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

To be candid, our process was not terribly dramatic—there were no big fights, no couples counseling—other than the drama of racing to complete the project (or, at least, most of it) before the kids were born. —Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Depending on your situation, options such as debt settlement, debt consolidation or credit counseling could help make repayment more manageable and reduce the likelihood of aggressive collection actions in the future. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 June 2026

The casino in Placer County provides free wellness counseling and matching funds for 401k retirement plans for all workers. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026

The two are in counseling, Gertner has said. —ABC News, 31 May 2026

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