The Counseling Process Lesson Plan 158 DSA 0002

The Counseling Process Lesson Plan 158 -DSA 0002

Your Experience with Counseling • What has been your best experience with counseling? • What has been your worst experience with counseling? • How do these experiences affect your ability to counsel junior Soldiers who really need it?

Terminal Learning Objective (TLO) Action: Conduct the counseling process. Conditions: As a candidate at the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy, given experiential learning activities and access to references ADP 6 -22, ATP 6 -22. 1, and AR 600 -23, discussion with peers and instructor feedback, and reflection time. Standard: • Apply all four stages of the counseling process in the correct sequence. • Identify the three approaches to counseling. • Complete all four parts of DA Form 4856 Developmental Counseling Form. Learning Domain: Cognitive Level of Learning: Application

Four Stages of Counseling Stage 4 Stage 3 Stage 2 Stage 1 Identify the need for counseling. Prepare for the counseling. Conduct the counseling. Follow-up as needed.

Stage 1: Identify the Need for Counseling. • Required evaluation or command-directed counseling • Counsel whenever focused, two-way communication aimed at the subordinate’s development is needed

Stage 2: Prepare for the Counseling. • Select a suitable place. • Schedule the time. • Notify the subordinate well in advance. • Outline the counseling session components. • Organize information and draft a plan of action. • Plan the counseling strategy. • Establish the right atmosphere.

Directive, Nondirective, and Combined Approaches Counseling techniques that leaders may explore with nondirective or combined approaches include: • Suggesting alternatives • Recommending • Persuading • Advising Techniques to use during the directive approach include: • Corrective training • Commanding

Stage 3: Conduct the Counseling. • Open the session. • Discuss the issues. • Develop a plan of action. • Record and close the session.

Parts of DA Form 4856 • Part I – Administrative Data • Part II – Background Information • Part III – Summary of the Counseling and Plan of Action • Part IV – Assessment of Plan of Action

Stage 4: Follow-up as Needed. • Support subordinate in implementing the plan. • Provide additional time, referrals, and other appropriate resources if needed. • Continue to teach, coach, and mentor. • Modify the initial plan of action, if needed, to meet its goals. • Assess the plan of action.

Questions

Practical Exercise (PE) • What are the Top 5 reasons trainees receive a DA Form 4856 counseling during Basic Combat Training (BCT)? • Of the Top 5, each group will select one topic. • As a group, you will develop a counseling using DA Form 4856. • Be prepared to explain your actions as a counselor during all four stages of the counseling process. • Share your counseling form with the class.

Summary The four-stage counseling process: • Stage 1 - Identify the need for counseling • Stage 2 - Prepare for counseling • Stage 3 - Conduct counseling • Stage 4 - Follow-up

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