MCFTL-004

Counselling and Family

Indira Gandhi National Open University Therapy: Applied Aspects
National Centre for Disability Studies

MANUAL FOR SUPERVISED

PRACTICUM
Introduction 5

PART - I : Orientational Practical

Practical 1 Resolving the Hypothetical Case Records 13

PART - II : Family Interviews

Tool: Family Interview Schedule to be Used 29
Practicals 2 to 6: 31
Practical 2 Family Interview of an Unmarried Adult
Practical 3 Family Interview of an Elderly Individual
Practical 4 Family Interview of a Childless Couple
Practical 5 Family Interview of a Couple with a Child upto
6 Years of Age
Practical 6 Family Interview of an Adolescent’s Parents

Appendices i-viii
EXPERT COMMITTEE
Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai (Chairperson)
Vice Chancellor
IGNOU, New Delhi
Prof. Reeta Sonawat Prof. Mathew Verghese Prof. Girishwar Misra
Dean & Head, Department of Head, Family Psychiatry Centre Department of Psychology
Human Development, SNDT NIMHANS, Bangalore University of Delhi, New Delhi
Women’s University, Mumbai

Prof. Shagufa Kapadia Prof. Manju Mehta Prof. Ahalya Raghuram

Head, Department of Human Department of Psychiatry Department of Mental Health
Development and Family Studies AIIMS, New Delhi and Social Psychology,
The M.S. University of Baroda NIMHANS, Bangalore
Vadodara

Dr. Rajesh Sagar Prof. Rajni Dhingra Prof. T.B. Singh

Associate Professor, Head, Department of Human Head, Department of Clinical
Deptt. of Psychiatry, AIIMS & Development Psychology, IHBAS, New Delhi
Secretary, Central Mental Health Jammu University, Jammu
Authority of India, Delhi

Prof. Anisha Shah Prof. Sudha Chikkara Prof. Aruna Broota

Department of Mental Health and Department of Human Department of Psychology
Social Psychology, NIMHANS, Development and Family Studies University of Delhi
Bangalore CCS HAU, Hisar New Delhi

Prof. Minhotti Phukan Mrs. Vandana Thapar Dr. Indu Kaura

Head, Deptt. of HDFS Deputy Director (Child Secretary, Indian Association for
Assam Agricultural University Development), NIPCCD Family Therapy, New Delhi
Assam New Delhi

Dr. Jayanti Dutta Ms. Reena Nath Dr. Rekha Sharma Sen
Associate Professor of HDCS, Practising Family Therapist Associate Professor
Lady Irwin College, New Delhi New Delhi (Child Development), SOCE
IGNOU, New Delhi
Prof. Vibha Joshi Prof. C.R.K. Murthy Mr. Sangmeshwar Rao
Director, School of Education STRIDE Producer, EMPC, IGNOU
IGNOU, New Delhi IGNOU, New Delhi New Delhi

Prof. Neerja Chadha Dr. Amiteshwar Ratra

(Programme Coordinator) (Convenor & Programme
Professor of Child Development Coordinator)
School of Continuing Education Research Officer, NCDS
IGNOU, New Delhi IGNOU, New Delhi
Acknowledgment:
We acknowledge our thanks to Prof. Omprakash Mishra, Former PVC, IGNOU; Prof. C.G. Naidu, Former Director (I/c)
P&DD and Head, Nodal Unit; Dr. Hemlata, Former Director (I/c) NCDS; and Dr. Arun Banik, Director, NCDS, for facilitating
the development of the programme of study.

PROGRAMME COORDINATORS – M.Sc. (CFT) / PGDCFT

Dr. Amiteshwar Ratra Prof. Neerja Chadha
Research Officer Professor of Child Development
NCDS, IGNOU, New Delhi SOCE, IGNOU, New Delhi
 COURSE COORDINATORS
Dr. Amiteshwar Ratra Prof. Neerja Chadha
Research Officer Professor of Child Development
NCDS, IGNOU, New Delhi SOCE, IGNOU, New Delhi

COURSE WRITERS
Practical 1 Ms. Swati Joshi, Programme Officer, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara

Research Tool & Dr. Amiteshwar Ratra, Research Officer, NCDS, IGNOU, New Delhi
Practicals 2 to 6 &
Dr. Navita Abrol, Consultant, NCDS, IGNOU, New Delhi

BLOCK EDITORS
Prof. Reeta Sonawat Prof. Neerja Chadha
Dean & Head Professor of Child Development
Department of Human Development SOCE, IGNOU, New Delhi
SNDT Women’s University
Mumbai
Dr. Amiteshwar Ratra
Research Officer
NCDS, IGNOU, New Delhi

Acknowledgment:
We express our thanks to all those who provided us their photo images to be used on the cover page.

Febuary, 2011
 Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2011
ISBN:
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means,
without permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.
Further information on Indira Gandhi National Open University courses may be obtained from the University’s
office at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi- 110 068 or the official website of IGNOU at www.ignou.ac.in.
Printed and published on behalf of Indira Gandhi National Open University by Registrar, MPDD.
Laser Composed by: Rajshree Computers, V-166A, Bhagwati Vihar, (Near Sector-2, Dwarka),
Uttam Nagar, New Delhi-110059
Printed by:
Manual for Supervised Dear Learner,
Practicum
The course ‘Counselling and Family Therapy: Applied Aspects’ has 4 Credits of
theory (MCFT-004) and 2 Credits of Supervised Practicum (MCFTL-004). The
2 credits of Supervised Practicum are divided into 6 Practicals, which you should
complete along with your theory course in the specific period of time. This
Supervised Practicum (MCFTL-004) helps you to understand better the applied
concepts which are to be used during actual therapy sessions.
These practicals emerge out of the theory syllabus. The practical activities will
help you to get hands-on experience of working with individuals and families in
different settings.
Here, we would like you to understand that in Supervised Practicum, you have
to work under the overall supervision of the Academic Counsellor, generally
called Counsellor in this Block. Further, before starting the practical activities, it
is very important for you to read this Manual for Supervised Practicum carefully.
Go through the essential concepts, procedure, tools, and illustrations provided in
this Manual in order to understand what has to be done.

With best wishes,

Programme Coordinators
IGNOU

4
 Analysing Different
INTRODUCTION Forms of Family

The focus of this Supervised Practicum (MCFTL-004) is on family and

individual interviewing. As a counsellor and family therapist, you would be
trying to help individuals in different stages of the human life span — right
from young children through old age. Family interviewing of the person forms
the very basis of the counselling and family therapy interventions. Thus in this
Supervised Practicum, you are being provided with indepth exposure and
opportunities with individuals (both males and females) at different stages in
life, so that you develop the requisite skills in this critical aspect.
You have to complete the Supervised Practicum (MCFTL-004) in 15 working
sessions. This Supervised Practicum, worth 2 credits, is divided into 6
practicals. The first practical is an orientational practical exercise involving
an exposure to resolving the hypothetical situations from the perspective of
counselling and family therapy. It is outlined in Part-I of this Supervised
Practicum Manual The subsequent 5 practicals, listed in Part-II of this Manual
for Supervised Practicum are more intense in nature, providing you with the
indepth experience of ‘‘family interviewing’’. In the beginning of Part-II
of this Maunal, the research tool has been provided for use in
Practicals 2 to 6. The tool has to be modified as per the requirement
of the practical and the characteristics of the respondent(s).
The practicals to be performed have been denoted in this Manual as Practical
1, Practical 2 and so on. Each of your 15 working sessions for doing the
supervised practicum of this course should take 4 hours of a day, in which
you should spend about 1 hour with the counsellor at the Programme Study
Centre/Study Centre to which you are attached and about 3 hours in
fieldwork carrying out the prescribed practicals, that is conducting interviews
and report writing. This Supervised Practicum is equivalent to 2 credits and
thus has the workload of 2 Blocks (which may be thought of as Blocks 5
and 6).
Suggested Schedule
It is advised that you should start the Supervised Practicum as soon as you
go through the theory component of this course. Before starting the practical
activities, therefore, you should devote your time to:
(i) Reading and understanding the related Units.
(ii) Attending the counselling sessions which will be organised by the
respective Programme Study Centre/Study Centre, you are attached
with.
As you have to complete six Courses of the programme of study Master of
Science in Counselling and Family Therapy [M.Sc.(CFT)] in the first year,
or the Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy (PGDCFT),
hence, it is advisable to complete the practical activities as per the scheduled
time. You are suggested to do the practicals in a series, that is, to complete
one Practicum first and then move to the next one. Please follow the sequence
of the practical activities given in the Manual, as these are sequenced
according to understanding and difficulty levels.

