The Definitive Ranking of Star Trek's Counseling Characters: Who Comes Out on Top?

Summary

Life on a starship can be stressful and traumatic, requiring the presence of a Counselor to keep the crew from breaking down.

In later Star Trek shows, the presence of Ship's Counselors increased as mental health became a more openly discussed subject. Deanna Troi, known for her empathic abilities and extensive training, stands out as the premier Ship's Counselor. She adeptly offers therapy and aids the crew in effectively navigating their own experiences.

Life on a starship in Star Trek can be incredibly stressful, demanding, and even traumatic. Therefore, it is not surprising that ships require a Counselor to ensure the well-being of the crew. While Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) may have been the first onscreen crew member with the title of ship's counselor in Star Trek: The Next Generation, there have been several others fulfilling a similar role. Originally, the Chief Medical Officer would act as a counselor when necessary before it became standard practice to have a counselor on starships.

During the premiere of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, mental health was not openly discussed. However, in the following decades, mental health became a more prominent topic, leading to an increase in the presence of Ship's Counselors in later Star Trek shows. Considering the unusual and often perilous adventures experienced by Starfleet officers, it is understandable that they would occasionally seek guidance from licensed mental health professionals. Here is a ranking of all 7 Star Trek Counselors, from worst to best.

7 Ensign Jack Crusher - Star Trek: Picard

6 Dr. Migleemo - Star Trek: Lower Decks

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Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), though not yet having the chance to serve as Special Counselor to Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), may not be a fair addition to this list. This role, which diverges from the traditional Ship's Counselor's focus on mental health, awaits his initiation. If the proposed Star Trek: Picard spin-off, Star Trek: Legacy, materializes, Crusher will have the opportunity to demonstrate his value to Starfleet and the newly commissioned USS Enterprise-G. Despite being unwittingly involved in the Borg/Changeling conspiracy to dismantle the Federation in Picard season 3, Jack performed admirably in his efforts to uphold what was right. Consequently, his presence on the Enterprise crew will be a significant asset.

Playing the role of Counselor aboard the USS Cerritos, Dr. Migleemo (portrayed by Paul F. Tompkins) faces the challenge of dealing with a myriad of strong personalities. Even Captain Carol Freeman (played by Dawnn Lewis) went so far as to send her daughter, Lt. Beckett Mariner (played by Tawny Newsome), to therapy sessions with Dr. Migleemo in order to find healthier outlets for her anger. Despite occasionally offering sound advice, Migleemo has a tendency to employ peculiar food analogies to convey his messages. Although not frequently seen conducting therapy sessions, Migleemo doesn't appear to excel as an effective counselor. In fact, he once assumed command of the Cerritos but primarily engaged in conversations with his mother via the main viewscreen.

5 Neelix - Star Trek: Voyager

4 Dr. Leonard McCoy - Star Trek: The Original Series

: The reception towards Neelix in Star Trek: Voyager has been a blend of opinions among fans. However, the Talaxian took his self-appointed role as the ship's Chief Morale Officer seriously, providing a much-needed pick-me-up for the crew during their long journey home in the Delta Quadrant. In a unique and unconventional role akin to a Ship's Counselor, Neelix strived to uplift the spirits of his fellow crew members. Additionally, Neelix assumed the responsibility of being Voyager's chef, although his culinary endeavors yielded mixed results. Some of the challenges surrounding the character of Neelix stemmed from his complex relationship with Kes. Nonetheless, following Kes's departure in season 4, Neelix underwent a captivating character transformation and was presented with more compelling storylines.

Serving as the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Enterprise, Dr. Leonard McCoy (portrayed by DeForest Kelley) worked under the command of Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) in Star Trek: The Original Series. Despite the absence of designated counselors on starships during the 23rd century, the medical doctors on board had the responsibility to address both physical and mental health issues. While Dr. McCoy consistently advocated for his patients with compassion, his bedside manner was not always the most comforting. Given that TOS was produced and filmed in the 1960s, it often lacked the subtlety required to tackle matters related to mental health. Although Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock (portrayed by Leonard Nimoy) occasionally confided in Dr. McCoy regarding their own struggles, his abilities as a counselor remained somewhat questionable.

3 Lt. Ezri Dax - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

2 Dr. Hugh Culber - Star Trek: Discovery

Following the tragic death of Lt. Commander Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) at the hands of a Pah-Wraith in the sixth season finale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the Dax symbiote found a new Trill host named Ezri (Nicole de Boer). However, the crew of Deep Space Nine was still in mourning for Jadzia when Ezri arrived, which made it challenging for her to find her place on the station. Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) assigned her the role of station counselor, but it took time for her to establish herself in this position. With the Dominion War dominating the storyline of DS9's seventh season, Ezri found herself primarily engaged in war-related missions or providing assistance in the war effort. While she often found herself in unfamiliar and challenging situations, Ezri offered wise counsel whenever she had the opportunity.

Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) serves as the USS Discovery's Chief Medical Officer and Counselor, spanning across both the 23rd and 32nd centuries. Not only is he a highly intelligent and skilled doctor, but he is also an incredibly compassionate and empathetic individual. Dr. Culber possesses a strong moral compass, fearlessly standing up for his beliefs and wholeheartedly adhering to his oath to do no harm. Upon the Discovery's exile 930 years into the future, Dr. Culber played a crucial role in assisting the crew members in coping with their new lives in the unfamiliar 32nd century and the profound loss of their loved ones left behind. His unique ability to fulfill both the roles of a doctor and a therapist elevates the significance of his position as the ship's counselor.

1 Counselor Deanna Troi - Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Picard

Deanna Troi, the first Ship's Counselor introduced in Star Trek, is widely regarded as the best. With her Betazoid heritage, Troi possesses the remarkable ability to intuitively sense the emotions of others, making her an exceptional therapist. Beyond her counseling skills, Troi is also an extensively trained Starfleet officer and psychologist. Throughout her tenure on the USS Enterprise-D, Troi actively advises Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), aiding in the identification of potential adversaries concealing crucial information. In addition, she conducts counseling sessions for the ship's crew members, helping them process the myriad of extraordinary experiences they encounter.

Remarkably, Troi's role extends far beyond counseling, as she actively participates in away missions and periodically assumes command of the ship. Although the writers of TNG occasionally faced challenges in developing her character, Deanna Troi unequivocally demonstrates her prowess as both a therapist and a Starfleet officer. In Star Trek: Picard season 3, she continues to serve as a counselor, contributing to the discovery of hidden Borg DNA in Jack Crusher's brain and assisting Data (Brent Spiner) in navigating his newfound humanity. Ideally, we will witness the return of Counselor Troi in future Star Trek endeavors, affording her more opportunities to shine.