B1 noun 3 min read

心理咨询

xīn lǐ zī xún

心理咨询 provides professional support to improve mental and emotional health.

心理咨询 in 30 Seconds

  • mental health support
  • therapy
  • emotional well-being

§ Don't Confuse 心理咨询 with 心理医生 (xīnlǐ yīshēng)

Many learners, when first encountering 心理咨询, tend to directly translate it as 'psychologist' or 'psychiatrist.' While related, it's crucial to understand the distinction. 心理咨询 refers to the act or service of psychological counseling. A 心理医生 (xīnlǐ yīshēng), on the other hand, is the person who provides medical treatment for mental health issues. Think of it this way: 心理咨询 is the 'counseling session,' and a 心理医生 is the 'medical doctor' specializing in the mind. If you're talking about the professional, use 心理咨询师 (xīnlǐ zīxúnshī) for a counselor, or 心理医生 for a psychiatrist/psychologist who diagnoses and treats mental illnesses.

§ Using 心理咨询 as a Verb

Another common error is trying to use 心理咨询 directly as a verb. For example, you might try to say 'I want to psychological counsel you.' This is incorrect. 心理咨询 is a noun, meaning 'psychological counseling.' To express the action of receiving or providing counseling, you need to use a verb like '进行' (jìnxíng - to carry out/conduct) or '接受' (jiēshòu - to receive) with 心理咨询.

Wrong:
他需要心理咨询。(Tā xūyào xīnlǐ zīxún.) - He needs psychological counseling. (This is okay, but doesn't express the action directly.)
Correct:
他需要接受心理咨询。(Tā xūyào jiēshòu xīnlǐ zīxún.) - He needs to receive psychological counseling.

我正在进行心理咨询。(Wǒ zhèngzài jìnxíng xīnlǐ zīxún.) - I am currently undergoing psychological counseling.

§ Overlooking the Context of 'Counseling'

While 心理咨询 means 'psychological counseling,' it's specifically about mental and emotional well-being. Don't use it for general advice or consultation on other topics. For example, if you need career advice, you wouldn't say '职业心理咨询' (zhíyè xīnlǐ zīxún). You would say '职业咨询' (zhíyè zīxún - career consultation) or '职业指导' (zhíyè zhǐdǎo - career guidance).

Wrong:
我需要关于买房的心理咨询。(Wǒ xūyào guānyú mǎifáng de xīnlǐ zīxún.) - I need psychological counseling about buying a house.
Correct:
我需要关于买房的咨询。(Wǒ xūyào guānyú mǎifáng de zīxún.) - I need consultation about buying a house.

如果你有学习上的困扰,可以寻求学习咨询。(Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu xuéxí shàng de kùnrǎo, kěyǐ xúnqiú xuéxí zīxún.) - If you have academic difficulties, you can seek academic consultation.

§ Incorrectly Using Just '咨询'

While '咨询' (zīxún) alone can mean 'consultation' or 'to consult,' simply using '咨询' when you specifically mean *psychological* counseling can lead to ambiguity. If the context isn't crystal clear that you're talking about mental health, it's best to include '心理' (xīnlǐ) to specify 'psychological.' This avoids misunderstandings and ensures your message is precise.

  • When talking about mental health, be specific: 心理咨询.
  • When talking about general advice or information, '咨询' is fine.

她正在寻找心理咨询服务。(Tā zhèngzài xúnzhǎo xīnlǐ zīxún fúwù.) - She is looking for psychological counseling services.

你可以咨询前台开放时间。(Nǐ kěyǐ zīxún qiántái kāifàng shíjiān.) - You can consult the front desk about opening hours.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Seeking professional help for mental health.

  • 我需要心理咨询。(Wǒ xūyào xīnlǐ zīxún.) - I need psychological counseling.
  • 我想预约心理咨询。(Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē xīnlǐ zīxún.) - I want to book a psychological counseling session.
  • 心理咨询师 (xīnlǐ zīxúnshī) - psychological counselor

Discussing mental well-being with friends or family.

  • 他最近在接受心理咨询。(Tā zuìjìn zài jiēshòu xīnlǐ zīxún.) - He's been getting psychological counseling recently.
  • 心理咨询对她很有帮助。(Xīnlǐ zīxún duì tā hěn yǒu bāngzhù.) - Psychological counseling has been very helpful for her.
  • 你觉得心理咨询有用吗?(Nǐ juédé xīnlǐ zīxún yǒuyòng ma?) - Do you think psychological counseling is useful?

Reading or talking about mental health services.

  • 很多学校都提供心理咨询服务。(Hěn duō xuéxiào dōu tígōng xīnlǐ zīxún fúwù.) - Many schools offer psychological counseling services.
  • 心理咨询的价格 (xīnlǐ zīxún de jiàgé) - the cost of psychological counseling
  • 在线心理咨询 (zàixiàn xīnlǐ zīxún) - online psychological counseling

Explaining your job or someone else's job.

