Can this tile be played without moving a piece?

For me there are too many of these tiles in the game. More than are needed.

Indeed, I'll add that these tiles can sometimes be a real liability rather than a benefit!

No it can not.

The rules state:

"Good Counsel may not be used to move a figure if there are no empty squares orthogonally adjacent to it; either another figure must be chosen, or good counsel may not be played "

So Good Counsel may only be placed in the square a valid figure moved from, and if it is not possible to do so, then the tile may not be placed.

I hope this helps.

Yes, that's what I thought. This tile is often a real liability , not a boon.