Indeed. It doesn't happen too often, but the writers occasionally remembered to do something useful with her empath powers, like in the Samaritan ep where she's the first one to clock that the Pakled's are up to something. Ofc this comes a few minutes after Worf says something like "bro we really want to send Geordi over there?" and Riker's like "look at these dipshits he's gonna be fine" and then Troi is the one that figures it out. So must have been opposite day in the writer's room or something.

Ah yes valuable skills like sensing that the romulans may be hiding something.

Yeah. She's an empath that can size up the adversary over a FaceTime call. Pretty awesome advantage!

Same goes for doctors and such, seems a bit awkward for the enterprise crew to be friends with their doctor. Imagine having a drink with your gynecologist, or in case of riker, someone who most likely has treated him for at least one alien VD.

Or just the more general awkwardness of having your therapist and doctor around all the time, always aware of your lifestyle. Like, getting scolded by Beverly for your shitty eating habits during checkup and then she runs into you in 10 forward while you are trying to inhale a piece of cake.

i've never served in the Navy or even been on board ship, but fraternization between officers and enlisted in all services is pretty strictly forbidden.. and counselors and therapists would probably be officers in most cases.. but casual socialization is normally totally off limits.. simple reason being, officers have to order enlisted people into danger, so there can't be appearance of favorites..

fraternization among the officers is normal, though and has been part of life aboard ships forever