Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary counseling skills?

The correct choice reflects an understanding of the primary counseling skills essential for effective communication in a counseling context. Active listening, responding, and appropriate questioning are indeed fundamental skills employed during counseling sessions.

Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, and responding to what the other person is saying, thereby ensuring the counselor can accurately grasp the needs and feelings of the individual being counseled. Responding encompasses giving feedback that reflects understanding and encourages further dialogue, while appropriate questioning is about asking questions that facilitate exploration and clarification, guiding the individual towards deeper insights and self-discovery.

Assertive confrontation, while a valuable skill in some situations, does not fit within the primary counseling skills framework. It is more of an advanced technique that may be used in specific contexts where directness and honesty about a problematic behavior or situation are necessary. In contrast, the foundational skills of active listening, responding, and appropriate questioning focus on establishing rapport, understanding, and supporting the individual, making them central to effective counseling practice.