5
Manual for Supervised Duration of Supervised Practicum MCFTL-004
Practicum
The Supervised Practicum comprises 6 practicals, the details of which are
given in this Manual. You have to complete these practical exercises in a
total of 15 working days which include 15 compulsory contact classes
(sessions) with the Counsellor, each of 1 hour duration. As stated earlier,
you must spend the remaining 3 hours of each of the 15 working sessions
for carrying out field work pertaining to the 6 practicals prescribed in this
Manual. A few extra working sessions have been kept to allow for the fact
that you may need some extra time and sessions in taking the family interview
in some cases. The tasks of conducting the activity; that is taking interviews
and report writing, are included in this time assigned for field work.
If the Supervised Practicum takes more time than this scheduled duration,
then you can rearrange your work accordingly, but only after discussing it
with the Supervisor/Academic Counsellor you are attached with at the
Programme Study Centre/Study Centre.
Content Layout in the Practicum Manual
This Manual for Supervised Practicum (MCFTL-004) consists of 6 practicals
which you are required to carry out.
The Orientational Practical; that is ‘Practical 1’ given in the beginning in
Part-I is regarding resolving the hypothetical case records. In this Practical,
the first part prepares the base, the second part comprises the case vignettes
that you need to analyse, and the third part gives an illustration of how this
analysis may be done.
After this orientational activity, we come to the mainstay of the practical
work for this course; that is, family interviewing. Part-II of the Manual
outlines the family inteviews that you need to conduct with a diverse range
of individuals. In Part II of the Manual, initially the research tool is given
which has to be used in Practicals from 2 to 6, and then details regarding
these Practicals are given.
You have to complete all 6 practicals for submitting the Practicum File.
Please do not copy the illustration as you will be asked to resubmit the
Practicum File and this will lead to delay in award of the Degree/Diploma.
Also, do not copy from your peers/friends, as both would have to repeat
the whole practicum again.
Role of the Counsellor in Supervised Practicum
- The Counsellor is a qualified professional in the field, allotted by the
Programme Study Centre/Study Centre to which you are attached. The
Counsellor will supervise and guide for the Practicum Activities, during
the academic year.
- You have to spend 1 hour of each of your 15 working sessions with
the Supervisor/Counsellor, in which she or he will guide you on the
method in which the Practicum Activity has to be performed, as well
as the analysis of the same. Besides this, you can seek the help of the
Counsellor at any time during the sessions.
6
- The Counsellor may or may not be associated with the individuals or Analysing Different
families you identify for the practicum activity, but she or he can help Forms of Family
you in identifying the same.
- To conduct practicum activities, you have to meet the Counsellor first,
discuss the practical you are going to conduct as well as the tool (the
adapted interview schedule) that you are going to use for the purpose,
take her or his advice and then visit your respondents [the person(s)
to be interviewed by you]. Here, in this programme of study, the
respondent is also called ‘participant’ and at times ‘subject’ or ‘client’.
It is advisable to report to your Counsellor after you complete each
practicum, and discuss what had transpired in the course of conducting
the practical.
- After completing each practical, you need to write each and every
detail in your report. The guidelines regarding report writing are given
in this Manual. The sample illustrations given in the Manual will also
give you an idea about presenting the report. If you have any problem
or query regarding report writing, then contact your Counsellor for the
same.
- Apart from guiding and supervising, the Counsellor will also evaluate
your work. Thus, the Counsellor will evaluate and mark each Practical.
The evaluation sheet to be used is given at the end of this Manual.
Important Guidelines for Working with Individuals and Families in
Different Settings
- Identify the family/individual for each practical carefully, as per the
instructions given for each practical.
- Inform the Counsellor about the selected individual/family. Take the
Counsellor’s advice on the adapted interview schedule you have
prepared for that specific practical/interview.
- Seek the consent from the family/participant before conducting the
practicum activity. For each practical, separate consent needs to be
taken. The consent form is enclosed at the end of this Manual.
- The time schedule for conducting the practicum activity should be planned
according to the convenience of the family or the individual with whom
the practical activity is to be carried out.
- Be punctual for your appointment; and if there is any change in time or
day inform the concerned family or individual.
- Try to fix the time and day, when other significant members of the
family are also present, so that you can get information from other
members in addition to your respondent.
- Before conducting any practicum, you should have thorough knowledge
of its theoretical component and complete understanding of the procedure
of performing the practicum activity.
- Before starting any practical, spend some time with the respondent(s)
to establish rapport and create an environment comfortable for
conversation or activity; this is generally termed as rapport building. 7
Manual for Supervised - Respect the views of respondents and do not interrupt or show your
Practicum
own attitude, opinion or prejudice regarding what they are saying
or doing. The process should not be biased by your view points.
Keep the information confidential, and do not discuss it with any
other person including your friend, spouse, parents and other family
members.

- In case the family or the individual does not cooperate with you,
or you feel that you are not getting the desired information, try to
improve the rapport building and make your questions clearer. If it
does not work, stop the activity politely and take their leave. And,
report this in your file. Also, find another respondent to carry out
your practical.

Important Points for Writing a Report

1. Basic Information

Please mention all relevant details of your student status (enrolment number,
study centre etc.) clearly on each Practicum Report, as well as on the cover
of the Supervised Practicum File. The File should be presentable and legibly
written. Attach all other materials in the File (audio tapes, CDs, sheets of
paper on which you had taken notes during the interview etc.) and list
each one of them as ‘enclosures’ in the File along with the number of such
items.

2. Content

In most of the practicals, one has to give information about the individual/
family and its members. As you would realise, others (especially your
evaluators!) would not have access to this information unless you provide
the same in the report of the Practicum! So do remember to provide all
relevant information. At the same time, be true to yourself as you are
learning important concepts from the practicum activity. Do not falsify the
report or modify the record of the practicum activity to make it look ‘good’.
Don’t worry if everything in the family does not fit a given, stereotypical
norm of a family or a relationship. The idea here is to move away from
being judgemental and learn to create a view that is unbiased, encompassing
and sensitive to plurality. Your evaluations are going to be based on an
objective and unbiased treatment of the same in analysis. Please use the
concepts you have learnt in the Course in order to meet this end.

The content of your file will also be evaluated on how comprehensively and
objectively you have dealt with the issues at hand. Your personal beliefs and
preconceived notions should not hinder the understanding of the content.

