Do counsellors give advice?

People often assume that counsellors will give advice. This assumption may stem, in part, from the term counsellor itself—since “counsel” can mean giving formal advice. It’s perhaps not surprising that such confusion exists.

However, counselling, in practice, is the opposite of giving advice. It focuses on increasing your autonomy rather than diminishing it. There are many different types of counsellors, and while some may offer information or suggestions, or adopt a more directive style, a counsellor will not tell you to leave your partner, take that job, or say no to your friend’s invitation.

This approach stems from the fact that counsellors do not know your unique experiences, history, and values as well as you do. Therefore, they cannot determine what is best for you. Instead, counselling helps you to make your own choices and decisions, which will ultimately be much more valuable.