What should a counselor avoid during a session to maintain professionalism?

To maintain professionalism during a counseling session, a counselor should avoid disclosing personal life details or opinions that could influence the Marine's decisions. By keeping the focus on the Marine's experiences and feelings, the counselor preserves the integrity of the counseling relationship. Personal disclosures can shift the session's dynamics, making it more about the counselor and less about the Marine's needs, potentially leading to bias in the Marine's decision-making process. This ensures that the counsel provided is objective and supports the Marine's growth without introducing external opinions or biases.

Offering general feedback on the Marine's progress, asking open-ended questions, and validating the Marine's feelings are all practices that support a helpful and professional counseling environment. These approaches encourage engagement, self-reflection, and emotional validation, which are essential for effective counseling.