Word

counselling

noun C1

/ˈkaʊnsəlɪŋ/

Meanings

noun

professional talk-based support to help someone cope with personal, emotional, or relationship problems

noun

advice and guidance given to someone about what to do in a difficult situation

Definition

Counselling is professional guidance that helps someone understand and deal with personal or emotional difficulties.

Counselling is a supportive conversation with a trained professional who helps you explore problems, feelings, and choices. It often focuses on improving coping skills, relationships, and wellbeing through reflection and practical strategies. Counselling can be short-term for a specific issue or longer-term for deeper patterns.

Examples

After the breakup, I started counselling to make sense of what I was feeling and how I wanted to move forward.
If you are overwhelmed at work, counselling can help you set boundaries without burning bridges.
He found counselling useful because it gave him a structured way to reflect rather than just vent.
She was initially sceptical, but counselling helped her communicate more clearly with her family.
They chose counselling so they could rebuild trust and negotiate everyday decisions more calmly.

Common mistake

Learners often misspell it as "counceling" or confuse it with "counseling" (a common US spelling).