Today we are going to be memorizing the 5 qualities of an effective counselor.

The 5 qualities of an effective counselor are

Respect for subordinates,

Self-Awareness,

Cultural Awareness,

Empathy,

And Credibility.

Once again, the 5 qualities of an effective counselor are

Respect for subordinates,

Self-Awareness,

Cultural Awareness,

Empathy,

And Credibility.

First, respect for subordinates means genuinely valuing Soldiers as individuals and recognizing their dignity, worth, and contributions to the unit. It involves treating each Soldier with fairness, listening to their concerns, and maintaining a professional attitude regardless of the Soldier’s rank, experience, or current performance. Respect does not mean overlooking poor behavior or ignoring standards, but rather approaching each Soldier with the belief that they have potential and deserve to be developed.

Respect for subordinates is essential because it lays the foundation for trust and open communication. When Soldiers feel respected, they are more likely to engage honestly during counseling, accept constructive feedback, and commit to improvement. Disrespect, on the other hand, can cause Soldiers to shut down, become defensive, or lose faith in their leadership. Respectful counselors create a climate where Soldiers feel safe to address problems and are motivated to grow because they know their leaders see them as valuable team members.

Second, Self-awareness means the counselor understands their own strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and biases and recognizes how these factors influence their counseling approach. It involves being conscious of how one’s tone, body language, and words affect the Soldier. A self-aware counselor is mindful of their leadership style and remains open to feedback about their own performance, knowing that their personal example significantly shapes the counseling dynamic.

Self-awareness is important because a counselor who does not understand their own behavior can unintentionally harm the counseling process. For example, unchecked frustration or bias can lead to unfair treatment or poor communication. When counselors are self-aware, they can control their emotions, prevent personal biases from interfering, and maintain professionalism even in challenging conversations. This leads to more balanced, thoughtful counseling sessions and helps Soldiers feel they are being treated fairly and objectively.

Third, Cultural awareness means understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that Soldiers bring to the unit. It involves recognizing how culture shapes communication styles, values, and reactions to leadership. Culturally aware counselors avoid making assumptions based on stereotypes and instead take time to understand each Soldier’s unique perspective, including differences related to ethnicity, gender, religion, or social background.

Cultural awareness is crucial because the Army is made up of people from many different cultures and backgrounds. If a counselor lacks cultural awareness, they may unintentionally offend a Soldier or overlook factors that are important to that Soldier’s motivation or behavior. Cultural misunderstandings can quickly break down trust. A culturally aware counselor builds inclusive, respectful relationships that acknowledge the whole person, which strengthens team cohesion and ensures that counseling is fair and effective across diverse populations.

Fourth, Empathy is the ability to genuinely understand and share the feelings of another person. In counseling, empathy means being able to see the situation from the Soldier’s point of view and recognizing how they are affected emotionally, mentally, or physically. It does not mean excusing poor performance, but it does mean being patient, listening carefully, and considering what the Soldier is experiencing before making judgments or offering solutions.

This episode is going to help you in memorizing the 5 characteristics of an effective counselor.

The 5 characteristics of an effective counselor are Purpose, Flexibility, Respect, Communication, and Support.

First, Purpose in counseling means having a clear, defined reason for conducting the counseling session. It gives direction to the conversation and ensures that both the counselor and the Soldier understand the intended outcome. Purpose may focus on improving performance, addressing an issue, planning for professional development, or providing guidance. Without a clear purpose, counseling sessions can lose focus, making it difficult to reach meaningful conclusions or set achievable goals. Purpose helps keep the session on track and ensures that the counseling process has a measurable impact.

Purpose is critical because it ensures that counseling is not just a conversation, but a structured leadership tool aimed at improving the Soldier and strengthening the unit. A clear purpose drives the session toward solutions and growth, helping both the counselor and the Soldier to stay engaged and motivated. It also prevents wasted time by keeping the session focused on what really matters. Soldiers are more likely to take the session seriously when the purpose is clear, and they can see how it directly relates to their responsibilities, goals, or well-being.