3. Presentation

Your report for each practical should be comprehensive and analytical. Be

organised and help the evaluator know that you have understood the
concepts. Use pseudonyms rather than the actual names for the subjects
and family members. But rest of the information should be truthful.
8
4. Length Analysing Different
Forms of Family
Give all relevant details of a situation or a person. Be careful not to beat
about the bush! The richness of content and organisation of your report
carry more weight than how many pages it consists of or how long it is!
Supervised Practicum File
The Supervised Practicum File will be prepared by compiling the written
records of all the 6 practicals. You have to submit the complete Practicum
File duly evaluated by your Practicum Supervisor at your Programme Study
Centre/Study Centre, before the mentioned due date. The File would contain
sheets on which you have written the report of each practical, duly evaluated
by the Academic Counsellor, and the filled-in evaluation sheet given at
‘Annexure A’ at the end of this Manual.
The Counsellor will record the marks that you have obtained for the Practicum
at the end of each practical in your Supervised Practicum File, and in
Section 1 of the mark sheet provided at the end of this Manual at
Annexure A. Sections 2 & 3 of Annexure A have to be left blank, as these
are to be filled-in by the External Evaluator.
This Annexure A with duly filled in Section 1 and blank Sections 2 & 3
must be included in the Supervised Practicum File that you submit.
In addition, the Counsellor will certify the Form given at Annexure B at the
end this Supervised Practicum Manual which declares that every practical
was conducted by you for the required duration under her or his supervision
at the location which was approved by the Programme Study Centre/ Study
Centre. You must also include this duly filled-in Annexure B in the File you
submit.
Evaluation of Supervised Practicum File
The evaluation of Supervised Practicum is done at two levels. These are:
 Evaluation Level 1 : Internal Evaluation
 Evaluation Level 2 : External Evaluation
Evaluation Level 1: At the Programme Study Centre / Study Centre
by the Academic Counsellor/Supervisor
Every practical will be evaluated by the Academic Counsellor/Supervisor
with whom you have been attached by the Programme Study Centre/Study
Centre for the Supervised Practicum component of this Course. For the
purpose of evaluation, for each practical, the Academic Counsellor will judge
your performance during interactive sessions and evaluate the written records
which have been submitted by you in the Supervised Practicum File. This
is called Internal Evaluation.
The marking scheme is as follows:
For Practicals 1 to 4
Maximum marks (MM) for each practical = 50
Break-up
MM for the interactive session for each practical = 10
MM for the written record of each practical for the Practical File = 40 9
Manual for Supervised For Practicals 5 & 6
Practicum
Maximum marks (MM) for each practical = 100
Break-up
MM for the interactive session for each practical = 20
MM for the written record of each practical for the Practical File = 80
Hence, total MM for the internal evaluation component of the Supervised
Practicum (all 6 practicals) is 400.
Evaluation Level 2: External Evaluation (Evaluation of Practicum
File at IGNOU Headquarters)
An expert from the panel, nominated by IGNOU, will evaluate the
Supervised Practicum File. This is called External Evaluation. The External
Evaluator will record the marks in Sections 2 and 3 of Annexure A of this
Supervised Practicum Manual, that you would have enclosed in the File.
External evaluation will therefore be done on the basis of the Supervised
Practicum File submitted by the learner.
The External Evaluator shall evaluate each of Practicals 1 to 4 out
of 50 marks, and Practicals 5 & 6 out of 100 marks each. Thus, the
total marks for the external evaluation component shall be 400.
Weightage of Two Levels of Evaluation
The two levels of evaluation carry equal weightage towards final marks:
 The marks given by the Supervisor at Level 1, known as ‘Internal
Assessment, will be calculated as 50% weightage; and
 The marks given by the Expert at Level 2, known as ‘External
Assessment’, will also be calculated as 50% weightage.
You have to secure 40% as pass marks in both the assessments, internal
as well as external. If you are not able to secure 40% marks in either
assessment, you have to repeat the complete Supervised Practicum MCFTL-
004. It means you have to re-do all the Practicum activities, make a new
Practicum File and submit it.
Note: The panel of experts nominated by IGNOU, who are going to
evaluate your Practicum File at Level 2 have the right to moderate the
Internal Assessment marks awarded through the Programme Study
Centre/Study Centre in any component of the Practicum.
Submission of Supervised Practicum File
The complete Practicum File may be sent to the following address:
Student Evaluation Division
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068
Note: Before mailing the Practicum File, you must keep a photocopy of the
File with yourself, so that in case of loss in transit or misplacement, you
would be able to submit the copy of that file.
10
Maximum Duration of the Practicum Analysing Different
Forms of Family
For 2 credit Supervised Practicum of this Course, you have to spent 15
sessions of which 1 hour is with your Counsellor or Supervisor and 3 hours
are to be devoted to the field work. The maximum time you can take to
complete the practicum is four months from the date of commencement of
the Supervised Practicum for this Course.
Date for submission of the Supervised Practicum File
 If you wish the marks of the Supervised Practicum to be included in
the June Term-end Examination marksheet, then your Supervised
Practicum File must reach SED, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi
latest by 30th April. The File should be duly verified and evaluated by
your Supervisor before submission for external evaluation.
 In case the File is submitted after 30th April, and before 31st October,
marks would be included in December term-end examination marksheet.
Thus, if your Supervised Practicum File reaches IGNOU between 1st
November and 30th April it will be accounted for in the marksheet for
the June examination, and if the Supervised Practicum File reaches
IGNOU between 1st May and 31st October it will be accounted for
in the marksheet for the December examination.
 In the first year of your registration, the first time you can appear in the
term-end examination is in June. Subsequently you can appear for both
June & December term-end examination.
 The file submitted will not be returned to you.
 Do remember to keep a photocopy of the File.
Checklist of Enclosures:
When submitting your Supervised Practicum File, please ensure that you
have included the following:
1) The cover page should clearly state the title ‘‘Supervised Practicum
File for the Course MCFTL-004’’. Your name and enrolment number
must also be mentioned on the cover page.
2) The first page or the face sheet must also have your name, enrolment
number, full address, name, designation and address of your Supervisor;
as well as name and address of your PSC/SC. The format for the face
sheet of the Practicum File is given on the next page.
3) Written record of the 6 Practicals and corresponding enclosures like
audio tape, CDs and other materials used.
You must enclose the written record of each interview as it took place.
Also enclose the audio tape/CD if used or the sheets on which you
noted the answers of the respondents during the interview.
4) Annexure A (Sections 1, 2 & 3) and Annexure B.

11
 SUPERVISED PRACTICUM FILE
M.Sc. (CFT) — First Year
&
PGDCFT

MCFTL-004

Name of the Student :

Enrolment No. :

Address :

Phone No. :

Study Centre/
Programme Study Centre :

Regional Centre :

Name & Address of

Supervised Practicum
Supervisor :

Phone No./Mobile No./

e-mail address of Supervisor :

Signature of the Student

Date :

12
 PART-I:
ORIENTATIONAL PRACTICAL

RESOLVING THE HYPOTHETICAL

CASE RECORDS
Manual for Supervised
Practicum

14
 Resolving the Hypothetical
PRACTICAL 1 RESOLVING THE Case Records

HYPOTHETICAL CASE
RECORDS
Structure
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Part 1 : How To Proceed
1.3 Part 2 : Activity to be done:- Analysis of Hypothetical Case Records
1.4 Part 3 : Sample Illustration
1.5 Conclusion

