Approaches to Counseling — Nondirective, Directive, Combined
Treat Each Airman Individually
Individual Approach
An effective leader approaches each Airman as an individual.
Different Situations Different Approaches
Different people and different situations require different counseling approaches.
Three Approaches
3 Counseling Approaches
Three approaches to counseling:
- Nondirective
- Directive
- Combined
Major Difference
Major Difference
The major difference between the approaches to counseling is the degree to which the Airman participates and interacts during a counseling session.
Nondirective
Nondirective Preferred
The nondirective counseling approach is PREFERRED for most counseling sessions.
How Nondirective Works
How Nondirective Works
During the counseling session, the leader listens to the situation before helping the individual:
- Make decisions
- Giving advice
Encourage Exploration
Encourage Exploration
The leader encourages the Airman to explore and clarify important points to better understand the situation.
Leader Restraint
Leader Restraint
During nondirective counseling, the leader should refrain from providing solutions or rendering opinions.
Maintain Focus on Goals
Maintain Focus on Goals
Instead, maintain focus on individual and organizational goals and objectives, and ensure the Airman's plan of action aligns with those goals and objectives.
Nondirective Advantages
Nondirective Advantages.
- Encourages maturity
- Encourages open communication
- Develops personal responsibility
Nondirective Disadvantages
Nondirective Disadvantages.
- More time consuming
- Requires greatest counselor skills
Directive
Directive Use Case
The directive counseling approach works best to:
- Correct simple problems
- Make on-the-spot corrections
- Correct specific aspects of duty performance
How Directive Works
How Directive Works
The leader using the directive style directs a course of action for the Airman.
When Directive Is Best
When Directive Best
The directive approach is best when:
- Time is short
- The solution is clear
- An Airman has limited problem-solving skills and needs guidance
Directive Advantages
Directive Advantages.
- The quickest method
- Good for people who need clear, concise direction
- Allows counselors to actively use their experience
Directive Disadvantages
Directive Disadvantages.
- Does not encourage Airmen to be part of the solution
- May treat symptoms, not problems
- May discourage Airmen from talking freely
- The counselor provides the solution, not the Airman
Combined
Combined Definition
The combined counseling approach is a blend of both the directive and nondirective approaches, adjusting them to articulate what is best for the situation.
How Combined Works
How Combined Works
With the combined approach, the leader emphasizes the Airman's planning and decision-making responsibilities by:
- Listening
- Offering options
- Helping analyze possible solutions
- Encouraging the Airman to decide which solution is best
- Assisting with the development of a plan of action
Combined Advantages
Combined Advantages.
- Moderately quick
- Encourages maturity
- Encourages open communication
- Allows counselors to actively use their experience
Combined Disadvantages
Combined Disadvantages.
- May take too much time for some situations