All too often health professionals focus on their clients’ weaknesses rather than on their abilities. Although it is often helpful to acknowledge what has been lost, counselling is most successful when working to develop an individual’s strengths. Our career counsellors, often working with physiotherapists, can provide clients with a process of personal exploration which augments their strengths and identifies other skills. Self-esteem and confidence can be enhanced. We encourage our clients to consider skills from other areas of life — such as from hobbies, relationships, and community service. Expertise and skills employed in a prior job may reveal abilities that can be transferred to new employment. Personality, interest and aptitude testing can help to identify alternatives that may not have been previously considered.