1.1 INTRODUCTION
In this Practicum activity, we shall focus on dealing with some hypothetical case
records related to spousal relationship and family dynamics. We understand that
before undertaking this Practicum activity, you must have mastered the theoretical
aspects of the Course on Human Development and Family Relationships.
Comprehensive understanding and know-how of theoretical aspects is a
prerequisite before you plunge into taking up practical experiences!
By now you must be wondering that “why do I have to undertake solving the
hypothetical cases?” The answer is simple. You know that understanding theory
is a pre-requisite for doing a practical; similarly, dealing with hypothetical case
records is a pre-requisite for undertaking a case as a professional therapist in
real life situation.
Undertaking the hypothetical case records will give you the required confidence
to unravel the counselling experience. In the process you will also realise the
skills, knowledge and attitudes which you need to gain and acquire. You will
also analyse your own self better and discover what you need to cultivate.
Thus this particular Practicum activity focuses on giving you the pre-requisite
experiences and opportunity to contemplate and ponder while you are on an
exciting journey as a budding counsellor and family therapist.
Objectives
After undertaking Practicum activity, you will be able to:
 Start thinking from the perspective of a counsellor/family therapist, by
exploring a range of case records related to family dynamics and spousal
disharmony;
 Evaluate the roots behind disharmony within relationships and start thinking
about alternative solutions towards harmony;
 Begin to relate theoretical knowledge to practical situations and in the
process, clarify the concepts learned while strengthening them;
 Evaluate your own analysing, problem solving capacities and cultivate
patience;
15
Manual for Supervised  Become sensitive to the fact that every situation and individual is unique;
Practicum and
 Inspire and stimulate your thinking and discover the needs, potentials and
counselling and therapeutic techniques which you will need to learn.

1.2 PART 1: HOW TO PROCEED

While you are reading the hypothetical case records, consider them with
seriousness and treat all of them as real case records. Being a counsellor/family
therapist, you have a responsibility towards your client. As you proceed to
studying the other Courses, you will learn more and more about therapy but
having had this experience of dealing with case records will give you an
opportunity for self reflection and sharpening your skills. No model example
has been provided here because counselling is a process. While you begin to
relate to your client, you are not magicians who will provide quick and readymade
solutions to each problem. Neither the counsellor nor the client knows that how
things will unfold. But this does not mean that you loose focus on making an
effort to resolve issues. Therapy is a process. Concentrate on the process and
not the content. It is important to respect the client’s reality but that does not
mean you believe in it completely. There might be another set of reality about
which the client might be unaware. It is important to note that whatever the
client reports to you is his or her point of view or perspective. There can be
a variety of ways of looking at a problem. As a counsellor or family therapist,
if you are stuck in between and have no idea what to do next, just concentrate
on what you feel. There is no hurry and no fixed recipe for solutions to the
problems. Below are a few pointers of what is expected out of you while you
deal with each case record. These are just broad guidelines. You may use your
expertise and approach to deal with the case records differently:
 List all the characters in the case record including your client.
 List all the worries, problems, ailments, feelings or disorders which your
client has reported.
 List all the worries, problems, ailments, feelings or disorders which you
feel are likely to exist and the client is unaware of.
 Give reasons as to why do you think the client must be experiencing
something in particular [which client(s) is unaware of].
 Find out your client’s purpose in coming to you.
 Summarise and interpret what the client has reported to you.
 Transform the problem statements made by your client into goal statements.
 Set realistic goals mutually with your client and describe how you will do
this.
 Explore the possibilities to reach the goal or goals and list them.
 Develop a plan to reach the goal together with the client and explain the
same.
 Describe the process and summarise in about 150 words.
 Evaluate your own progress at the end of the process of counselling.
16
 Resolving the Hypothetical
1.3 PART 2: ACTIVITY TO BE DONE:- Case Records

ANALYSIS OF HYPOTHETICAL CASE

RECORDS
Below are six hypothetical case records. Resolve them following the guidelines
prescribed in the previous Section for the purpose:
1. Sachin (22 years) comes to you in great anguish. He says — “I feel that
I am good for nothing and nobody values my existence. I was always
a below average performer in school. I was never really interested in
studying. At present I have finished my graduation with difficulty. I envy
my sibling Paresh who is a high achiever. Since childhood I was always
compared with Paresh for bringing good grades at school. My parents,
relatives and friends repeatedly advised me to be like my elder brother.
Whenever I think of doing something new, I am afraid that I will be put
down by others and they will not like my ideas. I always think what others
will think about me and my performance. I make attempts to conform to
the expectations of my parents but I always fail. My brother is at a point
where I can never reach. I want to be ahead of him and prove to all
that I am better but nobody is helping me. My brother has a story of
success to narrate every other day and I just keep listening to it. I hate
him because his success makes my parents dislike me. I feel guilty that
I hate my brother and then I hate myself. I am bringing shame to the family
name by not being able to carry out the tasks which I should be doing
at this point of time. I have no confidence in myself. I feel all that I will
undertake will fail. My parents are right, I am good for nothing and I am
timid”.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
2. Iqbal (32 years) and Reshma (30 years) are your clients. They have been
married for ten years and are unable to conceive a child. They are extremely
upset. Reshma reports: “I feel I am the cause of this situation though I
know that this is not true. I love Iqbal and will be on his side throughout
life, but who will take care of us when we are old or when either of us
isn’t alive. I know that there is an option of adopting a child but I don’t
want to do it. There is always a difference between your own child and
somebody else’s. I am facing lot of stigma wherever I go. People do not
say it on face but one can make out. Some of them hurt you by calling
you a ‘barren women’. I will remain incomplete all my life. I have not
caused hut to anyone but still God is punishing me”. Iqbal says: ‘‘I feel
sorry for our situation. I am frustrated by the questions and teasing at work
and with friends and relatives. Sometimes I want to disclose to all that
conceiving a child is never going to be possible, but Reshma does not
agree with me. She keeps hoping and gives hopes to others. Then it’s
17
Manual for Supervised me who has to bear the burden of answering the questions which people
Practicum ask. I have also told her that we should adopt a child but it is impossible
to persuade her. I am tired, I too want a child but I am helpless. I don’t
understand what do I deal with: my inability to give Reshma a child, my
own frustration, my work pressure or the silly questions which people ask
me?”
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
3. Neeta is your client (29 years). She is a highly qualified employed woman
in a leading multinational company. Her job demands a lot of her time
and commitment. Neeta is married to Rakesh and lives in a joint family
with in-laws. They have two children; two year old son and six year old
daughter. Rakesh is a very successful business man and most of the time
is traveling across the country. Neeta tells you: “I am under tremendous
stress. My husband and in-laws are pressurizing me to leave my current
job. We are very rich and money is not a problem at this point of time,
so my husband feels that I am neglecting my children and not paying attention
to them. My children are well behaved and I have trained them to live
without me while I am working. They are very obedient and stay at home
with my in-laws. I have also hired a maid who takes care of them and
helps my mother in-law. We have a cook who cooks according to
everybody’s taste and liking. I do not know where the problem is. My
in-laws and husband feel that there is no need for me to work. Having
such a position at work is so important for me to feel worthy of myself.
They feel I should be cooking and taking care of children and cleaning
the house. I have tried hard to convince them and talk it out with my
husband. But my husband gets angry at me now. He says if you want
to continue working, you can do so but you should also cook and take
care of the children. How is this practically possible? He does not help
me at all because he feels it’s my job. I feel like running away and giving
him a divorce but I do not know what I am waiting for. My mother in-
law is hale and hearty but she refuses to do any work even when I am
unwell. My husband is so indifferent to my needs and beyond that feels
that I am a bad mother, a bad wife and a bad homemaker. This is the
last thing I want to hear”.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
18 .............................................................................................................
4. Taniza (22 years) is you client. She reports her problem as — “I have Resolving the Hypothetical
Case Records
had an arranged marriage six months back. I feel trapped and caged in
my husband’s home. We live in a joint family and my husband is the youngest
son amongst three elder brothers and one elder sister. He is more like
a child to the family and rarely takes up a responsibility. He does not have
any power to take decisions; even with regard to those things that are
related to his life. Because of this even I am treated like a child. We have
to take permission even if we want to go out for a movie. My husband
being the youngest does not have any power related to family finances.
I was financially independent before marriage. I was a preschool teacher
and enjoyed my independence. Now I am not allowed to do a job because
it is considered against the family honour. It’s not about money or honour;
it’s about freedom and independence. I have nothing to do except to sit
at home. The city in which we live is very small compared to the metro
city in which I grew up. I don’t like the way my husband is handling his
life. I am feeling suffocated. He is taking everything very lightly. I am
suffocated in this marriage. I feel there is no identity. I talked this out with
my parents and they feel this is not a serious situation. I feel empty headed
and depressed all day”.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
5. Joseh (83 years) is your client. This is what he tells you — “I am getting
very old now and I am unable to handle the situation in which I am. My
wife is bedridden and her medicines are very costly. We have two children.
Our daughter is married and settled in USA. My son and his wife are
in UK since past 4 years. When my son wanted to go to UK, he wanted
some huge amount of money. I gave him quite a bit from my balance.
While he was leaving, he and his wife told us that they will be back in
two years after earning some good amount of money. They have not come
back since four years. A few weeks back my son called me and said
that he has applied for citizenship and he would like to settle in UK. His
wife and children also feel the same strongly. He told me that they will
visit us after a few years. They regularly make phone calls and also send
some money which gets used up in my wife’s medication. I cook food
for me and my wife and also clean the house, clothes and vessels. We
cannot afford these luxuries. I feel very lonely and depressed. Sometimes
I feel so lethargic that I just do not want to get up from where I am
sitting. Who will take care of my wife if I die? Who will inform my son
if we are no more? Will he come to see us ever? I keep telling my wife
that he is unable to come because he is busy but who will console me?
I don’t want to do all this at this age. I am tired and feel very scared
of the future. Our family was bustling with joy when we were young and
kids were small. Today it just me and my wife and most of the time it’s
only me and myself. What do I do to feel a little better? I am tired of
watching television and reading the newspaper. I cannot go to the park 19
Manual for Supervised for a long time as my wife is alone at home. I cannot read much because
Practicum my eyesight is getting weak. I am not living; I am just existing. Sometimes
I think both me and my wife should die”.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
6. Reena (55 years) is your client, and tells you — “I am a very strong woman.
These days I feel a sense of emptiness; that is why I have come to seek
help from you. I can solve all my problems but this one is just not in
my hand. I think I am getting old. For all my life I have been taking care
of people and solving their problems. Nobody listened to me or my
problems but that’s ok. After all I am the care giver. Soon after I got
married to Amit I had to leave my job. I was working as a teacher in
school and got the best teacher award every year. But Amit’s family did
not approve of an employed wife so it required leaving the job. I did all
the housework without a maid and never complained. Soon I gave birth
to twins. My husband’s job was transferable. He started going to places
frequently. I could not move with him because our children were young
and my in-laws were old. I really missed him but had no daring to say.
My children started going to school and I got busier with household work
and looking after my in-laws. My husband visited us only once in a month;
sometimes not even that. Once I was very ill and was admitted in the
hospital but he did not even come to see me. Years passed. My in-laws
passed away and my children are adults now. The last ten years were
the best time of my life. I got up in the morning without an alarm clock.
Drank a big mug of tea and had the newspaper to myself. I had hired
three maids to do household chores. I visited friends and relatives and
saw television for long hours. I had all the time for myself. Sometimes
I would just not cook for weeks. But now my husband is back with us
forever. He expects so much out of me. My entire schedule has changed.
I have to be on my toes to keep up to his expectations and manage his
time well. I have to cook everyday. Sometimes when I request him to
take us out for dinner, he refuses by saying that he has been eating out
all his life so now he wants home made food. My children are indifferent.
They go out with friends, watch movies and amuse themselves, but I am
stuck in this house with this man. There is no time which I can call my
own. I want to live for myself. I am suffocated. I want to stay alone.
How do I express this to my husband and children? They will not agree
because if they do they will loose out on a full time, free of cost maid.
I also have needs which they have all failed to understand”.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................

