Most Important Topics for IGNOU MAPC MPCE-021 (Counselling Psychology) | Exam Strategy Guide

Are you preparing for the IGNOU MAPC Term-End Exam for MPCE-021: Counselling Psychology?

This blog brings you a focused, updated list of the most important topics after carefully reviewing the full syllabus and past papers from 2010 to 2024.

Organized into Long Answers (10 marks), Medium Answers (6 marks), and Short Notes (3 marks) — just like the real exam.

🔥 Important Topics for MPCE-021 (Counselling Psychology)

🔹 High-Frequency Long Answer Topics (10 Marks)

• Definition, Nature, and Goals of Counselling

• Stages and Process of Counselling Relationship

• Psychoanalytic Approach to Counselling

• Person-Centered Approach (Carl Rogers)

• Behavioural and Cognitive Approaches to Counselling

• Existential and Gestalt Approaches

• Eclectic Approach to Counselling

• Drama Therapy and Art Therapy

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

• Reality Therapy

• Educational and Vocational Counselling

• Counselling for Vulnerable Children (Street Children, Child Abuse, Rights and Protection)

• Counselling for Depression and Anxiety Disorders

• Eating Disorders: Causes and Treatment

• Counselling for Personality Disorders (Cluster A, B, C)

• Counselling for HIV/AIDS Patients

🔹 Medium Answer Topics (6 Marks)

• Steps and Techniques of Systematic Desensitization

• Goals of Counselling at Different Stages of Education

• Physical Setting and Client-Counsellor Relationship

• Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling

• Techniques in CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)

• Types and Symptoms of Personality Disorders

• Transference and Counter-Transference

• Motivation and Goal-Setting in Counselling

• Counselling Techniques for Addiction

• Concept and Process of Termination in Counselling

• Reality Therapy: Goals, View of Human Nature, Techniques

• Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counselling

🔹 Short Notes Topics (3 Marks)

• Free Association and Dream Analysis

• Ego Defense Mechanisms (examples: Rationalization, Projection)

• SOLER Technique (for Active Listening)

• ABC Model of CBT

• Immediacy in Counselling

• Client vs Counsellor Qualities

• Counselling vs Guidance vs Psychotherapy

• Physical Setting in Counselling

• Aversive Therapy

• Anorexia Nervosa vs Bulimia Nervosa

• Beneficence and Non-Maleficence (Ethical Principles)

• Seasonal Affective Disorder

🧠 Super Important Topics (Highly Repeated Every Year)

Concept	Focus Area
Counselling vs Guidance vs Psychotherapy	Definitions, Differences
Counselling Process and Relationship	Stages, Termination
Approaches to Counselling	Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Cognitive, Behavioural, Eclectic
Specific Disorders	Depression, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Eating Disorders
Art Therapy and Drama Therapy	Techniques, Steps
Child Protection and Rights	Definitions, Counselling for Street Children
HIV/AIDS Counselling	Importance, Goals, Techniques
CBT Techniques	ABC Model, Thought Records, Behavioral Activation

If you master these topics, you can confidently answer 85–90% of the MPCE-021 Counselling Psychology exam!

Focus on learning concepts, processes, models, and practical counselling techniques.

Answer with clarity, structured paragraphs, and real-life examples where applicable.

With smart, focused preparation, you are ready to crack the exam like a pro! 🚀

All the best for your exams! 🍀

Tags: IGNOU MPCE-021 Important Topics, Counselling Psychology IGNOU MAPC, MAPC Exam Guide, Counselling Psychology Notes, IGNOU Term-End Exam Preparation