In my short time as a counselor on this ship, I have had the opportunity to observe the two main types of coping methods used by most beings in the universe, problem and emotion-based.
Emotion-based coping is the most common, especially when it comes to human coping. Humans seek first to take care of their own feelings especially when they either don’t want to change their situation or when circumstances are out of their control. This is common when they are in love and know the person does not feel the same way. This type of coping is also common when they are grieving the loss of a loved one. They often tend to ignore or suppress the logical solutions, or they persevere through the circumstance to deal with it emotionally. They are a species who are not well versed in the control of their emotions and few of them lack the ability to cope using rational problem-solving. Therefore, they are often reactive instead of productive especially when they realize they have very little power to change their present circumstance.
Problem-based coping is the most effective when a situation needs to be changed. This type of coping has been mastered among beings with telepathic abilities. An advantage that most humans do not have, nor me being one-half of two species who only cope using their emotions. However, I have undergone the mind-meld with my Vulcan husband and have gained as well as possess his and his species’ superior sense of cogent knowledge and skill in problem-based coping. This has not changed me, I am still who I am and was, but it has enhanced my ability effectively to counsel the crew of this ship. I have learned that problem-based coping targets the cause of stress in a practical way and is the most effective strategy to reduce it.
Even so, after studying the coping methods of multiple beings I can conclude that there isn’t always one best way to proceed. Sometimes problem-based coping is not sensible, and the only sufficient coping can be achieved through emotional coping.

My job is to help my patients decide which type of coping skill is likely to work best for them in their particular circumstances. Consequently, in conclusion, I will infer that it would be important to use both coping skills to help relieve any distress that comes with being an officer in Starfleet, but the method by which one does cope shouldn’t be about constantly distracting from reality.

Halcyone, Counselor