counseling

noun

coun·​sel·​ing ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ 

variants or counselling

: professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes

career counseling for high schoolers

counseling for drug addicts

Examples of counseling in a Sentence

She is receiving counseling to cope with the death of her husband.

The college offers career counseling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Published March 24 | Read More | Prison psychologist raped 17-year-old dozens of times as NY staff made jokes, suit says A former psychologist at a youth detention center in New York raped a teen during counseling sessions while staff ignored the abuse, according to a federal lawsuit. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025

Credit counseling agencies negotiate lower interest rates and set up a structured repayment plan for your debts. —Christina Majaski, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Richard and Jessica Hamm, 34 and 28-year old parents of three in the metro Oklahoma City area, had been renting a house, but in February were able to close on a purchase with the assistance of a local homeownership counseling agency. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

Veterans can now be forced to wait up to four months for an appointment across the board for services ranging from a physical checkup to therapy and counseling. —Karen Hua, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see counsel entry 1

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing counseling

• genetic counseling
• marriage counseling

Medical Definition

counseling

noun

coun·​sel·​ing

: professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes