nõustav

Nõustav is an Estonian adjective meaning advisory or consultative. It describes anything that provides guidance, advice, or consultation to individuals or organizations. In public administration, business, education, and healthcare, nõustav is used to characterize services, roles, or approaches whose primary aim is to offer expert recommendations rather than to enact changes themselves.

Examples of usage include nõustav teenus (an advisory service), nõustav komisjon (an advisory committee), or nõustav lähenemine (a consultative approach). The term is often paired with nouns such as teenus, amet, or roll to indicate the function of giving guidance. In many contexts, it complements or contrasts with more directive or executive activities.

Related terms include nõustaja (adviser), nõustamine (counseling or the act of advising), and konsulteeriv or konsultaatiivne (consultative). The word derives from nõu (advice) and the verb nõustada (to advise); the form nõustav is the present participle-like adjective indicating 'advisory' or 'providing guidance.'

While closely related to counseling, nõustav emphasizes the presence of guidance rather than the process of ongoing personal support, which is more typical of nõustamine. Its usage is common in formal documents, policy texts, and organizational descriptions.