  • 我的工作是心理咨询师。(Wǒ de gōngzuò shì xīnlǐ zīxúnshī.) - My job is a psychological counselor.
  • 她从事心理咨询工作。(Tā cóngshì xīnlǐ zīxún gōngzuò.) - She works in psychological counseling.
  • 心理咨询行业 (xīnlǐ zīxún hángyè) - the psychological counseling industry

Reflecting on personal growth or challenges.

  • 通过心理咨询,我更好地了解了自己。(Tōngguò xīnlǐ zīxún, wǒ gèng hǎo de liǎojiě le zìjǐ.) - Through psychological counseling, I understood myself better.
  • 心理咨询帮助我度过了难关。(Xīnlǐ zīxún bāngzhù wǒ dùguò le nánguān.) - Psychological counseling helped me get through a difficult time.
  • 考虑心理咨询 (kǎolǜ xīnlǐ zīxún) - considering psychological counseling

Conversation Starters

"你对心理咨询有什么看法?(Nǐ duì xīnlǐ zīxún yǒu shénme kànfǎ?) - What are your thoughts on psychological counseling?"

"你知道哪里有好的心理咨询服务吗?(Nǐ zhīdào nǎlǐ yǒu hǎo de xīnlǐ zīxún fúwù ma?) - Do you know where there are good psychological counseling services?"

"你觉得心理咨询在中国普及吗?(Nǐ juédé xīnlǐ zīxún zài Zhōngguó pǔjí ma?) - Do you think psychological counseling is popular in China?"

"如果你的朋友需要心理咨询,你会怎么建议?(Rúguǒ nǐ de péngyǒu xūyào xīnlǐ zīxún, nǐ huì zěnme jiànyì?) - If your friend needed psychological counseling, what would you suggest?"

"你认为心理咨询能解决所有心理问题吗?(Nǐ rénwéi xīnlǐ zīxún néng jiějué suǒyǒu xīnlǐ wèntí ma?) - Do you think psychological counseling can solve all mental problems?"

Journal Prompts

描述你对“心理咨询”的初次印象和现在的看法。(Miáoshù nǐ duì “xīnlǐ zīxún” de chūcì yìnxiàng hé xiànzài de kànfǎ.) - Describe your first impression of 'psychological counseling' and your current views.

你觉得人们为什么会寻求心理咨询?(Nǐ juédé rénmen wèishénme huì xúnqiú xīnlǐ zīxún?) - Why do you think people seek psychological counseling?

如果有一天你需要心理咨询,你会选择什么样的咨询师?(Rúguǒ yǒu yī tiān nǐ xūyào xīnlǐ zīxún, nǐ huì xuǎnzé shénme yàng de zīxúnshī?) - If one day you needed psychological counseling, what kind of counselor would you choose?

在你看来,心理咨询最重要的作用是什么?(Zài nǐ kàn lái, xīnlǐ zīxún zuì zhòngyào de zuòyòng shì shénme?) - In your opinion, what is the most important role of psychological counseling?

你认为社会应该如何更好地支持心理咨询的发展?(Nǐ rénwéi shèhuì yīnggāi rúhé gèng hǎo de zhīchí xīnlǐ zīxún de fāzhǎn?) - How do you think society should better support the development of psychological counseling?

Test Yourself 30 questions

writing A2

Write a short sentence about why someone might need psychological counseling. (Hint: feeling sad, stressed)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

他因为感到难过和有压力,所以需要心理咨询。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing A2

Imagine your friend is feeling down. Write a short message suggesting they consider psychological counseling.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

我的朋友心情不好,我建议他可以考虑心理咨询。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing A2

Write a simple sentence stating that psychological counseling can help people.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

心理咨询可以帮助人们解决问题。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
reading A2

根据短文,小王的朋友建议他做什么?

Read this passage:

小王最近总是睡不好,感觉很累。他的朋友告诉他,可以去试试心理咨询。心理咨询能帮助他找到问题的根源,并学习如何应对压力。

根据短文,小王的朋友建议他做什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 去心理咨询

短文说'他的朋友告诉他,可以去试试心理咨询。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 去心理咨询

短文说'他的朋友告诉他,可以去试试心理咨询。'

reading A2

根据短文,心理咨询可以帮助人们解决什么?

Read this passage:

很多人在生活中会遇到各种各样的困难,比如学习压力大,或者和家人朋友相处不好。这时候,心理咨询可以提供专业的帮助,让人感到更轻松。

根据短文,心理咨询可以帮助人们解决什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 学习压力和人际关系问题

短文提到'学习压力大,或者和家人朋友相处不好。这时候,心理咨询可以提供专业的帮助。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 学习压力和人际关系问题

短文提到'学习压力大,或者和家人朋友相处不好。这时候,心理咨询可以提供专业的帮助。'

reading A2

短文鼓励人们在什么情况下寻求心理咨询?

