counseling

noun

coun·​sel·​ing ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce counseling (audio)
variants or counselling
Synonyms of counselingnext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Give me the grizzled wisdom and experience of someone in their 50s or 60s; give me Esther Perel and Orna Guralnik; give me someone with a postgraduate certificate in relationship counseling at the very least. Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2025 Suggest couple’s counseling to parse the issues between the two of you. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2025 Meaghan Fanning, a 35-year-old licensed clinical social worker who spends every day counseling and trying to improve the lives of Kansas City’s child, teen and young adult refugees, starts her mornings the same. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025 Lauren pleaded not guilty and was eligible for a mental health diversion program, which requires counseling and random drug and alcohol testing. Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for counseling

Word History

Etymology

see counsel entry 1

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counseling was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Counseling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counseling. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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