While it is true that all counselling involves some advice giving, its also true that giving advice isn't always helpful. Sometimes clients want someone to tell them what to do. Maybe they don't trust their own judgement. Maybe they have made bad decisions before and they believe they will do so again. Having someone else make the decisions can seem safer.  But, there are some really good reasons not to get dependent on others to make important decisions for ones life.  First, no one else is going to have to live with the consequences of the decisions. If the advice is poor, you are the only one who will suffer. But more importantly, having someone else make the decisions is giving up the power and control.  Its like having someone drive your car and just hoping they will go where you want them to go. If you aren't a very good driver, having someone else drive is a very temporary solution. A better solution is to learn how to drive your own car. And that means practicing making your own decisions and learning, even from the mistakes. Being in charge of ones own life is a more mature and adult way of living.  Allowing others to be in charge is remaining more like a child.  So, do you want to remain like a child and expect others to tell you what to do, or do you want to take the risk and make your own decisions?  Even good advice isn't always good!