How is counseling defined?

Counseling is primarily defined as guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems. This definition encompasses a broad range of interactions where a counselor helps individuals navigate challenges they may be facing in various aspects of their lives. In this context, it implies support aimed at improving the personal well-being of clients by exploring their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, ultimately helping them make informed decisions.

The other options present more specialized services that do not fully capture the essence of counseling. Providing legal advice is a specific role that falls under legal services rather than general counseling. Therapeutic interventions for mental health, while related, focus more narrowly on treating psychological disorders and may not encompass the wider range of personal and social issues addressed in general counseling. Financial planning and investment advice pertain specifically to economic matters, which is a distinct field separate from the broader definition of counseling, reinforcing that the main role of a counselor is to support individuals in a variety of contexts, not solely within financial parameters.