Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in Main Sim -Assembly Room 1b - Cross’s lecture

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim -Assembly Room 1b - Cross’s lecture
[snip]

Another click of the button the words on the screen changed,the CMO stood quiet letting those present read what was written for themselves.

==A counselor is a title given to an individual who interacts with another individual to identify and respond to specific needs of another individual, in terms of medicine or psychology, for the purpose of therapy or even indoctrination==

== Responsible for the emotional well-being of the ship’s crew are called counselors. A counselor’s duties included providing individual guidance and advice to crew members, as well as periodic crew performance evaluations, usually performed with the ship’s executive officer or other department heads. A counselor is also expected to provide advice to the ship’s captain on command decisions==

Jasper calmly moved back down the steps and back to his seat as he read the new displays. As he took a seat as he continued to watch the CMO do her things that she needed to do. As he briefly looked at the doctor next to him making sure she was ok. As he focused himself for the rest of the presentation.

William straightened up as he listened to the Doctors talk. He was truly intrigued with her discussion, having an actual person just for the purpose of psychology was an interesting thought.

Cross could see high ranking officers and tutors at the back, the aim of the lecture was more for them then the Cadets. It would ultimately be their decision whether to decide that a counselor was undoubtedly needed on every Star Fleet ship in the near future.

Clinical and counseling psychologists can offer a range of professional services, including.....

== Providing psychological treatment (psychotherapy)
Administering and interpreting psychological assessment and testing
Conducting psychological research
Teaching
Developing prevention programs
Consulting
Program administration
Providing expert testimony ==

The screen brought up the last remaining expertise of a counselor, emphasizing the unquestionable skill, proficiency, competence and knowledge of this profession .

‘’That’s about it ‘’Cross announced ‘’Thank you ladies and gentleman for your time’‘.

Is that an hour gone already? thought John Glen. The time has flown by!

A hand went up by one of the red squad cadets “..A question ma’am?” he asked.

‘’Yes Cadet?’‘ Cross asked, while no tricoder would ever be able to translate the words in her own language going through her mind at that moment.

Tinga had thought the beginnings of the lecture were messy until she understood the subject matter. Personally, she wasn’t sold on the idea of a Counselor but it might be useful in ways she wasn’t aware of.

William looked at the red squad Cadet. He hadn’t spent much time at the Academy but he was aware of their great skill and status at the Academy. He was curious what his thought was on this subject.

At this point Cross wondered if the Cadet had lost his voice ‘’Speak up..I don’t have all day you know!’‘ the CMO exclaimed.

Clearing his throat the cadet finally got his voice, “..Sorry ma’am, it’s just an honor to speak to heroes such as yourselves, we in red squad have heard so much of some of your missions. Um, anyhow my question is related to staffing given the expansion of Starfleet’s exploration programs in the past few years would not staffing crew for counseling efforts like you describe put a strain on HR and Command protocols?” he inquired.

Cross did not hesitate to respond ‘’If there is a problem yes it would but in the long run it would have been worth it and everyone knows where he /she stands’‘ she paused long enough to think ‘’And no.... I’m far from being a hero for if a counselor existed on our ship the Captain would have kicked me into his office a long time ago’‘ the doctor replied with a hint of humor in her tone.

Then went on ‘’Why should there be Cadet? Unless ‘’ the CMO looked around those present finally fixing her eyes on the crew of the Merrimack’‘Unless some are not quite enthusiastic with being probed psychologically’‘.

‘’A Counselor, is responsible for the mental well-being of the crew and civilian staff if any. The position should be considered vital enough that it warranted inclusion in the senior staff in that instance at least, the ship’s Counselor also had a diplomatic role, advising the captain in first contacts and other situations

‘’As with the chief medical officer, the ship’s Counselor has the power to relieve other officers and crew members 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, including the ships captain’‘.

‘’It is possible that someone who is exhibiting a psychological condition could be due to some thing organic in nature, thus the importance of both branches incorporated to work in collaboration’‘.

Jasper Raised his hand next after the first was finished. As he waited to be recognized patiently.

Being in one of the front seats the engineer was hard to miss ‘’Yes Ericson?’‘ Cross asked.

One question. Doctor? How long would an emplimentation take tp get things set for this Counseling Services?” Jasper asked calmly to her. Being serious as possible

‘’That is for the academy to decide I have no say in it what so ever and there is nothing I can do about it’‘ Cross responded back ‘’Though I did my best to persuade with rational, for the power of the mind to think, understand and form judgements logically’‘.

She looked around ‘’Anymore questions before I step down?’‘ the CMO asked .

“I have a question,” said Captain John Glen. “I see the advantages of a Counsellor from a Human Resources point of view. Schools and Colleges have Student Counsellors. Workplaces have Mental Health First Aiders. No reason why a Starship shouldn’t have something similar; a Starship on a five-year-mission, even more so. I do not question that. However, you said that the Counsellor should be a senior staff member with powers to relieve crew from duty and to meet first contacts. I don’t see the need for that. Psychiatry already has too much influence; the power psychiatrists have is already too great, and their treatments often controversial. Some psychiatric treatments have been seen to be ultimately more damaging than helpful to patients. Speaking as a Captain, I certainly question the need for such sweeping powers to be given to an officer who isn’t in the Command position.”

‘’In my opinion a counselor has at least be a high ranking officer,though shall not surpass the Captain and first officer. Keep in mind that such a person would be an added bonus and not a hindrance .Ultimately it would be the Captain as to whether he would take any advice or not but if something happens and the counselor observe any crew member who is a acting irrationally and may be a threat to himself and/or others he has the power to voice his concerns .In such a scenario ,he shall definitely not act alone others would be have to be involved and agree on the desirable action to take for the benefit of that person .’‘

‘’I do not know exactly what you mean by first contacts …if its a physiological evaluation ,just like the mandatory medical one then yes it is needed ‘’ Cross paused biting the inside of her cheek while deep in thought ‘’If on the other hand you meant when finding a new civilization its obvious that the Captain has the authority to act as he /she deem fit, to answer your last question there is a difference between a counselor and a psychiatrist whereupon a counselor does not have the power to prescribe drugs ‘’ the doctor hoped she had addressed all the issues put forward by Glen.

“Well… maybe I misunderstood your description of how it would work, as it sounded like, not just therapy, but even indoctrination… and I could never work with someone second-guessing my decisions based upon perceived emotional states and psychology, or even just a constant supply of good intentioned advice and guidance. The mental health and well-being of crew and guests is one thing, but the diplomatic role doesn’t sit well with me either. Those are command decisions. I guess I’m just an old-fashioned Captain?”

-Glen, CO

With a steady gaze Cross replied ‘’Captain I have been on the Merrimack long enough to know that you would go back even in perilous situation to your well being for any crew member left behind,irrespective of his/her rank and for that I appreciate, cherish, value and admire you.... old fashion as you might think you are’‘.

The CMO had nothing more to add,whatever she passed on would now be in the hands of others and for future Star Fleet generations. She stepped down,momentarily whispering something to marthese and walked along the aisle to exit the lecture room.As she neared Glen, a small smile formed at the corner of her mouth ‘’Captain’‘ the CMO gave him a quick salute before leaving......... closing the door behind her.

Cross CMO.

Jasper stood up and left the lecture more dismayed as ever after the seemly shotty reception of the new possibility of a counselor. He did not care if this meeting was over or now. But he left quietly.

Ensign Jasper Ericson Jo Engineer