Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for "counseling"
Search instead for job-counseling.
Synonyms

counseling

American  
[koun-suh-ling] / ˈkaʊn sə lɪŋ /
Or counselling

noun

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


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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing counseling

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It also required people to get credit counseling before filing to see whether there was any way they could avoid bankruptcy.

From Salon Aug. 29, 2026

KFF’s Freed said the best resources are the Medicare Plan Finder, 1-800-MEDICARE and state health insurance assistance programs, known as SHIPs, which are free, independent counseling services for Medicare beneficiaries.

From MarketWatch Aug. 28, 2026

Colombia has activated a national network to offer counseling, both online and in person, to help people cope.

From Barron's Aug. 17, 2026

Parents and children received dietary counseling and nutrition education from the time the children were 7 months old through early adulthood.

From Science Daily Jul. 31, 2026

But he has been getting counseling too and we’re working through his hurt so he can get to Closure.

From "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training