The term counselor has numerous meanings. Most often it is used to describe someone who is a therapist, which could mean a licensed clinical social worker, a marriage and family counselor (MFC or MFCC), a psychologist or even a psychiatrist who conducts regular therapy sessions. Counselor is also a term used to describe lawyers, who advocate for others in court or give legal advice, a person working as a consul or representative of a state, a person working at a children’s camp, at a school to give academic advice, or for a church.

Counsel as a verb can mean, “to give guidance to,” and as a noun, it may specifically refer to a lawyer. There are other definitions of counsel, which may include anything from “to convince” to “to advise.” These definitions alone explain in part the multiple things “counselors” do.

In the most standard definition of counselor as therapist, the therapist helps to address the issues of those with emotional difficulties or mental health issues. Such a person is a guide, who may seldom give advice, and almost never would strive to convince a client to do something. Instead the counselor serves as a guide to the self, since most therapists believe that a patient must be the one who gradually reaches self-realization. Advice tends to be ignored, or clients may not be ready to hear “what their problem is,” from a therapist. Instead, the therapist as guide helps clients come to conclusions about any problems or issues they may have, and then may suggest ways or methods of helping with these issues.

This is not true of all therapists; some are much more willing to dispense advice than are others. Sometimes a therapist must urge something, such as when a patient is in a dangerous situation or when the patient reveals he/she is a danger to him or herself or to others. Licensed therapists are even empowered by most states to act and report a patient who is seriously suicidal or who is potentially being abused or abusing someone. In any case, counselors as therapists usually refers to people specifically trained and licensed within their state to act as this guide.

Not all counselors are licensed as therapists of one kind or another. Ministers frequently are counselors. Many of them have some training in psychology, and some are licensed therapists, but licensing is not required by most states for a minister to counsel others. He or she may do premarital counseling, marriage counseling or individual counseling. The minister may also advise parishioners or individuals on spiritual matters or simply be an aid to those in crisis.

Another type of counselor is an academic adviser or school counselor. School counselors, especially for elementary and secondary schools are usually licensed as therapists. Some though, may function more as academic or career counselors. At the college level, teachers who advise students on what classes they need to take in order to graduate or major in a certain subject, might be considered academic counselors. Most colleges also offer mental health counseling services to those that require them, and a teacher/advisor could refer a student who is having problems to such services.

Even though the term can mean so many things, most counselors share some common features. Chief among these is a desire to help others, excellent communication and listening skills, and significant knowledge in the field in which they advise or guide. When some area of your life is troubling, be it legal, financial, emotional, scholastic or other, seeking out a counselor who possesses these skills can be a great step on the road to resolving problems.