Counselling (DCD Abu Dhabi) Prometric exam questions with answers

1. Question 1Professional Knowledgeeasy

   Which set of therapist conditions did Carl Rogers describe as necessary and sufficient for therapeutic personality change?

   1. AInterpretation, neutrality and therapeutic abstinence
   2. BEmpathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence
   3. CConfrontation, homework and structured psychoeducation
   4. DReassurance, advice-giving and directive goal setting
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence

   Rogers proposed that a counsellor who is empathic, accepting without conditions and genuine creates a climate in which clients can grow. The other sets describe elements of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural or directive approaches that he did not consider essential.

2. Question 2Professional Knowledgemedium

   A man says, "I know my drinking is a problem and I should cut down, but part of me really enjoys it and I am not ready to commit." Which stage of change does he best represent?

   1. APrecontemplation
   2. BContemplation
   3. CPreparation
   4. DAction
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. Contemplation

   Contemplation is characterised by recognising the problem while remaining ambivalent about change. In precontemplation the person does not see a problem, preparation involves small steps and a plan, and action involves visible behaviour change.

3. Question 3Professional Knowledgehard

   Parents in constant conflict repeatedly draw their 14-year-old daughter into taking sides, which temporarily calms the couple. Which Bowen family systems concept does this best describe?

   1. AEmotional cutoff
   2. BFamily projection process
   3. CDifferentiation of self
   4. DTriangulation
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Triangulation

   Triangulation occurs when a third person is pulled into a two-person tension to reduce anxiety, which stabilises the dyad at the cost of the third person. Family projection process concerns transmitting a parent's anxiety onto a child, emotional cutoff is distancing from the family of origin, and differentiation is the capacity to stay self-directed under emotional pressure.

4. Question 4Interpersonal Skillseasy

   A young woman says, "My family expects me to marry soon and I just feel stuck between what they want and what I want." Which response is the best reflection of feeling?

   1. AYou feel torn between your loyalty to your family and your own wishes.
   2. BWhy do you not simply tell them honestly how you really feel about all of this?
   3. CMany young people go through this kind of pressure from their families at your age.
   4. DIt may be wise to follow what your family believes is the best path for you.
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. You feel torn between your loyalty to your family and your own wishes.

   A reflection of feeling names the emotion and the conflict behind the statement, which shows understanding and invites further exploration. Questioning, normalising or advising shifts the focus away from the client's experience.

5. Question 5Interpersonal Skillsmedium

   After describing the death of her father, a client falls silent for nearly a minute and looks at the floor. What should the counsellor do?

   1. AAsk a new question to move the session on
   2. BOffer a gentle comment that time heals grief
   3. CStay quietly attentive and give her time
   4. DSummarise what she said to fill the pause
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Stay quietly attentive and give her time

   Silence after emotional disclosure is often productive, and respectful, attentive waiting lets the client reflect and decide what to say next. Rushing to fill it can interrupt the process and signal discomfort on the counsellor's part.

6. Question 6Interpersonal Skillshard

   An Arabic-speaking mother attends a counselling session about her son. The counsellor does not speak Arabic, and the 12-year-old son offers to translate. What is the best course of action?

   1. AAccept the son's help because he knows the family situation best of all
   2. BAsk a male relative waiting outside to interpret for the whole session
   3. CProceed in English and use gestures and simple drawings to clarify the main points
   4. DArrange a trained interpreter and explain confidentiality to all present
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: D. Arrange a trained interpreter and explain confidentiality to all present

   A trained interpreter protects accuracy, confidentiality and the child, who should not be put in the position of relaying adult concerns about himself. Informal interpreters distort content and inhibit disclosure, and continuing without language support undermines informed participation.

7. Question 7Professional Ethics and Legalityeasy

   Which information must a counsellor give a new client as part of informed consent at the start of counselling?

   1. AThe diagnoses of other clients who have presented with similar problems
   2. BThe limits of confidentiality, the counsellor's qualifications and fees
   3. CThe counsellor's personal views about the religion the client practises
   4. DA guarantee about the number of sessions that will be needed
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: B. The limits of confidentiality, the counsellor's qualifications and fees

   Informed consent covers the nature of counselling, fees, qualifications and the situations in which confidentiality must be broken, so the client can choose to proceed. Information about other clients is protected, and personal opinions or guarantees of outcome are not part of consent.

8. Question 8Professional Ethics and Legalitymedium

   A client invites her counsellor to her daughter's wedding in the expatriate community where they both live. What is the most appropriate response?

   1. AAccept at once because attending family celebrations is culturally expected of her
   2. BIgnore the invitation and avoid discussing it at all with the client herself
   3. CDiscuss it, weigh benefit against risk and consult a supervisor before replying
   4. DAttend but tell the client that the event is not to be mentioned in sessions
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: C. Discuss it, weigh benefit against risk and consult a supervisor before replying

   Boundary extensions are permitted only when they are likely to benefit the client and cannot be avoided, and the counsellor should discuss the rationale, document it and seek consultation. Accepting automatically or avoiding the topic both ignore the therapeutic meaning of the invitation.

