ATP 6-22.1 The Counseling Process

Question 1

What publication covers the counseling process?

Answer 1

ATP 6-22.1

Question 2

What are the three principle ways that leaders have to develop others?

Answer 2

By counseling, coaching, and mentoring (FM 6-22, para 7-60; ADRP 6-22,
para 7-59)

Question 3

What is meant by “counseling”?

Answer 3

The process used by leaders to review with a subordinate the subordinate’s
demonstrated performance and potential. (ATP 6-22.1, chap 1 intro)

Question 4

What are the three major categories of developmental counseling?

Answer 4

(ATP 6-22.1, para 1-3)
1. Event counseling – covers a specific event or situation. Examples include:
• Specific instances of superior or substandard performance
• Reception and integration counseling
• Crisis counseling
• Referral counseling
• Promotion counseling
• Transition counseling
• Adverse separation counseling
2. Performance counseling – review of a subordinate’s duty performance during a specified period. Performance
objectives and clear standards for the next counseling period should be jointly established. Should focus on
subordinate’s strength’s, areas to improve, and potential.
3. Professional growth counseling – includes planning for the accomplishment of individual and professional
goals, sometimes referred to as a “pathway to success.”

Question 5

What actions should be taken when counseling a subordinate for a specific performance?

Answer 5

(ATP 6-22.1, para 1-7)
• Explain the purpose of the counseling – what was expected, and how the subordinate failed to meet the
standard.
• Remain neutral.
• Address and explain the specific behavior or action – do not address the subordinate’s character.
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• Explain the effect of the behavior, action, or performance on the rest of the organization.
• Actively listen to the subordinate’s responses.
• If failing to meet the standard, teach the subordinate how to meet the standard and recognize patterns of
behavior that may keep the subordinate from meeting the standard.
• Be prepared to do some personal counseling, since a failure to meet the standard may be related to or be the
result of an unresolved personal issue.
• Explain to the subordinate how developing an individual development plan will improve performance and
identify specific responsibilities in implementing the plan. Continue to assess and follow up on the subordinate’s
progress. Adjust the plan as necessary.

Question 6

What is the main focus of crisis counseling?

Answer 6

The subordinate’s short-term needs. It includes getting a Soldier through a period of shock after receiving negative
news, such as the notification of the death of a loved one. (ATP 6-22.1, para 1-10)

Question 7

In order to be effective counselors, Army leaders must demonstrate what five qualities?

Answer 7

Respect for subordinates, self-awareness, cultural awareness, empathy, and credibility. (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-4)

Question 8

Effective counselors must possess what three basic counseling skills?

Answer 8

Active listening, responding, and appropriate questioning. (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-8)

Question 9

What is meant by “active listening?”

Answer 9

It implies listening thoughtfully and deliberately to capture nuances of the subordinate’s language. (ATP 6-22.1, para
2-9)

Question 10

Name some of the key elements of active listening.

Answer 10

(ATP 6-22.1, para 2-10)
• Eye contact – Maintaining eye contact without staring helps show sincere interest. Occasional breaks of eye
contact are normal and acceptable, while excessive breaks, paper shuffling, clock-watching, and repeated
mobile telephone checks may indicate a lack of interest or concern.
• Body posture – Being relaxed and comfortable will help put the subordinate at ease. However, an overly
relaxed position or slouching may be interpreted as a lack of interest.
• Head nods – Occasional nodding indicates attention and encourages the subordinate to continue.
• Facial expressions – Keep facial expressions natural and relaxed to signal a sincere interest.
• Verbal expressions – Refrain from talking too much and avoid interrupting.
• Check for understanding – Paraphrase or summarize points back to the subordinate for confirmation

Question 11

List some of the nonverbal indicators of a leader or subordinate’s attitude.

Answer 11

(ATP 6-22.1, para 2-11)
• Interest, friendliness, and openness – leaning toward the subordinate could be interpreted as expressing
interest (positive) or being aggressive (negative). This will be situation-dependent.
• Self-confidence – standing tall, leaning back with hands behind the head, and maintaining steady eye contact.
• Anxiety – sitting on the edge of the chair with arms uncrossed and hands open.
• Boredom – drumming on the table, doodling, clicking a ballpoint pen, or resting the head in the palm of the
hand.
• Defensiveness – pushing deeply into a chair, glaring, or making sarcastic comments as well as crossing or
folding arms in front of the chest.
• Frustration – rubbing eyes, pulling on an ear, taking short breaths, wringing the hands, or frequently changing
total body position.

Question 12

Although focused questioning is an important skill, counselors should use it with caution. Why is this?

Answer 12

Too many questions can aggravate the power differential between a leader and a subordinate and place the subordinate
in a passive mode. (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-14)

Question 13

List some of the more common counseling errors/mistakes that are made by counselors.

Answer 13

(ATP 6-22.1, para 2-15)
• Dominating the counseling by talking too much
• Giving unnecessary or inappropriate advice
• Not truly listening
• Projecting biases, and prejudices
• Rash judgments
• Stereotyping
• Loss of emotional control
• Inflexible counseling methods
• Improper follow-up

Question 14

Effective Army leaders make use of a four-stage counseling process. What are these four stages?

Answer 14

(ATP 6-22.1, para 2-24)

1. Identify the need for counseling
2. Prepare for counseling
3. Conduct the counseling session
4. Follow-up

Question 15

What are the seven steps in PREPARING for counseling?

Answer 15

(ATP 6-22.1, para 2-27)

1. Select a suitable place
2. Schedule the time
3. Notify the subordinate well in advance
4. Outline the components of the counseling session
5. Organize information and draft a plan of action
6. Plan the counseling strategy
7. Establish the right atmosphere

Question 16

The amount of time scheduled for a counseling session should be appropriate for the complexity of the issue at
hand, but should generally last about how long?

Answer 16

Less than one hour. (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-29)

Question 17

Counseling is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. An effective leader approaches each subordinate as an individual.
Different people and different situations require different counseling approaches. What are the three different
approaches to counseling?

Answer 17

Directive, nondirective, and combined (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-34)

Question 18

How would you summarize the major difference between the above approaches to counseling?

Answer 18

The degree to which the subordinate participates and interacts during a counseling session. (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-36)

Question 19

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three approaches to counseling?

Answer 19

(ATP 6-22.1, Table 2-1)
• Directive
• Advantages: quickest method; good for those needing clear, concise direction; allows counselors to use
their experience
• Disadvantages: does not encourage subordinates to be part of the solution; treats symptoms, not issues;
tends to discourage subordinates from talking freely; solution is the counselor’s, not the subordinate’s
• Nondirective
• Advantages: encourages maturity; encourages open communication; develops personal responsibility
• Disadvantages: more time-consuming; requires greatest counselor skills
• Combined
• Advantages: moderately quick; encourages maturity; encourages open communication; allows counselors to use their experience
• Disadvantages: may take too much time for some situations

Question 20

Name two techniques that can be used during the directive approach to counseling.

Answer 20

Corrective training and commanding (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-36)

Question 21

Name four techniques that can be used during the nondirective or combined approaches to counseling.

Answer 21

Suggesting alternatives, recommending, persuading, and advising (ATP 6-22.1, para 2-35)

Question 22

Name the four basic components for conducting a counseling session.

Answer 22

(ATP 6-22.1, para 2-40)

1. Opening the session
2. Discuss the issues
3. Develop a plan of action
4. Record and close the session

Question 23

What are the two steps during the follow-up stage of counseling?

Answer 23

(ATP 6-22.1, Table 2-2)

1. Support plan of action implementation
2. Assess the plan of action