What is the role of a counselor in informational counseling?

In informational counseling, the primary role of a counselor is to provide clients with specific information that can help them make informed decisions or understand a situation better. This encompasses delivering factual data, resources, guidance on various topics, and answering questions the client might have. The counselor focuses on addressing the needs of the client by ensuring they have the relevant information needed for their specific concerns or goals.

This approach contrasts with sharing personal experiences, which is more characteristic of therapeutic or supportive counseling where personal anecdotes may help clients relate to their situations. Conducting therapy sessions typically involves deeper emotional work, which goes beyond simply providing information, while facilitating discussions among peers is focused on group dynamics rather than delivering tailored informational support. Thus, the emphasis in informational counseling is on the accurate and thoughtful provision of relevant information, making "offering special information to the client" the most fitting description of the counselor's role.