20 .............................................................................................................
 Resolving the Hypothetical
1.4 PART 3: SAMPLE ILLUSTRATION Case Records

One case record has been resolved for your reference. Read the broad guidelines
given in Part 1 once again, before you proceed to reading the resolved example.
Gurmeet is your client. (34 years). He tells you: “I am married to Pooja
since past seven years. But I do not really know if she is married to me.
I feel she is married to my money. I was studying in America, when I
fell in love with her in the University. She was really very attractive and
she still is. I am so much dependent on her emotionally. Before marriage
whenever we went out together, I used to pay the bills — be it the movie
or restaurant or sometimes even the rent of her apartment. She never
offered to pay any of the bills. At that time I was like a fool to not make
it clear. Sometimes I would lie to my parents and give them various excuses
so that they send me money from India. I would tell my parents that I
am taking extra courses and I need to pay up the fees, I need money
for medicines, someone stole my cell phone and I need to buy a new one
etc. My parents love me so much that they would immediately send me
the money without questioning. I would spend all the money on Pooja and
not even feel guilty about wasting my father’s hard earned money. Today,
I am feeling so bad about it. We got married after graduation and came
back to India. She could not get along well with my parents after marriage
so we shifted to a rented house. She refused to seek employment and support
me financially. At that time, I was not earning very well. She forced me
to buy a car. She would come to drop me to work and come to pick me
up again. All our bank accounts were joint accounts. She always kept on
asking for money for buying clothes and other accessories. I never refused.
In fact I still do not refuse. The moment my salary is deposited in my
bank account she withdraws all the money. If I ask her where did she
spend, she fights with me and does not talk to me for days together. Then
when I apologise she is all right. Today, I earn a very good salary. But
I do not have any savings. I feel financially insecure. I love Pooja a lot,
but I feel she does not love me because she is not ready to discuss the
financial issue. At this stage of my life I cannot afford to loose her. I have
tried to talk with her almost a hundred times, but the result is always
the same. I want to save money and also our relationship”.
Interpretation
1. All the characters in the case record; including your client. Analysis
of your client’s family in terms of socio economic status, family size,
role of family members, etc.
 Gurmeet (client)
 Pooja (client’s wife)
 Gurmeet’s Parents
2. All the worries or problems or ailments or feelings or disorders which
your client has reported
 Confusion about the wife’s intentions and feelings towards him.
 Emotional dependence on the wife
 Feeling of foolishness.
 Guilt feelings of having lied to parents.
 Feeling bad about wasting father’s money.
 Financial insecurity. 21
Manual for Supervised  Helplessness towards the need to save the relationship and
Practicum money — both.
3. All the worries/problems/ailments/feelings/disorders which you feel
would be existing and the client is unaware of
 Feelings of anger towards Pooja.
 Repenting to have fallen in love and still feeling dependent.
 Hatred towards self to have failed in judging an individual and
cheating one’s parents.
 Fear of expressing his true feelings to his wife.
 Feeling trapped in a relationship.
 Powerlessness.
4. Reasons as to why you think the client must be experiencing
something in particular (which he/she/they is/are unaware of)
i) The client must be feeling angry towards his wife because at many
instances he indirectly mentions behaviours of his wife which are
not acceptable to him, for example not paying bills before
marriage, not getting along with his parents, not giving an
explanation for using up all the money.
ii) He is repenting because he mentions himself being a fool to have
not understood things before. He also is unsure whether his wife
really loves him and his talks give a feeling that he does not like
the emotional dependence. He is not getting what he actually
wants out of a relationship.
iii) He mentions a number of powerless situations in which his wife
although not earning has more power, emotional as well as
financial. Whereas he is the breadwinner but does not have access
and control over his resources, neither is he feeling emotionally
independent.
iv) His behaviour reflects that he is constantly apologising even if
he considers himself a victim. He is fearful of the marriage falling
apart and decides the end result of the imaginative communication
which I think rarely takes place between the two.
v) Gurmeet also feels a lot for his parents which he has expressed
many times but he has displaced the blame on Pooja.
5. Purpose of Seeking Counselling/Family Therapy Inervention
 My client’s purpose of coming to me is the intention to make the
marriage work. This is a positive sign. He has never said that
he wants a divorce or dislikes his wife. He still loves her a lot.
At the same time he is feeling helpless and confused about various
situations in his life. He is here to get ready made solutions. He
seems to be in a hurry. He needs to be calmed down and take
stock of the overall situation.
6. Analysis
 Gurmeet loves Pooja, his parents and very importantly his self. He
needs reassurance about intimate and significant relationships. He wants
to be the best son and a responsible husband and at the same time
22 does not want to lose his self respect.
7. Transforming the problem statements made by client into goal statements Resolving the Hypothetical
Case Records
Problem Statements Goal Statements

