Definitions

The field of counselling has been shaped by a rich variety of perspectives over time. While definitions may differ in tone or emphasis, many share a common core: counselling is a professional, relational process focused on supporting individuals through personal challenges, growth, and decision-making—without addressing clinical or psychopathological concerns.

In the selection below, we’ve highlighted key definitions that reflect the philosophy, goals, and methods of counselling as it is practiced in Italy and defined by the CNCP. These definitions help clarify not only what counselling is, but how it works, for whom, and with what purpose.

In the field of counselling, literature offers a wide range of perspectives and definitions—sometimes diverse, occasionally overlapping. In this overview, we’ve selected definitions that not only reflect a conceptual framework aligned with counselling practice as it has developed in Italy, but also resonate with the CNCP’s own understanding of the profession.

We’ve grouped them into three sections, each highlighting a key aspect of the counselling process: its area and method of intervention, its philosophy and goals, and the fundamental role of facilitation in problem-solving.

The section closes with definitions provided by the British Association for Counselling and the CNCP.

I. The Non-Pathological Nature of the Counselling Context

“Those working in the fields of counseling and human development recognize that all people periodically need help and guidance as they go through the normal stages and transitions of life.”
— American Counseling Association, 1992

“Counselling is concerned (...) with areas of conflict, mental confusion, ambivalence, and emotional turmoil caused by various degrees of stress across different life settings (family, work, school, etc.) in individuals who are otherwise well-adjusted.”
— Folgheraiter, 1987

“Counselling is a process of interaction between two people—the counsellor and the client—with the aim of enabling the client to make a decision regarding personal choices, problems, or difficulties directly affecting them.”
— Burnett, 1977

“Counselling focuses on the developmental problems of ordinary people of all ages and life stages. These problems generally relate to personal, social, or occupational issues. Counsellors help individuals, families, and groups resolve conflicts, problems, or make decisions.”
— Nugent, 1994

II. The Central Role of the Client and Their Capacity for Growth: Counselling as a Learning-Oriented Intervention

“Although the counsellor helps clients achieve results, they do not control the process. Clients bear the main responsibility for both the outcomes and their quality.”
— Egan, 1994

“The purpose of counselling is not to solve a specific problem, but to help the individual grow, so they can face both the current issue and future ones in a more integrated way—with greater autonomy, responsibility, and awareness.”
— Rogers, 1942

“The aim of counselling is to promote personal growth and autonomy, encouraging clients to care for themselves, to be assertive, and to develop their own potential.”
— Carroll & Walton, 1997

III. Facilitation as the Core Method for Enabling Problem-Solving

“The counsellor must support the client in a way that respects their values, personal resources, and capacity for self-determination.”
— Burnard, 1994

“A set of techniques, skills, and attitudes aimed at helping people manage their problems by using their own personal resources.”
— Reddy, 1987

“A structured helping relationship (...) characterized by the application of specific knowledge, personal qualities, and communication skills by the counsellor. The goal is to activate and reorganize the client’s individual resources to support new choices and changes in situations perceived as difficult.”
— De Mei et al., 1998

“A problem-solving activity consisting of various stages, each with specific features. It is a model that encourages the counsellor to accept the client’s problems and to assume the client can be helped to better understand themselves and the situation—and to find a possible way forward.”
— Munro et al., 1991

“A specific professional skill aimed at helping the client identify, explore, and search for solutions in a problematic area.”
— Russell & Dexter, 1993

BAC and CNCP Definitions

“A counselling intervention takes place when one person, temporarily in the role of counsellor, offers—or explicitly agrees to offer—time, attention, and respect to another person, or persons, temporarily in the role of client. The task of counselling is to provide the client with the opportunity to explore, discover, and clarify more effective ways of living and working toward a higher level of well-being.”
— British Association for Counselling, 1985

“The counsellor may present the client with available options and help them follow through with the ones they choose. (...) They can support the client in carefully examining problematic situations or behaviors and identifying a small but crucial starting point for change. Whatever approach is used, the ultimate aim of counselling is the client’s autonomy—to make their own choices, decisions, and take action.”
— British Association for Counselling, 1985

“Counselling is a relational process between a counsellor and a client—or clients—and belongs to the field of social and educational disciplines. Its goal is to provide individuals with opportunities and support to develop their resources and promote well-being, both as individuals and as members of society. The counsellor is a professional who assists clients in finding solutions to specific non-pathological issues and, within this scope, in making decisions, improving relationships, developing resources, and gaining personal awareness around specific topics. The client may be an individual, couple, family, group, or organization seeking help through a supportive process of personal growth or learning.”
— National Coordination of Professional Counsellors (CNCP), 2002