There is a big difference between a professional counselor and a person who uses some counseling skills as part of it role, for example their role as a friend or colleague.  A professional counselor is a highly trained individual who is able to use a different range of counseling approaches with their clients. 

Counseling is:

·         The process that occurs when a client and counselor set aside time in order to explore difficulties which may include the stressful or emotional feelings of the client.

·         The act of helping the client to see things more clearly, possibly from a different view-point. This can enable the client to focus on feelings, experiences behavioral, with a goal to facilitating positive change.

·         A relationship of trust.  Confidentiality is paramount to successful counseling.  Professional counselors will usually explain their policy on confidentiality, they may, however, be required by law to disclose information if they believe that there is a risk to life.

Counseling is Not:

• Giving advice.
• Judgmental.
• Attempting to sort out the problems of the client.
• Expecting or encouraging a client to behave in a way in which the counselor may have behaved when confronted with a similar problem in their own life.
• Getting emotionally involved with the client.
• Looking at a client's problems from your own perspective, based on your own value system.

Types of Counseling

• Relationship issues
• Couples Counseling
• Student 
• Depression Issues
• Anxiety