counseling

American  

[koun-suh-ling] / ˈkaʊn sə lɪŋ /

Or counselling

noun

Psychology.

1. professional guidance in resolving personal conflicts and emotional problems.

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Etymology

Origin of counseling

counsel + -ing ¹

Explanation

When you go for counseling, you're getting advice to help you make a decision or figure out what to do. Before getting married, you and your intended may see your minister for counseling about how to have a happy marriage. Usually counseling takes the form of talking with someone who has experience or training in specific areas where you need help. For example, if you need financial counseling, you'll find an expert in managing money. People who go to therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist, to get help with whatever is bothering them, may also refer to that therapy as counseling. Counseling comes from the Latin root consilium, meaning "advice."

Example Sentences

"Preventative counseling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss," it said.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

I’ve undergone years of counseling to work through the pain.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

That does not stop your daughter from seeking out counseling and even putting a deadline on her relationship if it continues to show no meaningful improvement.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

Worth Girvan voiced support for Inside Safe but said the city should be delivering more “wraparound services,” such as mental health counseling and addiction treatment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The counseling did nothing at first—I can’t think of a single session I would describe as “helpful”—but their collective power over time was undeniable.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover