Yes, being asked that question can be quite surprising all right. It's like if you went to a doctor and described exactly what's ailing you, and then s/he turns around says, "Well, what can I do to help you?!" (Not quite the same thing, I know.) That's why it's always good to know right from the outset why you want the counseling. Then you can ask them straight away that you'd like them to help you with this, this, and this, please. And if they say they can't really help you with that, then you can just leave and not spend the next 10 years talking round and round in circles and not really making any progress.