9. Question 9Professional Ethics and Legalitymedium

   A counsellor suspects that a 9-year-old client in the UAE is being physically abused at home. What does the child protection framework expect the counsellor to do?

   1. AReport to the child protection authorities without waiting for parental consent
   2. BWait for definite proof of abuse before involving any outside authority at all
   3. CDiscuss the suspicion only with the parents and then monitor the child's progress
   4. DRecord the concern in the file and review the situation again in six months
   Show answer and explanation▾

   Answer: A. Report to the child protection authorities without waiting for parental consent

   The UAE child rights law known as Wadeema's Law places a duty on professionals to report suspected abuse or neglect, and consent from the parent is not required. Proof is not a precondition, and informing the possibly abusive parents alone could endanger the child.

10. Question 10Professional Ethics and Legalityhard

    Two weeks ago a counsellor mis-scored an assessment and the school was told that a student did not need learning support. She has just noticed the error. What should she do?

    1. AInform the school promptly, correct the record and document the error and steps taken
    2. BWait to see whether the student's classroom performance changes before telling anyone
    3. CQuietly correct the file but not mention the earlier recommendation to the school
    4. DAsk the student to repeat the whole test without explaining the reason why
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Inform the school promptly, correct the record and document the error and steps taken

    Counsellors are responsible for the accuracy of their assessments and must act promptly to correct harmful errors and be transparent with those relying on them. Concealment or delay prolongs the risk to the student and breaches honesty obligations.

11. Question 11Professional Assessmenteasy

    Which of the following is a brief, widely used self-report screening questionnaire for depressive symptoms?

    1. ARorschach Inkblot Test (inkblot method)
    2. BThematic Apperception Test (TAT)
    3. CPatient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
    4. DWechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

    The PHQ-9 is a nine-item scale mapped to depressive symptoms that is used for screening and tracking severity. The other instruments are projective or cognitive measures and are not depression screens.

12. Question 12Professional Assessmentmedium

    Four months after her husband died, a woman misses him intensely and cries daily but still works, cares for her children and attends the mosque. Which formulation is most appropriate?

    1. AMajor depressive disorder requiring urgent medication
    2. BExpected bereavement; offer support and monitor
    3. CProlonged grief disorder with severe functional loss
    4. DAdjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: B. Expected bereavement; offer support and monitor

    Intense sorrow with preserved functioning in the early months after a death falls within normal grief, and DSM-5-TR requires at least 12 months before prolonged grief disorder in adults. Support and monitoring are proportionate, with escalation if function declines.

13. Question 13Professional Assessmenthard

    Two weeks after a serious road accident, a man has intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance of driving and marked irritability that interfere with work. Which diagnosis best fits?

    1. APosttraumatic stress disorder
    2. BAdjustment disorder
    3. CGeneralised anxiety disorder
    4. DAcute stress disorder
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: D. Acute stress disorder

    Acute stress disorder requires trauma-related symptoms lasting from three days to one month, whereas posttraumatic stress disorder requires more than one month. Adjustment disorder applies to stressors without a criterion trauma pattern, and generalised anxiety disorder requires six months of diffuse worry.

14. Question 14Cultural Diversitymedium

    An Emirati woman asks whether her mother may attend the session and wants her family's religious views considered when planning goals. What is the best counselling response?

    1. AExplain that respect for individual autonomy means she must attend sessions alone
    2. BLet her mother decide how the sessions should be conducted from now on
    3. CExplore her own wishes and integrate her family's values where appropriate
    4. DSuggest that religious values fall outside the proper scope of counselling work
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: C. Explore her own wishes and integrate her family's values where appropriate

    Culturally responsive practice respects the client's collectivist context while keeping the client's own choice central, which strengthens alliance and relevance of goals. Imposing individualism, deferring entirely to the mother or excluding faith values all fail to honour the client.

15. Question 15Fitness to Practiceeasy

    After many months with trauma survivors, a counsellor has nightmares about clients' stories and feels emotionally numb. What is the best response?

    1. ARecognise vicarious trauma; use supervision, self-care and personal counselling
    2. BTake on more trauma clients in order to rebuild a sense of mastery over time
    3. CHide the symptoms from others to protect the agency's reputation and standing
    4. DWait quietly until the symptoms resolve on their own without any support
    Show answer and explanation▾

    Answer: A. Recognise vicarious trauma; use supervision, self-care and personal counselling

    Vicarious trauma is an occupational risk that calls for early use of supervision, self-care and support, and for monitoring whether client care is affected. Ignoring or concealing symptoms increases the likelihood of impairment.

Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.