Summary
WithinStar Trek’s Starfleet there are a number of important crew positions. For instance, inThe Original Series,Lt. Nyota Uhuraworked as the communications officer and analyzed single intelligence, translated multiple languages, and operated as a linguistic cryptography expert. The secretly genetically engineered Julian Bashir served as the chief medical officer inDeep Space Nine,where he was in charge of the sickbay and oversaw the medical department as well as the health and well-being of the crew. Another example isGeordi La Forgewho was the chief engineering officer inThe Next Generation, where he oversaw engineering personnel and would advise the captain on solutions to technical problems. Of course, there are other characters who fill these positions and even more positions within Starfleet. However, perhaps one that is overlooked is the role of the ship’s counselor.
The position of counselor was first introduced inThe Next Generation,withDeanna Troi, a Betazoid-Human hybrid. Being half-Betazoid, Troi had the ability not only to sense the feelings of her crewmates, but other alien races the crew encountered as well. Empathetic and with psychological expertise, Troi was an asset for the crew and a standout chatacter. Although the position of counselor was sometimes combined with chief medical officer, such was the case with Dr. McCoy, it was a vital position. So exactly did Troi and the other counselors do, and why was their position so important to the ship?
Counselors Treated the Mental Well-Being of the Crew and Civilians
Despite the Federation’s utopian status, problems still emerge. Birth, death, sickness, interpersonal problems, and family struggles still exist, even in outer space, As a result, counselors within Starfleet work with their patients, either crew or civilians, to help manage difficult emotional and mental challenges. They meet with patients to conduct talk therapy, discuss the challenges they are currently facing, and figure out solutions. Due to the pressures of extended space travel, counselors were necessary to meet those specific needs with professional care. For instance, inThe Next GenerationSeason 5, Episode 10, whenWorf’s son Alexandercomes to live on the Enterprise and starts acting out and advises Worf on ways to better communicate with his son. Like many good counselors, Troi does not overly assert her advice, but rather gives her patients to space necessary for them to make their own choices. Even when Troi loses her empathetic abilities in Season 4, Episode 10 “The Loss”, she still proves to be an excellent counselor.Dr. Hugh CulberonDiscoveryandLt. Ezri DraxonDeep Space Ninewere similarly warm. Dr. Migleemo fromLower Decks, while capable of giving out good advice from time to time, is shown to be a largely ineffective counselor. Although mental health has historically been an undervalued side of medicine, mental strain can weigh as much on a person as physical strain. A counselor shows that a Starfleet crew is a community and the needs of everyone in that community should be looked like and cared for with empathy, dignity, and respect.
Counselors Would Advise Captains
When they weren’t lending a sympathetic ear or accessing the mental and emotional needs of the crew and civilians, counselors would sometimes give guidance to their captains, particularly regarding first contact missions.Picard trusted Troiin matters of diplomacy, in large part because she had the ability to sense if someone was hiding something. Troi even went on away missions with the crew and, from time to time, took command. However, this appears to be relatively uncommon when compared to the rest ofStar Trek. InDeep Space NineSeason 6, Episode 25 “The Sound of Her Voice”, both Dr. Lisa Cusak and Miles O’Brien discuss how they prefer the counsel of their friends rather than a designated counselor. Even so, Troi regularly being on the bridge is an illustration of how, withinStar Trek, mental health work has ceased to be marginalized. Instead, it is valued to the point of having applications outside of therapy.
WhenStar Trekfirst debuted in the 1960s, discussions of mental health were not as commonplace as they are now. However, the inclusion of a trusted counselor to serve as a mental health professional aboard a starship where stressful events regularly occur makes more than a little bit of sense. Dr. Culber helped his crew adjust to life 930 years into the future.Neelix may have beenVoyager’s self-appointed Chief Morale Officer, but he understood that his marooned crew needed cheering up from time to time. A ship is only as good as its crew and its crew needs to be in optimal shape to be able to perform. Although not all counselors were trusted with the same diplomatic duties as Troi, the position illustrates that those manning the ship don’t just care for their physical safety, but their mentall well-being as well.
Star Trek
Star Trek is a space exploration franchise originally created by Gene Roddenberry. The series has spanned shows like The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Voyager. More recently, developer Scopely came out with Star Trek Fleet Command, a mobile title where you get to be captain of your own ship.