I am so much dependent I will be emotionally stronger

on her emotionally. and independent.
Today I am feeling so bad about it. I will do something about
feeling bad and not just be
a victim of what I feel.
I feel financially insecure. I will carve a path to
financial stability. It is in my
hands.
At this stage of my life I I can afford anything in life
cannot afford to lose her. at any stage.
The result is always the same. If I make different efforts
the result will surely be
different.

8. Goals of Counselling
Gurmeet has to realise by himself what he actually feels for Pooja.
He has to look at the goal statements closely and make sincere efforts
to internalise the real problem. Until he comes to terms with his own
self and the immediate feelings this will not happen. He has to be
reminded constantly during the process of counselling that he has to
be responsible for his situation in which he is and at the same time
hold responsibility to come out of this. It is important to calm down
and analyse the feelings. Talking will help him come up with realistic
goals. Changes cannot happen overnight and it requires much effort
from the client.
9. Possibilities of reaching the goal
Gurmeet seems very positive about wanting to make the relationship
work. So the process should be smooth and positive. However it is
important to involve Pooja also in the process. Gurmeet has to work
on getting Pooja to the family therapist.
10. Plan to reach the goal
 Taking stalk of one’s true feelings.
 Finding out what bothers him the most — Pooja’s indifferent
attitude or financial instability.
 Finding effective communication strategies and implementing
them.
 Apologising to parents about the past and confess about the guilt
feeling.
 Making it possible for Pooja to also visit the family therapist.
 Working on one’s hidden worries and fears and trying to bring
swift solutions which is beneficial to both. 23
Manual for Supervised 11. Summary
Practicum
 When Gurmeet pondered over what he actually felt, he discovered
in the process that he lived much in the past and future than living
in the present. He was upset over many past incidences which were
unresolved because he had not communicated to the concerned
person. He made efforts to work on his apprehensions and
conveyed to Pooja and his parents individually about how he felt.
In the process he also became stronger as Pooja reassured him
of her love. Gurmeet made it clear to his wife that financial
independence meant a lot to him and he did not appreciate her
spendthrift behaviours. He could also convey to her that she should
be financially independent. He apologised to his parents. After a
little rough patch things started coming on track. In the process
Gurmeet emerged as a stronger and happier individual. He is still
working on implementing the effective communicating strategies.
12. Evaluation
 Initially I thought Gurmeet was impatient but in the process I
released even I was impatient and patience is the most important
quality I need to cultivate.
 I felt a little hatred towards client’s wife initially and later also
during some instances towards the client. Being a therapist I
cannot afford to be judgmental.
 Sometimes I felt disbelief towards the client. It is important to
be alert and critical in analysing but trust in your client is very
important. It is reciprocal in nature.

Note: This is just an example. You may follow the broad guidelines
and vary in resolving the situation.

1.5 CONCLUSION
Even after you have dealt with a variety of cases as far as counselling and
family therapy is concerned, there would be a day when you are faced with
a situation which you have never heard of or imagined. You might feel anxious
or confident but most importantly you have to take it as a learning experience.
Every case is of course a new challenge but also an excellent opportunity for
self improvement as a family therapist. At the end of this exercise, you have
to make a list of points which you feel you need to sharpen and improve upon.
You have to be honest to yourself as it is only for your, self-reflection and
improvement. Keep those points handy and try to accomplish them while you
proceed in studying the course further. Do this exercise at every level in order
to sharpen your abilities and skills.
Remember that empathy with your client and setting realistic goals is extremely
important in the process of counselling.
Lastly consider this folk story: Once upon a time there was a child who ate
lot of jaggery. He cried all day and harassed his mother to eat jaggery.
24 He loved the sweet taste of sugarcane. There came a time when he ate
almost 500 grams of jaggery per day. His mother got really worried that Resolving the Hypothetical
Case Records
he will fall sick and tried to convince him harshly but he would not listen
and cried all day. She was strict with him but he was adamant. She felt
helpless. She had heard about a saint who was visiting their village and
was known to solve everyday problems of people. She visits the saint in
frustration. She tells him, “My son just does not listen to me. He eats
jaggery all day. I think he will fall sick. I have failed in all attempts to
persuade him, please help”. The saint looks at her puzzled and anxious.
He tells the woman, “Please come after one month and I will try to solve
your problem”. The woman was disappointed but she had no choice. She
waited for one month and then took her son to the saint. The saint
embraced the child and told him in a polite tone, “Too much of jaggery
is not good for your health. You should eat it in limit to continue enjoying
the taste forever. If you eat so much of it you will be sick of it and fall
ill”. The child tells him “I will try to change”. The woman was confused
at this. She was a little annoyed as she told the saint. “You waited for
a month to speak these two lines to my son? You could have said this
before one month also. Why did it take you so long?’’ The saint smiles
and says, “My dear lady, when you came to me before a month I was
myself eating too much of jaggery. I could not stop myself because I also
love the taste of sugarcane. How could I have advised your son to do
which I am unable to do myself? It is so much unrealistic! I asked for
a month to change myself first and understand how difficult it is before
advising the same thing to your son”.

25
Manual for Supervised
Practicum

26
 PART-II:
FAMILY INTERVIEWS
THE TOOL & PRACTICALS 2-6
Manual for Supervised
Practicum

28
 Resolving the Hypothetical
PART - II Case Records

In this part of the Supervised Practicum, you have to conduct family interviews
of diverse individuals. The interviews should be extensive and indepth in nature,
and you may need to visit the individual/family more than once to obtain the
requisite information in a comprehensive manner. Various areas to be covered
in this interview have been mentioned in the given tool considering the fact
that by now you should be aware and have some idea about dealing with
a family and independent individual. These skills would be developed further
in the second year of the M.Sc. (CFT) programme. The skills used now would
help you later to carryout family interviews with your client. Operational
definition here of family interview is interview of the whole family together
or could be some members of the family or couple together or and in some
cases an individual wherein interview session primarily focusses on the family
of that individual. The primary feature in that even when interviewing an
individual, the focus is on the family. In case of family interview, it is not
just one individual or the index family member who participates in the interview
session; rather the entire family, or at least the other key family members are
interviewed often together.

