Counselling: meaning, definitions and examples

🤝

Add to dictionary

counselling

[ˈkaʊn.səl.ɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

mental health

Counselling is a type of therapy that allows individuals to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and supportive environment. It aims to help people understand themselves better, cope with difficult emotions, and make positive changes in their lives.

Synonyms

guidance, support, therapy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counselling	Used when talking about professional advice or guidance provided by a trained individual, often in a formal setting. She sought counselling after going through a rough breakup The school offers counselling services for students struggling with stress
therapy	Used when referring to treatment methods, typically for mental health, administered by trained professionals. It can include various practices like talk therapy, physical therapy, etc. She started attending therapy sessions to deal with her depression Physical therapy helped him recover after his injury
guidance	Used in broader contexts to indicate general advice or direction, not necessarily provided by a professional. The mentor offered guidance on how to advance in her career Parents often seek guidance on how to deal with their teenagers
support	Used to describe assistance or help, especially emotional or practical, which may be provided in both professional and informal contexts. After the accident, he received a lot of support from his friends and family The community set up a support group for people facing similar challenges

Examples of usage

Counselling can be helpful for those struggling with anxiety or depression.
Many people find counselling to be a safe space to explore their thoughts and emotions.
During counselling sessions, individuals work with a trained professional to address their concerns.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

education

Counselling in an educational setting involves providing students with guidance and support to help them navigate academic and personal challenges. School counsellors often assist students in setting goals, making career decisions, and developing coping strategies.

Synonyms

advising, coaching, mentoring.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counselling	Used in professional settings where emotional support and guidance are needed, often involving mental health professionals. She is receiving counselling to help her cope with the loss of her grandmother The school offers counselling services for students who are struggling
advising	Common in academic or professional settings where giving recommendations or guidance on decisions is needed. I am advising students on their course selection for the next semester The consultant was advising the company on its new marketing strategy
mentoring	Applies to situations where a more experienced person is guiding someone less experienced, usually in career or personal development contexts. She is mentoring a new employee to help him adjust to the company culture The professor is mentoring several PhD students in their research projects
coaching	Typically used in the context of improving performance, for example in sports, business or personal development. She hired a personal coach to help her prepare for the marathon The manager is coaching his team to improve their sales techniques

Examples of usage

High school students can meet with a counsellor to discuss their future plans.
Counselling services at universities offer support for students dealing with stress or academic pressure.
Effective counselling can contribute to students' overall well-being and success.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

action

To counsel someone means to provide them with advice, guidance, or support. It involves listening attentively, offering insights, and helping the individual make informed decisions.

Synonyms

advise, guide, support.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counselling	This is used when discussing professional help from a trained counselor for emotional, psychological, or mental issues. She decided to seek counselling to address her anxiety. Counselling sessions helped him cope with his grief.
advise	This word is used when giving recommendations or suggestions to someone about what they should do in a particular situation. The doctor advised him to exercise regularly. I would advise you to read the terms before signing the contract.
support	This is used when offering help or assistance, often emotional or practical, to someone going through a difficult time. He received a lot of support from his friends during his illness. She needs emotional support after the breakup.

Word

Description / Examples

counselling

This is used when discussing professional help from a trained counselor for emotional, psychological, or mental issues.

She decided to seek counselling to address her anxiety.
Counselling sessions helped him cope with his grief.

advise

This word is used when giving recommendations or suggestions to someone about what they should do in a particular situation.

The doctor advised him to exercise regularly.
I would advise you to read the terms before signing the contract.

support

This is used when offering help or assistance, often emotional or practical, to someone going through a difficult time.

He received a lot of support from his friends during his illness.
She needs emotional support after the breakup.

Examples of usage

As a mentor, I often counsel young professionals on career development.
She counsels her friends with empathy and understanding.
It's important to seek professional help if you need someone to counsel you through a difficult situation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'counselling' comes from the Latin 'consilium,' meaning advice or consultation.
The practice began formalizing in the early 20th century, evolving from educational guidance and mental health care.

Psychology

Counselling can reduce anxiety and depression by providing a safe space to express feelings.
Research shows that clients often experience relief after just a few sessions, highlighting the importance of human connection.

Pop Culture

Films like 'Good Will Hunting' and shows such as 'The Sopranos' have popularized the concept of talking to a therapist.
Self-help books and videos on platforms like YouTube have made counselling techniques accessible to many.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, family members may provide counselling, reflecting the importance of community in mental health.
Traditional healing often overlaps with modern counselling practices in various indigenous cultures.

Education

Many schools now have counselling programs to support students' emotional and academic well-being.
Counselling skills are taught in various fields, not just mental health, emphasizing effective communication and empathy.

Translations

Translations of the word "counselling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aconselhamento

🇮🇳 सलाह

🇩🇪 Beratung

🇮🇩 konseling

🇺🇦 консультування

🇵🇱 doradztwo

🇯🇵 カウンセリング

🇫🇷 counseling

🇪🇸 asesoría

🇹🇷 danışmanlık

🇰🇷 상담

🇸🇦 استشارة

🇨🇿 poradenství

🇸🇰 poradenstvo

🇨🇳 咨询

🇸🇮 svetovanje

🇮🇸 ráðgjöf

🇰🇿 кеңес беру

🇬🇪 კონსულტაცია

🇦🇿 məsləhət

🇲🇽 asesoría

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,536, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
13533 inventors
13534 lard
13535 burdensome
13536 counselling
13537 moiety
13538 simulator
13539 rheumatism
...