should be
approximately 40 words)

- Select the Correct Course. You must begin with schooling, like with most
occupations.
- Work on your language skills. Counseling entails a significant amount of
communication.
Make an effort to stay organized. Have faith in yourself. Empathy is a virtue. Possess a
wry sense of humor.

2.13 For the following issues, outline the role of a generalist counsellor and when a referral
may be required/appropriate, including to whom a client should be referred to. The
first row has been filled to provide an example of the depth of response you are
expected to provide. (Your total response should be approximately 200 words)

Presenting issues Role of generalist When to refer and to whom

counsellor will you refer?

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Suicide Assess suicide risk and
connect client with
emergency or crisis
support.
(a) Alcohol and Development of a Relapse
other drugs issues Prevention Plan,
Encourage Patient
Recovery and Develop a
Therapeutic Alliance with
Patients.
(b) Domestic and Domestic abuse counselors
family violence are invited to make
instructional seminars to
local organizations that
may come into contact
with victims of domestic
abuse.
(c) Financial Individuals, households,
difficulty and consumer groups may
get knowledge, solutions,
and assistance to help
them explore, create, and
create an action plan to get
out of debt.
(d) Homelessness partner with community
members to link homeless
students and their families
to local resources, wish to
eliminate obstacles to
academic achievement and
develop effective
preventative and
behavioral interventions
for homeless children.
(e) Mental illness Depression, emotion
regulation, suicidal
thoughts, parenthood,
aging, marriage strife,
stress, alcoholism, and
self-image are some of the
concerns that patients
present.
(f) Problem should deal with these
gambling concerns in order to calm
21
If a client is facing imminent
suicide risk, they must be
referred to emergency or crisis
support services.
When the client faces chronic
issues such as mental illness,
depression.
if the client is facing from issues
such as depression, anxiety and
other emotionally drained
feelings they must be referred
immediately.
if the client is facing from issues
such as depression, anxiety and
other emotionally drained
feelings they must be referred
immediately. Also if the
situation gets worst they should
be referred to legal procedures.
if a person is involved in
substance abuse and other
intoxication behavior the case
should be referred.
if it reaches to the stage of
suicidal the case should be
referred.
if it reaches to the level of
extreme intoxication and
 the gambler's mind substance abuse it should be
However, a monetary referred.
counselor's more important
role is to create a new
pattern for the client to
follow, one that will
ensure that any harm is
avoided.

Organisational requirements
2.14 Organisational policies and procedures are in place to help employers and counsellors
to meet a range of legal and ethical requirements.
a) Identify two (2) rights that the counselling organisation (i.e., the employer) has in
relation to staff’s compliance with organisational requirements. (Your response
should be approximately 30 words)

The employees in the counseling organization have the right to think and clarify their
statements with proper communication.
Employees also have the right to release emotional tension, frustration, and stress.

b) Identify two (2) responsibilities that the counselling organisation (i.e., the
employer) has in relation to facilitating staff’s compliance with organisational
requirements. (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

They have the responsibility to properly think about employee satisfaction.

It is also the organization's responsibility to have employee counseling session as well.

2.15 Counselling services usually have strict records management policy and procedures in
place.
a) Which legal and/or ethical requirements is records management policy and
procedures most relevant to?
i. Work health and safety legislation.
ii. Anti-discrimination legislation.
iii. Duty of care.
iv. Privacy and confidentiality.
Your answer: PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

b) Identify three (3) types of information a counsellor might find in records

management policy and procedures. (Your response should be approximately 20

22
 words)

History of important information about the client's health

Client Progress Forms

2.16 Work health and safety (WHS) involves making sure that the counselling process is
conducted in a safe manner, where possible risks are minimised or eliminated. Briefly
discuss the WHS considerations relevant to the following aspects of a counselling
process.
a) The venue where counselling takes place. (Your response should be
approximately 50 words)

The venue firstly should be very welcoming and a comfortable place where a client can
share their emotions and feelings that have been making them trapped and frustrated.
There should be no telephone, no distracting images, and no interruptions from other
staff or family members.

b) The safety of a client during counselling. (Your response should be approximately

50 words)

Safety in counseling should reflect privacy and confidentiality of the client's

feelings and emotions that they are going through which when shared with the
counselor should be made sure that the conversation is not recorded and not
shared with any other staff members or family members.

c) The safety and wellbeing of a counsellor. (Your response should be approximately

50 words)

The safety and well-being of the counselor should be made by doing their
insurance facilities and providing them with all the facilities required as per the
service and skills they provide. Counselors themselves should also be provided
with employee's / employer's counseling services.

