Counselling is a talking therapy in which the client and the counsellor explore feelings, experiences or behaviour of the client, with the aim of helping the client to see things more clearly, possibly from a different view-point and bring about a positive change. 

Counselling is undertaken by a trained counsellor. There is a big difference between a trained counsellor and a person who gives advice or talks or guides or mentors others as a friend, relative, or colleague.  A professional counsellor is a highly trained individual who is able to use a different range of counselling approaches based on the requirement of the clients.

Counselling is a  non-judgemental, unbiased, step by step approach that enables the client to explore many aspects of their life and feelings, by talking openly and freely.  Talking in such a way is rarely possible with family, colleagues, or friends, who are likely to be emotionally involved and have opinions and biases that may be detrimental to the success of the counselling.