As a priest who occasionally administer the sacrament of reconciliation to our parishioners according to an assigned schedule, I have observed that whenever people come to me to confess their sins, many would bring in their (personal and communal) problems instead of asking forgiveness for their sins. I could see that what they need is, at least, some counsel or advice that could help them resolve present or lingering difficulties. Of course, there are instances where sins are tied with problems and it could be probable that such problems could be the cause why the person commits the sin.
Nonetheless, when the confessee starts to pour out his/her problems in the confessional box, I politely tell them that the proper forum for the resolution of problems is counselling (sessions) and not the sacrament of reconciliation. Subsequently I request them to see a priest-counsellor with whom they could talk to, but before this, I ask them if they have sins to confess. In most cases, they decline and say "no" which means they're just there in need of someone who can help them.
Sins forgiven are proper of sacramental confession in the same way that problems to be resolved are proper of guidance and counselling.
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