23
 CHCCSL001 Assessment Book Section 2
Assessor’s Comments
To be completed by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors to provide
constructive feedback on your responses to questions in Section 2 of this Assessment Book.

Competent / Not Yet Competent

Assessor’s Name:
Date:
25
Section 3
INITIATING THE COUNSELLING PROCESS
An overview of counselling process
3.1 In the Study Guide, you were introduced to a generic structure of the counselling
process.
a) Which of the following statement is NOT correct about the four phases included
in the generic counselling process?
i. Middle phase is the longest among all four phases, and may involve
multiple sessions.
ii. The goal of the ending phase to bring counselling relationship to an end
and to help clients consolidate changes into their daily lives.
iii. Preparatory phase usually involves searching for patterns and themes in
clients’ behaviours and experiences.
iv. An important task o the beginning phase is to gather information about the
client’s conditions and provide information about the counselling process.
Your answer: Middle phase is the longest among all four phases and may involve
multiple sessions

b) However, you also learned that not all counselling process fits this generic
structure strictly. Provide three (3) reasons of why this may be the case. (Your
response should be approximately 80 words)

All counseling process does not fit the generic structure strictly because -
Processes can relate to both what the counselor works with the client and how the
individual changes.
The consequences or impacts of therapy are referred to as counseling outcomes.
The occurrences that occur in the clients as an explicitly or implicitly effect of
counseling.

The first session

3.2 The initial counselling session is usually the first face to face session you have with a
client. Identify three (3) main objectives/aims you should seek to achieve in an initial
counselling session. (Your response should be approximately 60 words)

Relies on the counselor's interaction with the client in the study aims to explore difficulties
that significantly influence individuals.
Emphasizes on the importance of effective listening skills and the development of a
positive connection
It establishes a solid platform for future discussions and therapy sessions.
3.3 For counsellors, the counselling process begins before the client arrives for their first
session. A particular task that may take place during this preparation stage is to
review any existing client documents, such as a referral form.
a) Identify three (3) types of information that a counsellor may retrieve from a
client’s referral form/letter before the commencement of initial session. (Your
response should be approximately 20 words)

A brief information about the client will retrieve from the client's referral form
Address of the client
General physical history of the client to know if it is a chronic situation or not.

b) Should counsellors fully rely on existing client documentation that they have
acquired prior to meeting a client? Explain your reasoning. (Your response should
be approximately 50 words)

A counselor should not fully rely on existing client documentation that they
have acquired prior to meeting a client because it might not give all the relevant
information. Hence counselors should not fully rely on until they find out the
actual information after the first and the middle stage of counseling.

Initiating the session

3.4 An important goal of the initial session is to build rapport with the client. Describe
two (2) communication skills/ techniques a counsellor can use to facilitate rapport
building at the commencement of the first counselling session. (Your response should
be approximately 50 words)

the abilities that allow for the unambiguous exposition of ideas.

efficient two-way communication as a result of active listening.

3.5 Jimmy has been referred to counselling for support regarding a recent marriage
breakdown. You are conducting an initial interview with him. He appears jittery and
gives short, tense responses to your questions. Jimmy is wringing his hands together
and tapping his foot on the floor. He does not make eye contact with you.
a) What are some indicators you observed that suggest Jimmy may be anxious about
attending counselling? (Your response should be approximately 40 words)

The bodily indicators like tapping their foot on the floor and appearing jittery
and giving short tense responses to the questions are some of the indicators that
suggest Jimmy is anxious about thhe counselling and more importantly him not
making eye contact with the counselor is also the main indicators.

27
 b) Explain what you would do to help Jimmy feel more at ease and encourage him to
explore any concerns he may have about counselling. (Your response should be
approximately 50 words)

- Develop a positive relationship. Don't make a hasty decision to pitch your

product.
- Make use of the reflecting method.
- Smile a lot.
- Encourage them to speak up.
- Pay close attention.
- Keep the end result in mind.
End up making use of humor

Contracting
3.6 Contracting is usually carried out in the initial counselling session.
a) Outline the information that should be included in a counselling contract. Hint:
see pages 56-57 of the Study Guide. (Your response should be approximately 100
words)

Venue and location of the session

Duration of the session
A number of important sessions.
Contact details of the counselor
Boundaries outside of the sessions
Appointment frequencies.

MISSED SESSION INFORMATION

What to do when you get sick
Cancellation of the session and refunds
Rescheduling
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Cost of each session
Payment procedure
Refund cost of a session
CONFIDENTIALITY
Record keeping and note taking of information.
Ethical values and considerations such as how personal information will be protected
How much information will be shared with the counselor's supervisor.

28
 b) Why is it important for counsellors to take time going through the details of
counselling contract before getting clients to sign it? (Your response should be
approximately 50 words)

It is important for the counselors to take time going through the details of the
counseling contract before getting clients to sign it because counselors can
better grasp what the clients say if they have a sense of time. - Training to listen
strengthens the connection by allowing the client to recognize that the
counseling is there to assist people and to listen to them rather than telling
people what to do and when to do it.

3.7 Imagine that you are still working with Jimmy in question 3.5. He tells you that he has
recently separated from his wife and things have been very stressful. Whilst you want
to learn more about Jimmy’s concerns, you also want to make sure he has sufficient
understanding of the process and provided informed consent before proceeding.
a) Write down what you would say to introduce the contracting process while
acknowledging his immediate concerns. (Your response should be approximately
80 words)

Firstly, brief instruction and information about what a contract is and why
should it be done before the counseling process will be briefed Jimmy. For
example- This might be a monetary payout, amassing hours for training or
certification, or just the fact that being in a working setting and assisting others
is something that the clinician values. Although this does not have to be
expressed expressly in the contract, both partners must be content with the
arrangements. All the contract information will be read out to Jimmy and then
only ask her to fill the contract.

b) Part of the contracting process involves explaining the following information to

Jimmy:

This is a confidential process. However, there are a few circumstances in which

I may be required to break confidentiality:
 If I consider you to be at risk of seriously harming yourself or someone
else
 If your counselling records have been requested by a court of law
 If another party or agency has requested your information, and you
have agreed and provided your written consent to this.

Write down what you would you say to Jimmy in order to explain information
above so that Jimmy understands the confidential nature of counselling and when

29
 confidentiality may be overridden. Note: You should aim to explain the
information in a clear and conversational manner, such as explaining what
‘confidentiality’ means and providing appropriate examples to facilitate client
understanding. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

Jimmy- Hey, counselor nobody here has really told me what confidentiality means.
Can you help?
Thomas ( counselor) - That's a very good question.

So, jimmy's confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of counseling. This
means that, in most cases, nobody outside the Counseling Center is released any
evidence — including the fact that you've been here — absent your explicit permission.

c) Imagine that Jimmy becomes slightly nervous and say he doesn’t want the things
he says about his ex-wife to get back to her. Write down what you would say to
Jimmy in order to address his concerns and provide clarification on the disclosure
requirements. (Your response should be approximately 60 words)

The answer would be about the confidentiality policy that he has signed in the
contract that mentions that the conversation will be kept private and won't be
spoken about it to anyone also only the important ones will be recorded and
only the most important ones will be shared with the supervisor as mentioned in
the contract will be told to Jenny.

Exploring client concerns

3.8 An important objective of the initial session is to facilitate exploration and
understanding of clients’ concerns. Identify two (2) skills or techniques, and explain
how you might use them to achieve this objective. Hint: You have learned about a
range of skills and techniques on pages 22-32 of the Study Guide. (Your total
response should be approximately 70 words)

Skill/technique How might you use this technique to facilitate exploration

and understanding of clients’ concerns?

(a) Active Active listening might be used with proper body language to
listening facilitate exploration and understanding of the client's
concerns. The strength of emotions diminishes like a blister
every time the counselor properly identifies it.

(b) Note taking Note taking can be used to note down the important points
when client shares their emotions and feelings.

3.9 As counsellors gain understanding of their clients’ circumstances, they must also be
vigilant about identifying indicators of client issues that may require referral or
reporting.
a) Discuss two (2) ethical principles that underpin a counsellor’s responsibility to

30
 assess for potential needs to refer clients to other services or report particular
issues. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

Autonomy - The client's right is respected to be self-governing. Respect for identity

and self is addressed. Furthermore, an atmosphere that promotes autonomy is free of
manipulations or compulsion to shift in a specific way.
Non-maleficence- A contract and commitment to the client that avoids harm to the
client. The nonmaleficence principle is based on not harming everyone else and
eliminating behaviors that might hurt them. Doing good, encouraging, and adding to
the client's wellbeing, is the moral position of nonmaleficence.

b) Imagine that you are working for a local counselling centre and your organisation
requires workers to document detailed case notes of client issues, counselling
plans, and referral actions. You have just been assigned your first client, Michael.
He is a 25-year-old man who is homeless and in severe financial hardship. Your
organisation does not offer services to address homelessness or crisis support.
What would be an appropriate action for you to take? Hint: You should take into
account your legal, ethical, and organisational responsibilities as discussed in
Section 2 of the Study Guide. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

In the above case, appropriate action would be referring the case to any
organization or legal place so that they could look into further investigation and
provide some shelter and help to the man in terms of shelter and crisis support.

c) Imagine that you are working as a counsellor. All counsellors working in your
organisation are considered mandatory reporters and are required to document any
safety or risk issues of clients. One of your clients, Jacinta, has sought counselling
to discuss about relationship difficulties with her partner, Malik. During the
session, Jacinta describes an abusive relationship with her husband which includes
both physical and verbal abuse, some of which involves their 3-year-old son.
What would be an appropriate action for you to take? Hint: You should take into
account your legal, ethical, and organisational responsibilities as discussed in
Section 2 of the Study Guide. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

For this case, my response as a counselor would be to examine any suspicions

of abuse with the client respectfully, regardless of whether or not disclosure is
required by law, and refer patients to relevant community programs. In
accordance with existing regulations, report the matter of violent attacks or
abuse.

Facilitating case planning

3.10 Clients may present at counselling with a range of presenting issues and priorities.
Explain why it is important for counsellors to work in ‘collaboration’ with clients
when identifying priorities and goals for counselling. (Your response should be
approximately 30 words)

31
 Collaborative treatment has been shown to enhance an individual's self, coping
mechanisms, trigger recognition, and decision-making ability. It helps in
recognizing and using the aspects of an emerging interdisciplinary will reduce the
possibility of our customers' cases ending abruptly and enhance the probability of a
favorable conclusion.

Developing a counselling plan

3.11 A counselling plan is usually generated at the end of a first counselling session.
a) What is a counselling plan? (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

A document that is created in collaboration with a client is a counseling plan.

This contains the most important details like the history of the client, issues that
are related to the client, strategies, recommendations objectives, and goals that
will be used in the client's progress.

b) Discuss three (3) purposes of a counselling plan. (Your response should be

approximately 60 words)

it helps in keeping all the information organized and also

provides the objectives and goals of the treatment to the client.

3.12 Imagine that you are working for a local counselling centre. Your manager has asked
you to create a tip sheet for new counsellors about what information they should
record in a counselling plan. Complete the following table by describing the type of
information a counsellor may include under each of these headings in a counselling
plan. The first row has been filled to provide an example of response. (Each of your
responses should be approximately 30 words)

Headings in a counselling Description of information to include

plan

Client information Any identification of the individual client, such as

the client’s name, date of birth, and contact details.

a) Safety or risk issues      

b) Special needs information      

c) Other agencies or helping      

professionals involved

d) Self-identified needs,      

concerns and goals of the
client.

