Definitions & Glossary
Understand the meaning of the words used in the counselling industry.
Definitions & Glossary
Understanding counselling and mental health terminology can make it easier to explore your wellbeing and find the right support. Our Counselling Glossary provides clear, straightforward explanations of commonly used terms relating to counselling, psychotherapy, mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and therapeutic approaches.
Whether you are considering counselling, currently receiving support, or simply looking to learn more, this glossary is designed to help you better understand important concepts and the different approaches that may support your personal wellbeing.
A
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
A form of therapy that helps people accept difficult thoughts and emotions while taking positive action aligned with their personal values.
Active Listening
A communication technique where the listener gives their full attention, seeks to understand, and responds thoughtfully without judgement.
Anxiety
A feeling of worry, nervousness, fear, or unease that may occur in response to stressful situations or sometimes without an obvious cause.
Attachment
The emotional bond people develop with others. Early attachment experiences can influence relationships, emotional regulation, and feelings of security later in life.
B
Behavioural Therapy
A therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing behaviours that may be contributing to emotional distress or difficulties in daily life.
Bereavement
The experience of losing someone through death. Bereavement can involve a wide range of emotional, physical, and psychological responses.
Boundaries
Personal limits that help define what a person is comfortable with emotionally, physically, and within their relationships.
Burnout
A state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion often associated with prolonged stress, excessive demands, or ongoing pressure.
C
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
A structured form of therapy that explores the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours and helps develop healthier patterns of thinking and responding.
Counselling
A professional therapeutic process that provides a confidential and supportive environment to explore emotions, challenges, relationships, behaviours, and life experiences.
Coping Strategies
Techniques and behaviours used to manage stress, difficult emotions, challenging situations, or significant life changes.
Couples Counselling
Counselling designed to help couples improve communication, understand relationship patterns, resolve conflict, and strengthen their connection.
Crisis Counselling
Short-term counselling focused on providing emotional support and practical strategies during or following a highly stressful or distressing event.
D
Depression
A mental health condition that may involve persistent sadness, low mood, loss of interest, reduced motivation, changes in sleep or appetite, and difficulty enjoying everyday activities.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
A therapeutic approach that combines cognitive and behavioural strategies with mindfulness and acceptance techniques to support emotional regulation and coping skills.
Dissociation
A sense of disconnection from thoughts, feelings, memories, surroundings, or personal identity that can sometimes occur in response to overwhelming experiences.
E
Emotional Regulation
The ability to recognise, understand, manage, and respond to emotions in ways that support wellbeing and effective functioning.
Empathy
The ability to understand and appreciate another person’s feelings, experiences, and perspectives.
Exposure Therapy
A therapeutic technique involving gradual and supported exposure to feared situations, thoughts, or experiences to help reduce anxiety and avoidance.
F
Family Counselling
A form of counselling that works with family members to improve communication, address conflict, understand relationship dynamics, and develop healthier interactions.
Family Therapy
A therapeutic approach that considers how family relationships and patterns may influence individual and collective wellbeing.
G
Grief
The emotional response to loss. Grief may occur following bereavement, relationship breakdown, illness, career changes, or other significant life transitions.
Grief Counselling
Professional support that helps individuals understand and navigate the emotional and practical challenges associated with grief and loss.
Grounding Techniques
Strategies designed to help a person reconnect with the present moment, particularly during periods of anxiety, distress, overwhelm, or emotional dysregulation.
H
Holistic Counselling
An approach that considers multiple aspects of a person’s wellbeing, including emotional, psychological, social, physical, and lifestyle factors.
Hypnotherapy
A therapeutic approach that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to explore thoughts, behaviours, emotions, or patterns a person may wish to address.
I
Individual Counselling
One-on-one counselling that provides a private and supportive environment to explore personal challenges, emotions, relationships, and goals.
Inner Child Work
A therapeutic approach that explores unresolved emotions, experiences, and needs associated with childhood and how they may influence adult life.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
A structured therapy that focuses on relationships, communication, social functioning, and interpersonal challenges that may affect emotional wellbeing.
J
Journalling
The practice of writing about thoughts, feelings, experiences, or goals as a way to encourage reflection, emotional awareness, and personal insight.
L
Life Transition
A significant change in a person’s circumstances, such as marriage, separation, parenthood, relocation, retirement, career change, or bereavement.
Loss
The experience of losing a person, relationship, role, opportunity, ability, or important part of life.
M
Mindfulness
The practice of intentionally focusing attention on the present moment while observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations without immediate judgement.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
A therapeutic approach that incorporates mindfulness techniques to help individuals develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and behavioural patterns.
N
Narrative Therapy
A therapeutic approach that helps people explore the stories they hold about themselves and their experiences and develop alternative perspectives that support positive change.
Neurodiversity
A concept recognising natural variations in how people think, learn, communicate, process information, and experience the world.
O
Online Counselling
Counselling delivered remotely through secure video or other communication technologies, allowing clients to access professional support without attending an in-person appointment.
Overwhelm
A state in which emotional, mental, or practical demands feel greater than a person’s current capacity to manage them.
P
Panic Attack
A sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort that may include physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, or chest discomfort.
Person-Centred Therapy
A therapeutic approach that emphasises empathy, acceptance, authenticity, and a supportive relationship between the client and therapist.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A mental health condition that may develop following exposure to a traumatic event and can involve intrusive memories, avoidance, heightened alertness, and changes in mood or thinking.
Psychotherapy
A broad term for therapeutic approaches that help individuals explore psychological, emotional, behavioural, and relationship difficulties.
R
Relationship Counselling
Counselling that helps individuals or couples explore relationship difficulties, communication patterns, conflict, intimacy, trust, and connection.
Resilience
The capacity to adapt, recover, and continue functioning when experiencing adversity, stress, change, or challenging circumstances.
S
Self-Awareness
The ability to recognise and understand one’s own thoughts, emotions, behaviours, values, strengths, and patterns.
Self-Care
Intentional activities and practices that support physical, emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing.
Self-Esteem
A person’s overall sense of personal value, self-worth, and confidence in themselves.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
A goal-oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying strengths, resources, solutions, and practical steps towards desired outcomes.
Stress
The physical and emotional response to demands, pressure, uncertainty, or challenging circumstances.
Stress Management
Techniques and strategies used to reduce, manage, or respond more effectively to stress.
T
Therapeutic Alliance
The collaborative and trusting relationship between a client and therapist, including shared goals and a mutual commitment to the therapeutic process.
Trauma
An emotional or psychological response to an event or experience that is deeply distressing, threatening, or overwhelming.
Trauma-Informed Care
An approach that recognises the potential impact of trauma and prioritises emotional and physical safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
Triggers
Situations, experiences, memories, sensations, or environmental cues that can activate a strong emotional or psychological response.
V
Values
Personal principles and beliefs that influence a person’s priorities, decisions, relationships, and sense of meaning.
W
Wellbeing
A broad concept encompassing emotional, psychological, physical, and social health and a person’s overall experience of functioning and quality of life.
Workplace Stress
Stress associated with work-related demands, responsibilities, relationships, workload, organisational changes, or workplace environments.
Link to: Bookings
Counselling Enquiries
Contact Melbourne Counselling Services to enquire about personalised counselling options. Start your journey towards improved mental well-being with professional support tailored to your needs. Reach out today and take the first step.
Link to: Bookings
Counselling Bookings
Book your session with Melbourne Counselling Services to access personalised support. Take the next step towards emotional well-being by scheduling a session with our experienced counsellors. Your path to healing begins here.