counselling

Everyday

1. Help and advice from a trained person who listens to someone with problems or worries and helps them think things through. tree →
2. Advice in general (formal). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and school, children may get counselling after a hard time like a family break-up, bullying or the death of someone close. Many schools have a counsellor. Phrases: "go to counselling", "school counselling", "grief counselling", "marriage counselling".

Examples

• After Grandad died, I had some counselling at school. tree →
• Counselling helped her feel less worried. tree →
• The school counsellor listens and keeps things private. tree →
• Mum and Dad went to counselling to talk things through. tree →
• There is free counselling for children on helplines. tree →
• Counselling is a safe place to talk about feelings. tree →

Note

British spelling: counselling (double l); American: counseling. Uncountable. Do not confuse with "council" (a group that runs a town) or "councillor". Going to counselling is normal and brave, not a sign of being weak.