**Counseling**

**Introduction**

The Air Force has a continuing interest in improving the quality of
counseling at all levels of supervision. Even at the lowest level of
organization, problems arise that disrupt the performance of individuals
and lower the efficiency of the unit. People with problems may not be
able to solve them for a variety of reasons. The problem itself may be
totally divorced from the CAP environment, but that fact alone doesn't
necessarily remove it from the realm of the leader. Your subordinate's
problems become your problems when they adversely affect unit
effectiveness. The material in this section won't make you a
professional counselor, but it provides you with the knowledge necessary
to develop the skills to conduct effective counseling sessions.

**Characteristics of a Good Counselor**

Counseling is a process whereby a qualified person purposefully assists
another person to better handle his or her problems. Counseling is not
just giving advice. It's mutual trust and understanding. Ideally,
counseling is an opportunity for you to help your people intelligently
adjust to different situations. Counseling is a skill gained through
knowledge and practice of time-tested fundamentals or traits. Although
most of us are not inclined to invest the time to become a professional
counselor, all of us can and should work to attain the characteristics
of a good counselor.

A competent counselor should display sincerity, good listening skills,
and integrity to successfully assist people in gaining a better
understanding of themselves and their problems. A good counselor, above
all, will be sincerely interested in the person and the problem.
Insincerity is very easy for most people to detect, and it can seriously
degrade the effectiveness of any counseling session. Sincerity comes in
different packages surrounding the element of time. A sincere counselor
will make time for the counselee and schedule the session so both
parties have enough time to speak/listen. Next, a good counselor will
listen attentively to what is being said and perceptively hear what the
individual really means. Most of us are very good at talking but need to
consciously make an effort to actively listen. Finally, integrity is a
fundamental character trait for any successful counselor. As previously
discussed under personal leadership qualities, integrity is the quality
of being of sound moral principal, upright, and honest. A counselee is
more likely to confide in a counselor of obvious integrity.

**Methods**

The counseling method is a term to explain the intended emphasis of your
counseling session. Both method and techniques will aid a leader in the
counseling role. The method a counselor chooses may be either direct
approach (counselor-centered) or indirect approach
(counselee-centered)---although a combination of both is often
appropriate.

**Direct approach**

When the counselor assumes the initiative and carries a major part of
the responsibility for problem identification and resolution he or she
is using the direct approach. This approach has a long and honored
history. James Carroll, in his book *Face to Face* calls this approach,
"I talk, you listen" (44). Traditionally, people faced with problems and
personal crisis turn for guidance to those they consider wiser and more
experienced---this approach is useful in those cases. This direct
approach to counseling might also be called the problem-solving
approach. The counselor collects pertinent information with aims to
determine the problem and cause. This may happen to some degree before
the counseling session begins. During the session, the counselor
discusses the problem with the counselee and sparingly makes
recommendations or suggestions. Carroll also warns that the counselor
must not stifle counselee input even though the directive approach is
being used. Disciplinary counseling is another example of when directive
approach may be appropriate.

**Non-directive**

The non-directive method (also called counselee-centered) was developed
primarily by the renowned psychologist Dr. Carl B. Rogers. As the name
would suggest, the counselor's participation is minimal, and the
techniques of reflection and acceptance are used to encourage the
counselee to freely express himself. The counselor pays particular
attention to the emotion and attitudes associated with the problem.
Additionally, the counselee is encouraged to choose the goals, make the
decisions, and take responsibility for those decisions. The counselor
should genuinely have faith in the counselee to work out the problem.
This method is limited by the ability and intelligence of the counselee.
It is also limited by the desire of the individual to change for the
better. Despite these limitations, the non-directive method of
counseling is most appropriate more often than the directive.

**Techniques**

The counseling techniques are a series of questions, or the process, to
help the counselor conduct an effective session. Just as the counselor
must determine the best overall method for handling each situation, the
counselor should also selectively employ affective counseling techniques
(questioning, encouragement, and non-verbal behavior) to ensure a
successful session. First, when questioning, the counselor should ask
questions to encourage the counselee's participation. The questions
should be few, but steer the counselee toward a solution. Avoid "why"
questions because they can cause the counselee to become defensive.
Also, avoid questions where the counselee could simply answer "yes" or
"no." The counselor should strive to keep the counselee talking. Next,
practice encouragement by making simple statements of support that
reassure the counselee that the counselor is genuinely there to help.
This can include sympathizing, like the statement, "I see this is a
difficult subject for you." This technique will help keep the session
from stalling if the counselee becomes angry or withdraws. Finally, the
counselor should be aware of the nonverbal behavior---body language
(actions, gestures, or even tone of voice) can distract the counselee.
Crossing your arms or frowning can cause the counselee to withdraw or
become angry. Sitting behind a desk, a counselor can come across as
domineering or adversarial. Instead, sit at two chairs on the same side
of the table. A comfortable setting goes a long way toward an effective
counseling session. Additionally, the counselor should be aware of the
body language coming from the counselee. For example, clenched fists may
indicate unwillingness to open up. These techniques are best employed as
part of a counseling plan

**Counseling Plan**

A counseling plan should be developed for every session and should
include a meeting objective, method of counseling, and an opening
statement. First, according to Carroll, the objective needs to be
focused---not to, "improve his performance" but perhaps to advise him on
your expectations (50). If you cannot leave the session with your
objective being met, it is not an appropriate objective. Next, your
objective should lead you to a decision on the method of counseling to
be used. If, again, your objective is to advise the counselee of your
expectations, then at least a portion of your session must be directive.
Finally, opening the session by defining the problem and letting the
counselee know what observations you have made is key to setting the
tone for the session. The tone you set is dependent on your objectives
and the method you have selected based on that objective. The opening
statement should clearly define the purpose of the session and describe
the situation as you, the counselor, see it. By doing these things you
are off on a good step toward solving the problem. After your opening
statement, however, you are on uncharted territory and must depend on
the techniques discussed, your sincerity, and experience to guide both
you and the counselee to an acceptable conclusion

**Conclusion**

Counseling does not have to be a negative event---it is simply your
medium to communicate with your folks in order to accomplish an
objective. This lesson is designed to give you a framework from which to
learn---not to make you a professional counselor. Though nobody can tell
you when it will occur, it is important for you to realize your
limitations and not try to fix problems you are not qualified to fix.
Referring someone to a professional (i.e. a financial expert or other
specialist) is one of the most appropriate actions you could take to
assist someone in trouble. With time and practice counseling will become
a skill that will serve you and those who serve with you for years to
come.