counseling

1 of 2

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

counseling

2 of 2

present participle of counsel entry 2

Examples of counseling in a Sentence

Noun

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

The college offers career counseling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to the classes, the mentors provide one-on-one counseling to participants. — Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Research has historically placed annual employee assistance program counseling use at roughly 5%, which would mean about 500 people use counseling through the program. — Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Brown discussed options with Soenen, including academic accommodations, counseling, a no-contact order and formal complaint procedures, according to court documents. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

But appropriate counseling depends on the precise diagnosis, gestational age, associated abnormalities, prognosis and maternal circumstances. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see counsel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

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