Counseling is an important part of a psychologist’s job. It involves listening supportively to a person, empathizing and reflecting back what has been understood to the speaker. The aim of counseling is to help the person get an insight into his/her problems and therefore be able to resolve his/her difficulty.

While counseling skills are essential for psychologists, they are also vital for every professional working directly in the field of rehabilitation, from doctors and social workers to teachers and therapists. People hearing the diagnosis of a disability for the first time – whether the parents of a handicapped child or an adult stroke or accident victim – need help to work through their grief and confusion. Only then can they begin to understand the nature of the problem and what can be done about it. They must also be given the opportunity to talk freely about their concerns, no matter how silly they may seem. This is a delicate process to which much time must be devoted. Because of the crippling effects of emotional suffering, virtually nothing can be accomplished until the person’s grief and anger has been acknowledged and resolved. Counseling, therefore, is perhaps the most crucial investment a professional can make to ensure that the process of rehabilitation succeeds.

It is not a once and for all investment, however. Persons and their parents and spouses will continue to have ups and downs throughout their lives, especially during times of transition and stress. Counseling will make a major difference in their ability to cope and who better to provide it than the professionals who work with them?
Counseling skills are taught as a component of many courses. Specific training in counseling is also available in a number of universities and private institutes.