Every year, thousands of people train in counselling skills and many more consider training, often having a romantic view of what being a counsellor involves. This guide aims to offer a clear introduction to the realities of counsellor training and to help people assess their strengths and weaknesses and decide if they have the right qualities to succeed. It discusses the realities, demands and rewards of counselling work and describes the job prospects including working for an agency and in private practise. It includes case studies and a self-assessment questionnaire.