I think counselling is important because, you can have a let out on how you feel without them knowing you personally. Guidance is always good because you can figure out easier ways too get through things!

An alternative and perhaps more cynical viewpoint:

Alone - it may be is useless (e.g. Woody Allen). Must be simultaneously and continuously used with the many types of group therapy and group interaction. Don't believe the Abrahamites (after this one life, there is no planetary accountability). In the views of most scientists, Homo sapiens has evolved into a compulsive social animal, limited psychologically and socially into socio-cultural stereotypes (via "language"). Deviation from the acceptable stereotypes often results in imprisonment, being crippled in any of many ways or perhaps death. If one-to-one professional counselling is used, it is best at the time and place suited best for the client. This usually means a situational life-presence, in geographical real-time, or by phone links (many types), in REAL time, under total control of the client, often with anonymity and privacy.