First, the article explains the circumstances under which communications between a client and the therapist are confidential. Some exceptions to the requirement of confidentiality are also noted. These include when a client poses an imminent threat of violence to self or others; when the client admits physically, emotionally, or sexually abusing a child or an elderly person; when the client is too disabled to be independent; when counseling is mandatory; in fitness-for-duty evaluations; and under circumstances of peer counseling and critical-incident debriefings. Second, the article lists some of the reasons for seeking counseling; they include emotional pain, poor self-esteem, difficulties in coping with daily life, stress- related medical problems, severe depression, chronic irritability, marital problems, sexual problems, and family problems. Other issues addressed are where to look and how to pay for counseling, selection of a therapist, finding the treatment needed, some signs that the therapist has crossed the bounds of professionalism, and realistic expectations for therapy.