This document discusses patient counseling in pharmacies. It defines patient counseling as providing information to help patients use medications appropriately. The goals of counseling are to improve understanding of illness and treatment, medication adherence, health outcomes and quality of life. Effective counseling requires strong communication skills and follows steps of preparing, opening, providing content, and closing the session. Barriers to counseling include patient factors like language or time, provider knowledge and skills, and systemic issues. Strategies can help address these barriers.