Second, Flexibility in counseling means the ability to adapt the approach based on the specific needs of the Soldier and the unique situation at hand. No single counseling method fits every individual or scenario. An effective counselor can recognize when a Soldier responds better to a more directive style versus a more collaborative, open-ended conversation. Flexibility also means being willing to adjust plans, communication styles, or even the tone of the session in order to meet the Soldier where they are emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Flexibility is essential because Soldiers are diverse in their backgrounds, experiences, and challenges. A rigid, one-size-fits-all counseling approach often fails to connect with Soldiers and can lead to missed opportunities for growth. By remaining flexible, a counselor can better address complex or changing situations and keep the Soldier engaged in the process. Flexibility also shows empathy and leadership maturity, demonstrating that the counselor is truly committed to finding the best solution for that specific Soldier, rather than just checking a box.

Third, Respect in counseling means genuinely valuing the Soldier as both a person and a professional. It involves listening carefully, withholding judgment, and treating the Soldier with dignity throughout the counseling session. Respect is shown through actions like active listening, maintaining appropriate body language, and giving the Soldier the opportunity to speak openly without fear of ridicule or dismissal. A respectful counselor creates a safe environment where honest conversation can take place.

Respect is the foundation of trust in the counseling relationship. When Soldiers feel respected, they are more likely to be honest about their challenges, more receptive to feedback, and more committed to following through on agreed-upon actions. Without respect, counseling can quickly become ineffective, as Soldiers may feel belittled, misunderstood, or resistant to the process. Respect empowers Soldiers to take ownership of their growth and reinforces the counselor’s role as a supportive leader rather than an authoritarian figure.

Fourth, Communication...

In this episode, we aren't going to just ask and answer a bunch of questions about ATP 6-22.1. No, we are going to focus on questions that are at a difficulty level that every SPC should be able to answer.

The episode is broken into 4 chapters:

The Pre-Test

The Lesson

The Re-Test

Repetition

Feel free to jump into the Pre-Test, and if you know everything, skip to the next difficulty level. If you want to know more about a question, stick around for the Lesson, where we will teach you what everything means. Then we'll re-evaluate at the Re-Test, and help you have it down consciously and sub-consciously in the Repetition chapter.

The questions we are going over are:

What are the three main approaches to counseling?

What is the directive approach to counseling?

What is the non-directive approach to counseling?

What must Army leaders understand about effective counseling?

What form is used for developmental counseling sessions?

Which Army Regulation explains counseling requirements for NCOERs?

Which Army publication covers counseling?

Why should leaders make counseling a regular part of leadership?

Name some examples of event counseling (there are 7).

What Army Regulation should be cited on a Adverse separation counseling?

In this episode, we aren't going to just ask and answer a bunch of questions about ATP 6-22.1. No, we are going to focus on questions that are at a difficulty level that every PFC should be able to answer.

The episode is broken into 4 chapters:

The Pre-Test

The Lesson

The Re-Test

Repetition

Feel free to jump into the Pre-Test, and if you know everything, skip to the next difficulty level. If you want to know more about a question, stick around for the Lesson, where we will teach you what everything means. Then we'll re-evaluate at the Re-Test, and help you have it down consciously and sub-consciously in the Repetition chapter.

The questions we are going over are:

What are the three main types of developmental counseling?

What are the five characteristics of an effective counselor?

What are the five qualities of an effective counselor?

What are the three essential counseling skills?

What are the four stages of the counseling process?

What does The Army's future and the legacy of today's Army leaders rest on?

Who must Leaders counsel for Promotion IAW with Army Regulations?

In this episode, we aren't going to just ask and answer a bunch of questions about ATP 6-22.1. No, we are going to focus on questions that are at a difficulty level that every PV2 should be able to answer.

The episode is broken into 4 chapters:

The Pre-Test

The Lesson

The Re-Test

Repetition

Feel free to jump into the Pre-Test, and if you know everything, skip to the next difficulty level. If you want to know more about a question, stick around for the Lesson, where we will teach you what everything means. Then we'll re-evaluate at the Re-Test, and help you have it down consciously and sub-consciously in the Repetition chapter.

The questions we are going over are:

What does documenting short and long term goals create?

Why is an Individual Development Plan (IDP) important?

What are the four parts of a counseling session?

What is the Army’s best method for developing future leaders?

What are the two important purposes of Reception and integration counseling?

What does performance counseling allow leaders to explain?

What should leaders focus on during performance counseling?

What is included in professional growth counseling?

In this episode, we aren't going to just ask and answer a bunch of questions about ATP 6-22.1. No, we are going to focus on questions that are at a difficulty level that every PVT should be able to answer.

