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

In the summer of 2009, he was promoted to associate athletics director for academic and career counseling. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2026

Many offer nutritional advice as part of their program, others healthy habit counseling addressing stress management, sleep hygiene and hydration, among other areas. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026

The unit offers confidential counseling, requires annual wellness checks and provides officers a space to decompress after traumatic calls. —Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

But getting out of debt doesn’t necessarily require a bigger paycheck, says Michael McAuliffe, president of the nonprofit credit counseling agency Family Credit Management. —David McMillin, CNBC, 30 Dec. 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