e) Goals of counselling      

32
 f) Counsellor’s observation      
of clients

g) Evaluation strategies      

Integrating your knowledge

The following questions require you to draw upon all of the knowledge and skills you have
learned throughout Section 1, 2, and 3 of your Study Guide.
3.13 Imagine that you are a counsellor and you will be meeting with a new client, Ricky.
Below is the background information about Ricky:

Ricky is a 23-year-old young man whose father died of a heart attack when he was
18 years old just as he was finishing his high school exams. Ricky’s mother had
always been very dependent on her husband, and found adapting to life after his
death challenging. As a result, Ricky became the ‘man of the house’, taking care of
all of the bills and some of the parenting decisions related to his two younger
siblings. He had been accepted on a veterinary science course prior to his father’s
death but deferred this and instead works as a manager in a fast food restaurant to
help support the family. Ricky’s old school friends are building careers, developing
relationships and going out on weekends while he has many family and financial
commitments which get in the way of this. He would like to move in with a friend
but when he suggested this, his mother became distressed and told him she
wouldn’t be able to cope without him. Ricky hopes that counselling will help him
decide what to do.

Ricky has referred himself (i.e., there is no referral information). No special needs or
safety issues have been identified.
a) Ricky appears to be nervous and unease. You think that he might be anxious about
attending counselling. What could you say to Ricky in order to identify and
explore his anxieties about the counselling process? (Your response should be
approximately 20 words)

     

b) Ricky tells you that he has never had any counselling before so he is not sure what
to expect. Ricky agrees that it will be helpful for him to understand more about
what counselling process involves, particularly he is wondering if you will be able
to tell him what’s the best decision to make in his situation. Write down what you
would say to Ricky to explain the person-centred nature of the process and your
role as the counsellor in this regard. In your response, you should also clarify with
Ricky whether he is agreeable to such counselling approach. (Your response
should be approximately 100 words)

     

33
 c) Now, you want to find out more about Ricky’s concerns and what he might want
to discuss in counselling. Write down an open question you could ask Ricky in
order to invite him to share about his most pressing concerns. (Your response
should be approximately 15 words)

     

d) Ricky goes on to tell you about his reasons for seeking counselling. Describe how
you would use body language to show Ricky that you are interested and open to
what he is telling you. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

     

e) Ricky tells you about his dilemma about moving out and his relationship with
mother (see background information at the beginning of this question). Explain
how you might go about helping Ricky identify priorities and goals to work on in
counselling sessions. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

     

f) After some discussions, Ricky decides that his priority is to reduce the number of
family commitments he currently has. His goals are outlined below. You also
wrote on your case note that “Ricky mentioned about being accepted into a
veterinary science course” which is something you may want to follow up in the
future sessions.

1. Sit down with his mother and tell her how he is feeling.
2. Work together towards a more equitable sharing of commitments
starting with paying bills.
3. Begin arrangements to move in with a friend in 3 months.

Complete the following counselling plan for Ricky according to the information
given in the introduction and his expressed goals above. You may make up
information that is missing. Write your plan in appropriate spaces below.

Counselling Plan
My Counselling Service
Client name:
     
Involvement of other agencies/referral information:
     
Safety/risk issues:

34
      
Special needs information:
     
Client’s own identified priorities:
     
Observed client requirements:
     
Goals:
     
Monitoring:
     
Counsellor signature: Date:
           

3.14 Imagine that you are a counsellor and you are meeting a new client, Karen. Before
Karen arrives, you review her file and the following referral letter.

Patient Details: Karen Black

Address: 21 Ringwood Drive
Fernvale, NSW 5624
Date of Birth: 23/11/1975

21st March 2015

Dear Counsellor

I am referring Karen Black for counselling sessions to address stress she is

experiencing due to alleged bullying at work. She is experiencing symptoms of loss
of appetite, tearfulness, insomnia and irritability. She reports no previous history of
anxiety or depression.

Your sincerely,
Dr Abraham Sellers

a) What information have you learned about Karen based on the referral letter
above? (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

     

35
b) Imagine that Karen has now arrived for her appointment. Once Karen is seated in
the counselling room, she immediately begins to tell you about what happened in
her workplace and how those events are causing a lot of stress to her. Write down
what you could say to Karen, in order to respectfully acknowledge her concerns
and guide her into the contracting conversation. (Your response should be
approximately 80 words)

     

c) Imagine that Karen has signed the counselling contract, and you invited her to tell
you more about her concerns at work. Karen says, “I just feel like I can’t cope
anymore. Work has got so bad that sometimes I just want to give it up….”
Write down what you could say in order to paraphrase what Karen has said. (Your
response should be approximately 10 words)

     

d) Karen replies, “It’s this new supervisor at work. She’s constantly criticising me
and making horrible comments. The other day she made fun of a suggestion I
made to improve the catering system - in front of everyone too.”
Write down what you could say to reflect on Karen’s feelings. (Your response
should be approximately 5 words)

     

e) Karen says, “I’m the assistant to the service improvement manager at this
company that produces pre-cooked weight loss meals. I’ve been there ages now
and never had any issues with anyone but since this supervisor started 3 months
ago, it’s been hell. I dread going to work every morning – I can’t eat at all I feel so
sick. I can’t sleep…It’s just that I feel so bad all the time…. also I just burst into
tears at the drop of a hat … [Karen starts crying]. Look at me - I’m a mess… I
can’t even handle the kids anymore. I overheard my eldest tell his brother that he
had to be good boy all the time now because mum is sad which breaks my heart. I
hate what this is doing to my family”
Write down what you could say to summarise Karen’s concerns based on what
she has told you so far. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

     

f) Karen decides that she needs to address what is happening at work first. Her broad
goal is to reduce her stress at work. Outline the steps you would take to work
collaboratively with Karen in order to explore possible options for achieving her

36
 goals through counselling. (Your response should be approximately 70 words)

     

g) Karen thinks that it might be useful for her to improve on her communication
skills so she could be more assertive in responding to her supervisor’s comments.
Karen also agrees with your suggestion that she may benefit from learning some
relaxation techniques she could implement at work whenever she feels stressed.
Write down what you would say to Karen to summarise the options discussed and
confirm that these will be the focus of her next counselling session. (Your
response should be approximately 60 words)

     

h) Using the information you have gathered from Karen’s initial session through
previous questions, complete the following counselling plan. You also made an
observational note to follow up on Karen’s reported difficulty in sleeping and
eating in the next session, and that Karen has agreed to evaluating the counselling
progress at the end of third session.

COUNSELLING PLAN
My Counselling Service
Client name:
     

Involvement of other agencies/referral information:

     

Special needs information:

     

Safety/reporting issues:
     

Recording of client’s own identified priorities

     

Observed client requirements

     

Goals
     

37
Monitoring which will include:
     

Counsellor signature:       Date: 16/6/202x

38
 CHCCSL001 Assessment Book Section 3
Assessor’s Comments
To be completed by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors to provide
constructive feedback on your responses to questions in Section 3 of this Assessment
Book.

Competent / Not Yet Competent

Assessor’s Name:
Date:

39
 Assessor's Comments - Overall
To be completed by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors to provide
constructive feedback on the assessment of this Assessment Book.

Competent / Not Yet Competent

Signature of Assessor: Date:

40
 FIRST RESUBMISSION
The following Entry Box is for students to complete any activities that
require resubmission

Important Note: In order to assist the marker in reassessing your work, please make clear
make sure you have clearly identified the question number for each question you have to
re-submit.

Complete resubmission activities here

    

41
 Assessor's Comments – First Resubmission
To be completed by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors to provide
constructive feedback on the first resubmission of this Assessment Book.

Competent / Not Yet Competent

Signature of Assessor: Date:

42
 SECOND RESUBMISSION
The following Entry Box is for students to complete any activities that
require resubmission

Important Note: In order to assist the marker in reassessing your work, make sure you
have clearly identified the question number for each question you have to re-submit.

Complete second resubmission activities here

    
 Assessor's Comments – Second Resubmission
To be completed by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors to provide
constructive feedback on the resubmission of this Assessment Book.

Competent / Not Yet Competent

Signature of Assessor: Date:

44