Read this passage:

如果你感到情绪低落,或者总是很焦虑,不要害怕寻求帮助。心理咨询是一个很好的选择,它能帮你更好地理解自己,也能让你学会如何管理自己的情绪。

短文鼓励人们在什么情况下寻求心理咨询?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 感到情绪低落或焦虑的时候

短文说'如果你感到情绪低落,或者总是很焦虑,不要害怕寻求帮助。心理咨询是一个很好的选择。'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 感到情绪低落或焦虑的时候

短文说'如果你感到情绪低落,或者总是很焦虑,不要害怕寻求帮助。心理咨询是一个很好的选择。'

fill blank B1

她觉得压力很大,所以决定去做___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理咨询

Context indicates stress, so 'psychological counseling' fits best.

fill blank B1

经过几次___,他的情绪明显好转了。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理咨询

The sentence talks about emotional improvement, which is a result of psychological counseling.

fill blank B1

如果你感到困惑,不妨考虑寻求专业___的帮助。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理咨询

When feeling confused, professional psychological counseling is a logical solution.

fill blank B1

许多学校现在都提供___服务,帮助学生解决心理问题。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理咨询

Schools offer psychological counseling to address students' mental health issues.

fill blank B1

他因为失眠问题去做了___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理咨询

Insomnia is often a psychological issue that can be addressed by counseling.

fill blank B1

对一些人来说,定期进行___有助于维持心理健康。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理咨询

Regular psychological counseling is a way to maintain mental health.

sentence order B1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 需要 寻求 心理咨询 帮助 的时候

This sentence structure expresses 'when in need of psychological counseling help'.

sentence order B1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我的 心理咨询 对 情况 很有用

This arrangement means 'My psychological counseling is very useful for the situation.'

sentence order B1

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 他 决定 接受 心理咨询 建议

This forms the sentence 'He decided to accept the psychological counseling advice.'

writing B2

You are feeling overwhelmed with work and personal life. Write a short message (around 50-70 characters) to a friend explaining that you are considering seeking psychological counseling and why.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

最近工作和生活压力太大,有点撑不住了。我在考虑去接受心理咨询,希望能找到一些应对的方法。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing B2

Imagine you are writing a public service announcement about mental health. Write a sentence encouraging people to consider psychological counseling if they are struggling.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

如果您在生活中遇到困难,请不要犹豫,寻求心理咨询是勇敢而明智的选择。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing B2

Translate the following English sentence into Chinese: "Psychological counseling can help people deal with stress and emotional problems."

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

心理咨询可以帮助人们处理压力和情绪问题。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
reading B2

根据短文,小李的朋友建议他做什么?

Read this passage:

小李最近总是失眠,白天也提不起精神。他的朋友建议他去医院看看心理医生,因为心理咨询可能会帮助他找到失眠的原因并改善睡眠质量。

根据短文,小李的朋友建议他做什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 去看心理医生

短文明确提到“他的朋友建议他去医院看看心理医生”。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 去看心理医生

短文明确提到“他的朋友建议他去医院看看心理医生”。

reading B2

根据短文,为什么越来越多的人寻求心理咨询服务?

Read this passage:

随着社会节奏的加快,越来越多的人开始关注自己的心理健康。当遇到无法解决的心理困扰时,寻求专业的心理咨询服务已经成为一种常见的选择。

根据短文,为什么越来越多的人寻求心理咨询服务?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理困扰无法解决

短文指出“当遇到无法解决的心理困扰时,寻求专业的心理咨询服务已经成为一种常见的选择”。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心理困扰无法解决

短文指出“当遇到无法解决的心理困扰时,寻求专业的心理咨询服务已经成为一种常见的选择”。

reading B2

王女士预约心理咨询师的原因是什么?

Read this passage:

王女士最近感到非常焦虑,她决定预约一位心理咨询师。在第一次咨询中,她向咨询师详细讲述了她的家庭和工作情况。

王女士预约心理咨询师的原因是什么?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 她感到非常焦虑

短文明确说明“王女士最近感到非常焦虑,她决定预约一位心理咨询师”。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 她感到非常焦虑

短文明确说明“王女士最近感到非常焦虑,她决定预约一位心理咨询师”。

listening C2

She decided to seek psychological counseling for life's pressures.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 面对生活中的压力,她决定寻求心理咨询的帮助。
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening C2

Professional psychological counselors can offer effective support and guidance.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 专业的心理咨询师可以提供有效的支持和指导。
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening C2

Through psychological counseling, he gradually overcame his difficulties.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 通过心理咨询,他逐渐走出了困境。
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

你认为心理咨询在中国社会中的接受度如何?

Focus: 咨询 (zī xún)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

请阐述心理咨询对于个人成长和发展的重要性。

Focus: 重要性 (zhòng yào xìng)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking C2

Read this aloud:

如果你的朋友面临心理困扰,你会建议他寻求心理咨询吗?为什么?

Focus: 困扰 (kùn rǎo)

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 30 correct

Perfect score!

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