TOOL: FAMILY INTERVIEW SCHEDULE TO BE USED IN

PRACTICALS 2-6
In these practicals you would be conducting family interviews and analysing
the same on the basis of information gathered and learnt in different courses.
Use of your insight and creativity would help you in this task. In Practicals
2-6, you have to interview the person (or couple or family) as described
in the aim of the practical. For this purpose, you would need to prepare
a family interview schedule on the basis of the major areas to be covered;
which have been listed below. We are providing you the semi-structured format
of the interview schedule to be used with the respondents. You would need
to adept the interview schedule as per the characteristics of the individual and
family to be interviewed.
i. Personal History — which includes age, education, occupation of self,
income, socio-economic status, etc.
ii. Information regarding illness or problems suffered by the client.
iii. Family History — which includes information about family, parents,
siblings, etc.
iv. Understanding power in the family.
v. Understanding family functioning.
vi. Problem solving in the family.
vii. Communication in the family.
viii. Roles of the various individuals in the family.
ix. Affective responsiveness in the family.
x. Affective involvement of family members.
29
Manual for Supervised xi. Behaviour patterns and control in the family.
Practicum
xii. Interactional pattern in the family.
xiii. Family strengths.
xiv. Family weaknesses.
xv. Differentiation of individualism and familism of the individuals in the family.
xvi. Issues related to sex.
xvii. Issues related to money and property.
xviii. Expectations from self, spouse, parents, children, in-laws, work place,
etc.
xix. Meeting the needs of children.
xx. Childhood memories.
xxi. Spiritual issues.
xxii. Religious issues.
xxiii. Loneliness.
xxiv Self-actualisation.

30
 Case History Taking and
PRACTICALS TO BE DONE Mental Status Examination

PRACTICALS 2 - 6

In this Part, details regarding the following practicals are given:

Practical 2 Family Interview of an Unmarried Adult

Practical 3 Family Interview of an Elderly Individual
Practical 4 Family Interview of a Childless Couple (Who have been married
for more than four years)
Practical 5 Family Interview of a Couple with a Child upto 6 Years of Age
Practical 6 Family Interview of an Adolescent’s Parents

SAMPLE
FOR PRACTICALS 2 - 6

The individuals/familes identified for the Practical would be as per the title of the
Practical. Please refer to Course — MCFT-001 for the age groups to be
selected for each practical.
RESPONDENTS

For Practical 2 Any adult unmarried person, male or female, at any stage of
adulthood, like early adulthood, middle adulthood or late
adulthood may be interviewed. Here, you may interview
an individual.

For Practical 3 The respondent may be any elderly individual  retired,

widowed, living in the family or an old age home, etc. Here,
you may interview the individual itself.

For Practical 4 In this case, the childless couple should have been married
for more than four years. In this case, you may interview
an individual, that is, either the husband or the wife.

For Practical 5 You have to interview a couple with a child upto 6 years of
age. In this case the couple, that is, both husband and
wife, need to be interviewed.

For Practical 6 Parents of an adolescent boy or girl are to be interviewed

along with the adolescent and other family members (if any).
Here, interview the whole family.

31
Manual for Supervised
Practicum TOOL
TO BE USED IN PRACTICALS 2-6

For each practical prepare an interview schedule as per your target respondent(s).
It would be a good idea to discuss it with your Supervisor/Counsellor before
you conduct the interview.

Note : Semi-structured Family Interview Schedule has been given. Use

the areas/topics relevant for the individual/family whom you have identified
for the specific Practical.

Now we would explain how you may write the report of the above mentioned
practicals. The report of each practical must include the aim, objectives, method,
tool, findings, analysis and discussion, conclusion, and reflections.

FORMAT
TO BE USED FOR DOING AND WRITING DOWN THE
REPORT OF EACH OF THE PRACTICALS (2-6)

TITLE : Practical Activity ... (e.g. ‘5’) — Family Interview of a couple

with a child upto 6 years of age.
(In the Practical Title, the individual mentioned would change as per the
practical number)
AIM:
Family Interview of ..... (e.g., ‘of a couple with a child upto 6 years of age’)
(Under ‘Aim’, the individual mentioned would change as per the practical
number)
OBJECTIVES:
After undertaking this Practical activity, you will be able to:
 Understand the importance of family interviewing;
 Know the method of taking family interview..... (e.g., ‘of a couple with a
child upto 6 years of age’); and
 Apply skills of family interview in clinical practice.
(Under ‘Objectives’, the individual mentioned would change as per the
practical number)
METHOD:
Materials Required:
Interview schedule for family interview, pen, paper, tape recorder.

32
FINDINGS: Case History Taking and
Mental Status Examination
(This would include data obtained from family interviewing.)
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
In this section, you must enclose the written record of the interview as it look
place. You must also enclose in the File the audio tape if used, or the written
sheets (on which you noted the answers of the respondent during the interivew).
In this Section, you need to state the information obtained through interview with
the subject and the other informant(s) as well as that obtained through your own
observations. You may use the format of the tool for the purpose.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION:
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
In this section you have to write down your inference and analysis of the information
that you obtained in the course of the family interview.
CONCLUSIONS:
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
In this section you have to conclude this practicum in about 500-750 words. Here
you have to record the inferences that you have been able to draw on the basis
of this practical activity. Broadly, you need to focus on the findings and the
interpretations of the same.
REFLECTIONS:
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
You may state how you went about this practicum activity, and how your
respondents reacted towards you. Note down any particular behaviour of the
respondent which you came across like too self conscious, adjusting dress or hair
constantly, etc. Write your inner self experience in this whole practicum. In a
simple paragraph of about 250 words, reflect on your experience while performing
this practical.

33
Manual for Supervised TO BE FILLED IN BY THE SUPERVISOR/COUNSELLOR
Practicum
Counsellor’s Comments:
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
Assessment during Interaction
Marks (out of 10/20) : .....................
Assessment of Written Report (Supplemented by audio/CD, record sheets
used at the time of interviewing submitted by the learner).
Marks (out of 40/80) : .......................... .
Total Marks (out of 50/100): ..........................
(Both in figures and words.)
..........................................
(Counsellor’s Signature and Date)

...................................
(Counsellor’s Name)

Note : The above format for writing the report, and evaluation by the
counsellor, needs to the followed for each of the Practicals 2 to 6.

34
 ANNEXURE A
EVALUATI ON S HE ET
Remember to attach this Annexure A (Completed Section 1, and
Blank Sections 2 & 3) with the Supervised Practicum File when
you send it to IGNOU. Keep a copy with yourself.
SECTION 1: Internal Evaluation by the Academic Counsellor at the
Programme Study Centre/Study Centre
The following is the format in which the Academic Counsellor/Supervisor is
required to consolidate the marks for the 6 Practicals done by the student.
These marks should also be stated on each written Practical submission in the
Supervised Practicum File.

Practical Name of the Practical Maximum Marks Obtained

No. Marks Marks Marks Total
based on based on Marks
Interaction Written
Report

1* Resolving the hypothetical

case records 50
2* Family interview of an adult
unmarried adult 50

3* Family interview of an elderly

individual 50
4* Family interview of a childless
couple 50

5** Family interview of a couple with

a child upto 6 years of age 100
6** Family interview of an adolescent’s
parents 100
Grand Total 400 Grand Total (x)

Note: * Total marks for Practical 1, 2, 3 and 4 is 50 each, out of which 10 marks
are for the assessment based on interaction with the Supervisor and 40
marks are for the assessment of the written report, which is to be
supplemented by audio/CDs/sheets on which notes were taken during
interview, submitted by the learner.
** Total marks for Practical 5 & 6 is 100 each, out of which 20 marks are for
the assessment based on interaction with the Supervisor and 80 marks are
for the assessment of the written report, which is to be supplemented by
audio/CDs/sheets on which notes were taken during interview, submitted
by the learner.