The episode is broken into 4 chapters:

The Pre-Test

The Lesson

The Re-Test

Repetition

Feel free to jump into the Pre-Test, and if you know everything, skip to the next difficulty level. If you want to know more about a question, stick around for the Lesson, where we will teach you what everything means. Then we'll re-evaluate at the Re-Test, and help you have it down consciously and sub-consciously in the Repetition chapter.

The questions we are going over are:

What is counseling?

When is counseling mandatory?

What ensures Soldiers understand and consistently meet expectations?

What is the goal of crisis counseling?

What should happen if the Subordinate's performance is unsatisfactory because of a lack of knowledge or ability?

What should a Leader do when an individual has engaged in serious acts of misconduct?

What is performance counseling?

Situational questions are a big part of boards, so make sure you have them down solid.

Here is your question.

“You receive a phone call from your Soldier at 0600 on a Saturday morning. They say they woke up in a strange bed next to a stranger, and they believe they were drugged last night and don’t recall anything. How would you respond?”

Now, let’s talk through how to answer this question using a 3-step proven method. This approach shows board members that you know how to think like a leader. The format is: Step 1: Make sure the Soldier is safe and take care of them. Step 2: Handle it at the lowest level possible. Step 3: Use Army programs when applicable.

First, take care of the Soldier. In this situation, the Soldier could be in immediate danger. They are confused, possibly still under the influence of drugs, and unsure of what happened to them. The very first priority is to ensure they are safe. You should stay on the phone with the Soldier. Confirm their exact location and assess whether they feel safe where they are. If they are in any kind of immediate danger, help them call emergency services right away or get to a safe place. Try to get to their location, or at the very least get a nearby battle buddy that is closer to them. Even if they feel okay, arrange for someone you trust to pick them up immediately. Once they are in a safe location, encourage them not to shower, not to change clothes, and not to throw away anything from the scene. This preserves any forensic evidence. Encourage them to get a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam, or SAFE kit, as soon as possible, even if they aren’t sure whether they were assaulted. The exam is time sensitive. Taking care of the Soldier’s physical and emotional safety is the priority. Make sure they know they are not alone, they are supported, and they are believed. Offer to take them to a chaplain or behavioral health to get emotional support as well.

Second, handle it at the lowest level possible. You are the Soldier’s leader, and they called you first for a reason. You don’t need to immediately pass them off to someone else. Stay with the Soldier and support them through the next steps. This means informing them about their reporting options. Since you are their chain of command, they cannot have a restricted report, you must file an unrestricted report, you can help with that process. Since you are now aware of a potential sexual assault, you have an obligation to report the situation to your SHARP representative or law enforcement. You can also encourage the Soldier to speak with their SHARP representative to fully understand their options. However, at this point, your job is to support, not to force decisions. You should offer to accompany the Soldier to medical, to SHARP, or to wherever they need to go. Do not leave them to figure this out alone.

Third, use Army programs when applicable. This situation is exactly why the SHARP program exists. Connect them with the SHARP representative as soon as possible. Also, Behavioral Health is an essential support here. The Soldier may be dealing with trauma, fear, or confusion, and they need to know that Behavioral Health is a safe place. You can also offer the Chaplain’s support for confidential counseling. If the Soldier is under the influence of drugs, they may need medical attention quickly. Medical providers can test for substances and provide care, so make sure they get that care without delay. The Soldier needs to know about all the support available to them, and your leadership is key to guiding them through it.

This episode goes over the 6 protected categories as outlined in AR 600-20 Chapter 6, Equal Opportunity.

The 6 protected categories are Race, Color, Sex (including gender identity), National Origin, Religion, and Sexual Orientation.

Race refers to groups of people identified by shared physical characteristics, such as skin color or facial features, and the Army prohibits any unequal treatment based on these differences. Color specifically addresses discrimination based on the shade or tone of a person’s skin, which can even occur within the same racial group. Gender protection ensures Soldiers are not treated unfairly due to being male or female, and this includes preventing sexism and gender-based bias. National Origin relates to the country or cultural group a person or their ancestors came from, protecting Soldiers from prejudice based on their ethnic background or place of birth. Religion covers sincerely held spiritual beliefs and practices, requiring leaders to accommodate religious practices unless they interfere with mission readiness or safety. Sexual Orientation protects Soldiers from discrimination based on who they are romantically or sexually attracted to, ensuring fair treatment regardless of whether someone is heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. These six protected categories form the core of the Army’s EO program and are essential to maintaining a climate of dignity and respect.