Synonyms of counseling

counseling 1 of 3

noun

variants or counselling

as in reassurance

Related Words

• reassurance
• comforting
• consolation
• solace
• consoling
• compassion
• sympathy
• solacing
• condolence
• commiseration
• feeling
• mercy
• humanity
• kindness
• pity
• kindliness
• kindheartedness

counseling

2 of 3

adjective

variants or counselling

as in consulting

Related Words

• consulting
• advisory
• consultative
• recommendatory
• assisting
• hortative
• warning
• cautionary
• admonitory
• admonishing
• monitory
• premonitory
• exemplary
• aiding
• helping
• didactic
• cautioning
• moralistic
• moralizing

counseling

3 of 3

verb

variants or counselling

present participle of counsel

1

as in conferring

to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem

concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consulting
• conferring
• discussing
• talking
• advising
• treating
• confabbing
• parleying
• coaching
• confabulating
• arguing
• tutoring
• ventilating
• debating
• deliberating
• talking over
• hashing (over)
• batting (around)
• guiding
• rehashing
• disputing
• recommending
• chewing over
• bandying
• referring (to)
• suggesting
• mooting
• kicking around
• palavering
• directing

2

as in guiding

to give advice and instruction to (someone) regarding the course or process to be followed

every year the admissions officer counsels thousands of students about the process of applying to college

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guiding
• coaching
• tutoring
• teaching
• mentoring
• showing
• training
• leading
• accompanying
• steering
• shepherding
• informing
• walking through
• piloting
• escorting
• supervising
• engineering
• attending
• schooling
• chaperoning
• drilling
• briefing
• directing
• godfathering
• overseeing
• instructing
• convoying
• enlightening
• swaying
• superintending
• seeing
• fostering
• nurturing
• inculcating
• indoctrinating
• squiring
• cultivating

3

as in advising

to give advice to

perhaps a psychologist would be better qualified to counsel you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advising
• teaching
• warning
• coaching
• admonishing
• convincing
• telling
• informing
• encouraging
• mentoring
• tutoring
• adjuring
• guiding
• urging
• cautioning
• briefing
• alerting
• persuading
• shepherding
• instructing
• begging
• steering
• filling in
• talking (into)
• leading
• forewarning
• piloting
• inducing
• imploring
• recommending
• prevailing (upon)
• proposing
• exhorting
• directing
• familiarizing
• showing
• suggesting
• acquainting
• apprising
• clueing (in)
• wising (up)

4

as in suggesting

to put (something) forward as one's choice for a wise or proper course of action

I would counsel caution and deliberation in this sensitive matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suggesting
• recommending
• advising
• advocating
• urging
• proposing
• offering
• supporting
• backing
• favoring
• championing
• submitting
• exhorting
• espousing
• advancing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of counseling

Noun

Other options, such as a debt management plan through a credit counseling agency or a debt consolidation loan, could make sense depending on your credit, income and the status of your accounts. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

My Sister’s House offers support to survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, including shelter, counseling, legal help and a 24-hour multilingual hotline, Gonzales-Cabatic said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Leaning into her career training, Gounder recently wrote her own article for Sports Illustrated, counseling the public to be mindful of the health risks inherent in large gatherings. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

The claimants are asking for $10 million against each respondent and said their damages include medical care, psychological and counseling care and pain, suffering and mental anguish. — Joshua Dougherty, Idaho Statesman, 22 June 2026