consulting <> counselling

Consulting beschreibt meist eine Beratung (meist bezahlt) über einen bestimmten Zeitraum. Counselling würde eher in die 'an die Hand nehmen und beraten' - Richtung gehen ... beschreibt eher Gefühls'technische' betreuung / begleitung.

Die Übergänge sind fließend. Ganz grob gesagt, geht consulting eher in die Richtung von "Beratung durch einen Experten, der aufgrund seines Fachwissens Ratschläge gibt", während councelling (gerade im Zusammenhang mit dem coaching approach) eher darauf zielt, den Klienten bei eigener Lösungsfindung zu unterstützen. Allerdings sind sich die Experten selbst nicht immer ganz einig. ;-)


@ Max

Der Hinweis auf das "Gefühls'technische'" trifft für Wirtschaftsberatung nur bedingt zu, im Bereich counselling/therapy schon deutlich eher.

In general, to counsel is to give advice and guidance with the intention of influencing someone's judgement or behaviour. Example: The students were counselled on how to get into a good university. To consult is to ask for advice or to exchange ideas with others for the purpose of making a decision. Example: "Consult your doctor" or "I'll consult with my wife". There is a modern meaning of giving expert advice, as when one acts as a consultant, but this is usually limited to business areas.

Although the meaning are similar, the two words can rarely be interchanged.

Isn't the difference much simpler?

counselling - advice someone gives
consulting - advice someone obtains

@ vicky
I don't think that is correct.

"Counselling" is generally more personal, for example psychologists offer "counselling" to victims of crimes, depressed persons, persons with mental illness. It is usually more similar to "analysis" or "psychoanalysis" though there are places where this term would be used more personally.

"Consult" does generally mean to ask a question, ie. a business wants to know how to better run their affairs, or a husband/wife wants to know the significant other's opinion on something. If you "consult" with someone than the matter is often somewhat impersonal, ie. you consult with your wife about where she'd like to go on vacation. That is not very "controversial." If you are in "counselling" with your wife then you are probably having marital problems.