Counselling

Counselling stems from the need to address problems related to emotional, mental and physical disorders. The term ‘counsel’ originates from the word ‘counseil’ that was used in Middle English. This connotation of the word ‘counselling’ refers to the act of consulting or taking counsel from more experienced people. In this sense, the words counselling and advice could be used interchangeably. In 1908, Frank Parson, a social reformer, first used the term ‘counsel’ in the modern sense. Counselling can be synonymously used with psychotherapy, but the latter focuses more on people with serious disorders like schizophrenia. There is a more client-centric and humanistic approach adopted in counselling. Counsellors discuss the problems of the individual with them after inviting them to an open-ended dialogue.

In modern times, counselling is done through literature like books, periodicals and magazines. In this way, the counsellor can reach out to a wider section of the populace. An entire counselling course can be done fully through correspondence, which saves a lot of time and effort otherwise required by the individual needing counselling. There are many books on the theory and practice of counselling like Pete Sanders ‘First Steps in Counselling.' Several books on marriage counselling are also available for those experiencing difficulties in adjusting to habits and lifestyle of their spouses.