A counselor is someone whose job involves giving advice, guidance, or support to help people solve problems or make thoughtful decisions. School counselors help students with everything from choosing classes to working through friendship troubles. A camp counselor supervises and guides kids during summer camp, organizing activities and making sure everyone stays safe and has fun.

When you counsel someone, you're helping them think through a situation carefully. A lawyer might be called legal counsel because they advise clients about the law. In some places, city council members are called councillors (spelled differently but pronounced the same), and they help make decisions for their community.

Counselors usually combine good listening with thoughtful questions. Rather than just telling you what to do, a counselor might ask, “What do you think would happen if you tried that?” or “How did that make you feel?” They're trying to help people develop their own wisdom and problem-solving skills. A grief counselor helps people cope with loss, while a career counselor helps students and adults figure out what kind of work might suit them best. The common thread is someone trained to guide others through challenges or transitions in their lives.