Advice and psychological support from health professionals to help people deal with personal difficulties. Counselling is used to address problems at school, work, or in the family; provide advice on medical problems and sexual and marital problems; help people to deal with addictions; and provide support during life crises. Types of counselling include genetic counselling, trauma counselling, and sex therapy.
In most cases counselling is a one-toone activity, but it may also be carried out in small groups. (See also child guidance; family therapy; marriage guidance; psychotherapy.)
Interaction offering an opportunity for a person to explore, discover and clarify ways of living with greater well-being, usually in a one-to-one discussion with a trained counsellor.
Psychological support and advice provided by a trained therapist or health professional. The aim is to help an individual manage a particular personal or family problem: this may be a diagnosis of cancer, mental and physical trauma following an accident or assault, or a bereavement. Counselling can help people cope with a wide range of demanding circumstances. It is usually done on a one-to-one basis – sometimes in small groups – and needs to be provided with skill and sensitivity or there is a risk of worsening the individual’s diffculties. There has been rapid growth in counselling services and it is vital that those providing them have been properly trained.
n. 1. a method of approaching psychological difficulties in adjustment that aims to help the client work out his own problems. The counsellor listens sympathetically, attempting to identify with the client, tries to clarify current problems, and sometimes gives advice. It involves less emphasis on insight and interpretation than does psychotherapy or psychoanalytic therapy. See also client-centred therapy. 2. see genetic counselling.
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