Counseling

A counselor was a position aboard Starfleet vessels and installations, usually held by a senior Starfleet officer with training in psychology.

By the mid-24^th century, starship crews included a counselor, who was responsible for the mental well-being of the crew and civilian staff. The position was considered vital enough that it warranted inclusion in the senior staff of the Federation flagship; in that instance at least, the ship's counselor also had a diplomatic role, advising the captain in First Contact and other situations.

On large starships like the USS Theurgy, counseling was a separate department with a Chief Counselor, Assistant Chief Counselor, Rehabilitation Officers and Morale Officers. The number of commissioned crew determined the need for such an arrangement, where a single person impossibly could preform his or her duties for the sake of a crew as large as the Theurgy’s .

As with the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Counselor has the power to relieve other officers and crewmembers of duty if he or she feels that their patient is suffering from a condition that may hinder their ability to perform their duties effectively.

At the captain's discretion, officers in Counseling may be allowed to wear something other than their normal Starfleet uniform. Source: Memory Alpha