Aside from the actual counseling, you will need to take take the following steps: 1. 2. 3. Determine which of the following counseling approaches is appropriate: a. DIRECTIVE. A directive approach offers information and referral resources to a counselee who has to cope with some external situation, such as a legal or budget problem. b. NONDIRECTIVE. A nondirective approach uses questioning and feedback techniques to help a counselee find his or her own solutions to personal difficulties such as alcohol abuse or poor performance. Record the counseling session. Follow-up, make sure the problem is being resolved. FINANCIAL COUNSELING The Navy lifestyle can create special and unique financial concerns as a result of the following situations: Frequent moves Family separations Deployments Fluctuations in pay Financial problems are a leading cause of personnel stress and family dysfunction in all branches of the military. Service members who don’t pay their just debts are viewed by their supervisors as acting in an irresponsible manner. That is particularly true when their bad debts become a subject of official correspondence or when preoccupation with financial difficulties results in decreased job productivity. Financial problems can have detrimental effects on a person’s Navy career that result in the following: Disciplinary action Loss of security clearance Lower evaluation marks Lack of promotions Denial of special assignments Administrative or dishonorable discharge The Personal Financial Management Education, Training, and Counseling Program is outlined in OPNAVINST 1740.5. This program emphasizes personal financial responsibility and accountability by providing basic principles and practices of sound money management, counseling tools, and referral services. The provisions of this instruction apply to all active-duty and Reserve personnel. Each Regular and Reserve command having 25 or more active-duty enlisted personnel will have a trained command financial specialist (CFS). The CFS will coordinate the program and assist in providing financial information, training, and counseling to command members. Commands having less than 25 active-duty enlisted personnel are encouraged to have a trained CFS. All commands should conduct personal financial management (PFM) training and provide counseling. PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING You should counsel your subordinates or peers on how well they do their jobs at two specific times. First, counsel them when their performance is above what is expected. Second, counsel them when it is below what is expected. Counseling demonstrates to your people that you care about their welfare and the quality of their work. When done properly counseling will improve morale. Periodic counseling of your subordinates will help you spot potential problems before they develop into a situation that presents uncertainty, perplexity, or difficulty. Your subordinates and peers may be hesitant about asking for your advice on such personal matters as marital or financial problems. Make sure your people are aware of the helping resources available. Provide information on various helping resources through division training sessions, Plan of the Day notes, and at quarters. Let them know that you will help them find the appropriate helping resources. Navy personnel and their dependents can find helping resources through the central offices that coordinate Navywide assistance activities as well as through local offices. As a good supervisor, encourage your people to use the helping resources at the lowest level possible to solve their problems. The following is a list of helping resources provided by the Navy: 3-12