Which counseling strategy is characterized by encouraging maturity and personal responsibility?

The counseling strategy that encourages maturity and personal responsibility is non-directive counseling. This approach centers on empowering individuals to uncover their own solutions and insights, fostering a sense of ownership over their personal growth and decision-making. Non-directive counseling emphasizes the importance of the counselor's support without imposing their own opinions or solutions, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace.

By facilitating a safe space where clients feel free to express themselves, this strategy nurtures self-discovery and promotes the development of personal responsibility. As clients begin to understand their experiences and the consequences of their decisions, they gain maturity and confidence in their ability to navigate life's challenges.

In contrast, directive counseling involves the counselor providing specific guidance and solutions, which can limit the client’s personal exploration and responsibility. A combined approach might offer a mix of both directive and non-directive techniques, but it does not exclusively focus on fostering personal responsibility to the same extent. Counterproductive strategies are those that hinder the counseling process or worsen the situation, which clearly does not align with the goal of encouraging maturity and responsibility.