The British Association for Counselling (BAC) defines Counselling in the following way: "The overall aim of counselling is to provide an opportunity for the client to work towards living in a more satisfied and resourceful way. The term 'counselling' includes work with individuals, pairs or groups of people. The objectives of particular counselling relationships will vary according to the client's needs. Counselling may be concerned with developmental issues, addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing personal insight and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict or improving relationships with others. The counsellors role is to facilitate the client's work in ways which respect the client's values, personal resources and capacity for self determination".

Counselling offers a confidential setting in which to talk through problems and find new perspectives and solutions.

Problems that may be helped by counselling include: bereavement, stress and trauma, coping with illness or injury, depression, emotional, physical or sexual abuse issues, other losses e.g. divorce, difficulties at work, life crises, anxiety, relationship difficulties