A widely accepted general definition of counseling states that:
Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse
individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness,
education, and career goals.
The British Association for Counselling (BAC) further defined
that "counselling is the skilled and principled use of relationship to
facilitate self- knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth and the
optimal development of personal resources. The overall aim is to provide
an opportunity to work towards living more satisfyingly and
resourcefully.
Counselling relationships will vary according to need but may be
concerned with developmental issues, addressing and resolving specific
problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing personal
insights and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict or
improving relationships with others. The counsellor's role is to
facilitate the clients work in ways that respect the client's values,
personal resources and capacity for self-determination".
As stated above, the process of counseling could involve an
individual or a couple. In the context of the counseling sessions, the
person or the couple have the opportunity to express themselves freely
and openly, in a way which is not possible with friends or family. The
next step is for them to learn more effective and flexible ways of
expression, communication and conflict resolution.
"Haris Karaoulanis - Olga Thoma"