The aim of this study is to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of counseling skills training and counselor education through the medium of understanding the opinions of counselor candidates regarding counseling skills training. The research group consisted of 67 counselor candidates who voluntarily participated in the study. The research data was collected by three different qualitative data collection tools developed by the researchers. Content analysis was carried out and the results indicated five main themes: Counseling Skills, Specific Skills Training Methods, Perceptions of Counseling, Being a Counselor Candidate, the Learning and Teaching Process of Counseling Skills. The results also showed that within the scope of systematic counseling skills training programs, using various skill training methods and instructional technologies which are integrated compatibly was effective. At the same time, the results indicated that counseling skills training provided an increase in professional competency and helped to develop the professional identity of counselor candidates. The results are discussed and interpreted in light of the literature. Besides, some suggestions are provided to counselor educators and researchers