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 Weightage of marks for Internal Evaluation is 50%. To calculate this,
use the formula given below:

Total marks obtained by learner (x)

× 50 = ‘N’
400
Note : The pass percentage for Internal Evaluation is 40%. Therefore, if the
learner gets less than 20 marks after calculating 50% weightage of total
marks obtained, then the student has to repeat the supervised practicum.
In other words, ‘N’ obtained should be at least 20 for the learner to pass.
The Counsellor is required to use the given formula to calculate the final
marks out of 50, obtained by the learner in internal evaluation and to write this
final score in figures and in words.
(x)
__________________________  50 = ..........
400
(Marks obtained out of 50 in internal evaluation to be written in both
figures and words)
.....................................................................................................................
Academic Counsellor’s/Supervisor’s overall comments about the learner
(use additional sheets, if needed).
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................

Date:
Place: (Signature of the Academic Counsellor/
Supervisor)

Name & Designation of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : .................................

.............................................................................................................................
Address of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : ......................................................
.............................................................................................................................
E-mail Address of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : ..........................................
Phone/Mobile No. of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : ......................................

Date:
Place: (Signature and Stamp of the Programme
Incharge of PSC/Coordinator of SC )
Name of Programme Incharge of PSC / Coordinator of SC : ............................
.............................................................................................................................
Address of Programme Incharge/Coordinator : ....................................................
.............................................................................................................................
E-mail Address of Programme Incharge/Coordinator :.........................................
Phone/Mobile No. of Programme Incharge/Coordinator : ....................................

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 SECTION 2 : To be Used for External Evaluation at IGNOU
The following sheet will be used by the Expert Examiner identified by IGNOU
headquarters to evaluate the Supervised Practicum File submitted by the
Learner.
Practical Name of the Practical Maximum Marks Obtained
No. Marks

1* Resolving the hypothetical

case records 50
2* Family interview of an
unmarried adult 50

3* Family interview of an elderly

individual 50
4* Family interview of a childless
couple 50

5** Family interview of a couple with

a child upto 6 years of age 100
6** Family interview of an adolescent’s
parents 100

Grand Total 400 Grand Total (y)

Note :* For Practicals 1 to 4, the external evaluator is to give marks out of 50

on the basis of the report submitted for evaluation for each practical,
which is to be supplemented by audio/CDs/sheets on which notes were
taken during the interview, submitted by the learner.
** For Practicals 5 and 6, the external evaluator is to give marks out of 100
on the basis of the report submitted for evaluation for each practical,
which is to be supplemented by audio/CDs/sheets on which notes were
taken during the interview, submitted by the learner.

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 Weightage of marks for external evaluation is 50%. To calculate this, use
the formula given below:
Total marks obtained in external evaluation ( y )
× 50 = S
400
Note : The pass percentage for external evaluation is 40%. Therefore if the learner
gets less than 20 marks after calculating 50% weightage, then the student
has to repeat the Supervised Practicum. In other words, ‘S’ obtained by the
student should be at least 20 to pass.
The external evaluator is required to use the above formula to calculate the
final marks, out of 50, obtained by the learner in external evaluation and to
write this score in figures and in words.

( y)
× 50 = .............
400
(Marks obtained out of 50 in external evaluation to be written in both figures
and words)
........................................................................................................................

Date: (Signature of External Examiner of IGNOU Panel)

Place:

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 SECTION 3 : Grand Total of Marks for Inclusion in the
Learner’s Final Marksheet
Marks Obtained by the Learner in Sections 1 and 2 i.e. in both internal and
external evaluation of Supervised Practicum are to be consolidated below by
the External Expert (who did evaluation in Section 2)

Supervised Practicum (MCFTL-004)

Internal External Total marks

Assessment Assessment obtained (T)

(External Expert to (External (Expert to add marks

write marks as evaluator to ‘N’ and ‘S’ and write
stated by the write marks here the total here)
Learner’s Supervisor given by her/him (N+S=T)
as ‘N’ at the end of as ‘S’ at the end
Section 1 of of Section 2 of
Annexure A) Annexure A)

(Marks out of 50) (Marks out of 50) (Marks out of 100)

GRAND TOTAL OF MARKS OBTAINED BY THE LEARNER (T) : ................

(To be written in both figures and words)
.............................................................................................................................

Date: (Signature of External Examiner of IGNOU Panel)

Place:

Name of External Examiner : ..........................................................................

Address of External Examiner : .........................................................................

..................................................................................................

E-mail Addess of External Examiner : .................................................................

Phone/Mobile No. of External Examiner : ...........................................................

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 ANNEXURE B

Certificate of Completion of Supervised Practicum

MCFTL-004

Remember to enclose this Annexure in your Practicum File. Keep a

copy with yourself.

(To be certified by the Academic Counsellor/Supervisor and the Programme

Incharge of the Programme Study Centre or Study Centre Coordinator)

We certify that the student Mr. / Ms. / Dr. .............................................with

enrolment number ...........................................has carried out the stipulated 6
practicals of the Supervised Practicum of the course ‘Counselling and Family Therapy:
Applied Aspects’ under our guidance and supervision. The Supervised Practicum
File submitted herewith is the result of bonafide work done by the student for the
supervised practicum MCFTL-004 from ........................................... (start date)
to ....................... (end date).

Date:
Place: (Signature of the Academic Counsellor/
Supervisor)

Name & Designation of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : .................................

.....................................................................................................................
Address of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : ......................................................
.....................................................................................................................
E-mail Address of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : ..........................................
Phone/Mobile No. of Academic Counsellor/Supervisor : ......................................

Date:
Place: (Signature and Stamp of the Programme
Incharge of PSC/Coordinator of SC )

Name of Programme Incharge of PSC / Coordinator of SC : ..............................

.....................................................................................................................
Address of Programme Incharge/Coordinator : ....................................................
.....................................................................................................................
E-mail Address of Programme Incharge/Coordinator :.........................................
Phone/Mobile No. of Programme Incharge/Coordinator : ....................................
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Dear Learner,
Photocopy this page, and place the duly filled-in copy at
the end of each practical in your Supervised Practicum
File.

Practical No. : ...............

TO BE FILLED IN BY THE SUPERVISOR/COUNSELLOR

Counsellor’s Comments:
..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................

Assessment during Interaction

Marks (In case of Practicals 1-4, out of 10; In case of Practicals 5 & 6,
out of 20) : .....................
Assessment of Written Report (Supplemented by audio/CD, record
sheets used at the time of interviewing etc. submitted by the learner).
Marks (In case of Practicals 1-4, out of 40; In case of Practicals 5 & 6,
out of 80) : ..........................
Total Marks (In case of Practicals 1-4, out of 50; In case of Practicals
5 & 6, out of 100): ..........................
(The total marks are to be written in both figures and words)
..................................................................................................................

..........................................
(Counsellor’s Signature and Date)

...................................

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 Sample of Permission Letter

I, .................................................................................... (name of the student)

am pursuing M.Sc. (CFT)/PGDCFT programme from IGNOU. I am attached to
................................................................. Regional Centre at Study Centre /
Programme Study Centre........................................................................

........................................................................................................................

(Name, Address and PSC/SC No.). I am doing Supervised Practicum of the

Course ‘Counselling and Family Therapy: Applied Aspects’ — MCFTL-004
under the guidance of my Academic Counsellor/Supervisor
........................................ (name of the Academic Counsellor/Supervisor). For
the completion of my course work, I need you to grant me permission to interview
you and your child/spouse/any other relation for about 1½ -2 hours as per your
convenience. Please grant me permission and oblige.

(Student’s Signature & Name)

(Academic Counsellor’s Signature & Name)

(Name & Signature of the Parent & Person to be interviewed)

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