Prepare for your Army NCO board or promotion with these counseling practice questions. This guide covers the four stages of counseling, DA Form 4856, and effective counseling techniques.

Q: What is counseling?

Answer: Counseling is the process used by leaders to review with a subordinate the subordinate’s demonstrated performance and potential.

Q: What are some techniques leaders may use during the directive approach to counseling?

Answer: Corrective Training and Commanding

Q: What are the three approaches to counseling?

Answer: Directive, Non-Directive, and Combined

Q: What FM covers Counseling?

Answer: FM 6-22 Apx B

Q: What are the characteristics of effective counseling?

Answer: Purpose, Flexibility, Respect, Communication, and Support

Q: What are the three major categories of developmental counseling?

Answer: Event, Performance, and Professional Growth

Q: What are the 4 stages of the Counseling Process?

Answer: Identify the need for counseling.Prepare for counseling.Conduct counseling.Follow up.

Q: A counseling session consists of what 4 basic components?

Answer: Opening the session.Discussing the issues.Developing the plan of action.Recording and closing the session.

Q: What are some counseling techniques leaders may explore during the nondirective or combined counseling approaches?

Answer: Suggesting AlternativesRecommendingPersuadingAdvising

Q: Leaders should seek to develop and improve what three leader counseling skills?

Answer: Active ListeningRespondingQuestioning

Q: What are the qualities of an effective counselor?

Answer: Respect for subordinatesSelf-awarenessCultural awarenessEmpathyCredibility

Q: When is the directive approach in counseling most likely to be used?

Answer: When time is short, when the LEADER knows what to do, when the counseled soldier has limited problem-solving abilities.

Q: What are the stresses that influence behavior?

Answer: FearHungerIllnessAnxietyFatigue

Q: What course of action should a supervisor take when a subordinate has been performing below his/her usual standards?

Answer: Counsel about substandard performance.Attempt to define the problem with the soldier.Afford opportunity and time to solve the problem.Make a written statement of counseling

Q: Name some good conditions that make for good discipline

Answer: High performance standardsLoyalty to superiors and subordinatesCompetitive activitiesTough trainingOpen channel of communications

Q: What are the steps required to prepare for counseling?

Answer: Select a suitable place.Schedule the time.Notify the subordinate well in advance.Organize information.Outline the counseling session components.Plan your counseling strategy.Establish the right atmosphere.