PSY354

Specimen Examination Paper

Counselling Psychology in Singapore

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Time allowed: 2 hours

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INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS:

1. This examination contains FIVE (5) questions and comprises FOUR (4) printed pages
(including the cover page).

2. You must answer ALL questions.

3. All answers must be written in the answer book.

4. This is a closed-book examination.

At the end of the examination

Please ensure that you have written your examination number on each answer book used.

Failure to do so will mean that your work cannot be identified.

If you have used more than one answer book, please tie them together with the string provided.

THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT NOT TO MARK YOUR

SCRIPT IF YOU FAIL TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

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Specimen Examination Paper
Answer ALL questions.

Question 1

Sandy just graduated with a degree in psychology and started work a week ago at an Non-
Governmental Organization (NGO) that specializes in empowering women who have been
abused. She wants to work with this population because her own mother was abused severely
by Sandy’s father until her mother suffered near fatal injuries for a long time until eventually
escaping to a shelter when Sandy was only 4 years old. Sandy has since then, “sworn to help
abused women in any way possible and avenge her mother’s suffering”.

Yesterday, Eva, a 21-year-old Eurasian Singaporean female came to Sandy’s organization for
help. She said she was running away from an abusive boyfriend, David, who beats her daily
and would embarrass her in public by hurling vulgarities at her in crowded places. Eva lives
with her single mother who works 2 jobs to make ends meet for both of them. As such, the
mother is hardly at home. Eva tried to enrol in a diploma course but dropped out at the
“command” of David who “doesn’t think a girl needs to study”. Eva says if she “doesn’t drop
everything and meet him” when he asks her to do so, he will come to her house and bang on
the door loudly and create a scene. The neighbours have called the police several times but Eva
would always apologize to the police and promise that ‘this is nothing serious at all, just my
fault for making him angry.”

Eva also said that David abuses drugs and has at times, made Eva to pedal drugs to make
money. When Sandy asked Eva if David is still involved in drug abuse and/or trafficking, Eva
looked away and whispered, “if I tell you, you will report to CNB (Central Narcotics Bureau)
and he will kill me. I can’t tell you, I am sorry.” Sandy promised Eva that she will keep it to
herself.

Eva said she is afraid to go back to her house in case David finds her there and her mother is
afraid of David as well because there was one instance when David had hit her mother when
her mother tried to block him from hitting Eva. Angered by such an appalling story of abuse,
Sandy tells Eva to tell David “to not to try anything funny from now on or (my) counsellor will
teach (you) a lesson”.

Fearing for Eva’s safety, Sandy gave Eva her personal mobile number and told her, “call
anytime you need me, ok? I am here for you.” Sandy also gave Eva $50 from her own wallet
when she heard that Eva had not eaten for 2 days, as David forced her to give him all her salary.

If you are Sandy’s supervisor, briefly evaluate the possible ethical issue(s) that have arisen in
this scenario and discuss how you would advise Sandy to manage them.
(20 marks)

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Specimen Examination Paper
Question 2

a) Appraise the effectiveness of person-centred therapy with respect to children of “Tiger

Mums” who may come for psychotherapy. “Tiger Mum” refers to someone who is
considered to be a demanding or strict parent. You should have about two arguments
illustrated with suitable examples.
(10 marks)

b) A 15-year-old female student has been referred to you for psychotherapy. It is reported in
the referral form that she experienced intense cyber-bullying for the past two months. Her
form teacher was the one who highlighted her case for attention after seeing her hiding
behind the school building and crying by herself, a week ago.

Assuming this girl comes to you for the first session, apply your skills in completing a
Mental Status Exam (MSE) by stating two observations you might see in this girl, for each
of the five categories below:-
• Appearance & Behaviour
• Thought Processes
• Mood and Affect
• Intellectual Functioning
• Sensorium
(10 marks)

Question 3

Analyse any FOUR (4) challenges you foresee facing if you choose to practice counselling
psychology in Singapore.
For each challenge,
(a) please illustrate with a suitable example and ;
(b) briefly explain how you may manage the challenge.
(20 marks)

Question 4

According to the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study done in 2012 by NUS’s Yong Loo Lin
School of Medicine, 1 in 5 elderly persons in Singapore aged 75 and above show signs of
depression.

a) Discuss any three different events that may cause the elderly to experience depression in
Singapore.
(15 marks)

b) Design any two strategies that the Singapore government can implement to prevent the
elderly from falling into depression.
(5 marks)

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Specimen Examination Paper
Question 5

a) Appraise the effectiveness of group therapy with respect to clients who struggle with
addictions. You should have five arguments.
(15 marks)

b) Discuss any two strategies to educate our youth about managing academic stress and how
this can lead to serious mental illness(es) like anxiety and depression.
(5 marks)

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Specimen Examination Paper