counseling

[kˈaʊnsəlɪŋ] /ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce counseling (audio)/ (ame, mw)

counseling — noun

1. advice that helps someone choose the best action or plan the next step.

1.名詞B2
釋義

advice that helps someone choose the best action or plan the next step.

例句

After graduation, Elena sought counseling from her aunt about two job offers.

pattern: seek counseling about a choice

The school gives counseling to students choosing between college and work.

pattern: provide counseling to someone

同義詞
  • advice

    the broad everyday word for what someone thinks you should do

  • guidance

    often suggests steady help over time rather than one quick suggestion

  • consultation

    often names a formal meeting where expert advice is given

文法句型

seek counseling

offer/provide counseling

counseling on/about + topic

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. It often follows verbs such as seek, offer, and receive, and it can come from relatives, teachers, advisers, or institutions. Distinguish from noun/2: this sense is about guidance for a choice or plan, not structured emotional treatment.

常見錯誤

❌I asked counseling to my uncle before signing the lease.
✅I asked my uncle for counseling before signing the lease.
💡Ask a person for counseling; counseling is the help, not the person.
❌The school gave many counselings about college applications.
✅The school gave a lot of counseling about college applications.
💡Counseling is usually uncountable in this sense.

2. professional help in which a trained person uses conversation and psychological

2.名詞B2
釋義

professional help in which a trained person uses conversation and psychological methods to support someone with emotional, behavioral, or personal problems.

例句

Hoa started counseling after panic attacks made bus rides unbearable.

collocation: start counseling

Weekly counseling helped Tara speak about her grief without breaking down.

同義詞
  • therapy

    the broad everyday term and often wider in scope than counseling

  • psychotherapy

    the more clinical label, especially for longer and deeper treatment

  • talk therapy

    an informal term that emphasizes conversation as the method

文法句型

start counseling

attend counseling

counseling for + issue

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and common with verbs such as start, receive, attend, and go to. This sense implies formal help from a trained professional, often across a series of sessions, unlike the broader advice sense in noun/1.

常見錯誤

❌I started a counseling after the accident.
✅I started counseling after the accident.
💡The noun is usually uncountable in this sense.
❌We had one counseling and solved everything.
✅We had one counseling session and solved everything.
💡A single appointment is a counseling session, not a counseling.