M4.1 Consultation

Question 1

What is the activity engaged in by the individual when his/her expertise is requested by another party or organization, usually to enable to latter to assist another—a third party or an organization (Gibson & Mitchell, 1999)?

Answer 1

Consultation

Question 2

What is consultation?

Answer 2

It is the activity engaged in by the individual when his/her expertise is requested by another party or organization, usually to enable to latter to assist another—a third party or an organization (Gibson & Mitchell, 1999).

Question 3

What is the most important benefit derived from the Consultation in the school setting?

Answer 3

In the school setting, the most important benefit derived from Consultation is that work with the clients is facilitated. The significant others dealing with them are assisted in improving the environment or situation that contributes to the problem.

Question 4

What are the basic assumptions of Consultation?

Answer 4

Gibson and Mitchell (1999 p.360) present some assumptions that justify Consultation:

1. The existing need cannot be adequately handled by the individual or organization requesting consultation.
2. The Consultation has the special expertise required to assist the requesting party or consultee.
3. The consultee has the capacity to carry out the Consultant’s recommendations.
4. The Consultant understands and takes into consideration the organizational and environmental context within which his/her suggestions will be applied and their possible consequences.

Question 5

What are the stages/steps of the consultation process?

Answer 5

1. Establish a Consulting Relationship.
2. Clarify the Problem Situation.
3. Determine Desired Outcome.
4. Developing Ideas and Strategies.
5. Develop a Plan.
6. Specify the Plan.
7. Confirm the Consulting Relationship.

Question 6

What are the consultation models?

Answer 6

1. Provision Model
2. Prescriptive Model
3. Collaboration Model
4. Mediation Model

Question 7

What is the Provision Model?

Answer 7

The Provision Model is used when a potential consultee encounters a problem which because of lack of time, interest, and competence he/she cannot define objectively, and/or for which he cannot identify possible solutions, or implement and evaluate a problem-solving strategy. The Consultant provides a direct service to a third party that calls for no further intervention from the consultee.

Question 8

What is used when a potential consultee encounters a problem which because of lack of time interest, and competence he/she cannot define objectively, and/or for which he cannot identify possible solutions, or implement and evaluate a problem-solving strategy?

Answer 8

Provision Model

Question 9

What model is it when the consultant provides a direct service to a third party that calls for no further intervention from the consultee?

Answer 9

Provision Model

Question 10

What is the Prescriptive Model?

Answer 10

The Consultant is expected to validate the consultee’s diagnosis and treatment plan or to explore other options for defining and solving a specific problem. In this model, it is important that: a) the information needed to define and solve the problem is accurate and discussed sufficiently; b) the Consultant’s prescribed plan is accepted for implementation by the consultee as designed; c) a decision is arrived at as to whether the Consultant, consultee or both will evaluate the process and outcomes of the prescribed plan; d) the consultee makes known any desire for modifications in the prescription.

Question 11

What model is it when the Consultant is expected to validate the consultee’s diagnosis and treatment plan or to explore other options for defining and solving a specific problem?

Answer 11

Prescriptive Model

Question 12

What is the important information in the Prescriptive Model?

Answer 12

n this model, it is important that:

a) the information needed to define and solve the problem is accurate and discussed sufficiently;
b) the Consultant’s prescribed plan is accepted for implementation by the consultee as designed;
c) a decision is arrived at as to whether the Consultant, consultee or both will evaluate the process and outcomes of the prescribed plan;
d) the consultee makes known any desire for modifications in the prescription.

Question 13

What is the Collaboration Model?

Answer 13

The Consultant’s goal is to facilitate the consultee’s self-direction and innate capacity to solve problems. The objective is to help people develop a plan for solving problems. As a catalyst, the Consultant helps consultees to share observations, concepts, and proven practices and helps consultees to share observations, concepts, and proven practices and to examine facilitating or debilitating forces in both the immediate and larger environments. The consultant may actually propose enhancement programs to help consultees hone their problem-solving skills. Elements of effective problem-solving—from problem definition, goal setting, study and analysis of different strategies for handling different types of concerns, application of these strategies in the appropriate way in the appropriate context—are the major highlights of the collaboration method.

Question 14

What model is it when the Consultant’s goal is to facilitate the consultee’s self-direction and innate capacity to solve problems?

Answer 14

Collaboration Model

Question 15

What model is it when the objective is to help people develop a plan for solving problems?

Answer 15

Collaboration Model

Question 16

What model is it when as a catalyst, the Consultant helps consultees to share observations, concepts, and proven practices and helps consultees to share observations, concepts, and proven practices and to examine facilitating or debilitating forces in both the immediate and larger environments?

Answer 16

Collaboration Model

Question 17

What is the model wherein the consultant may actually propose enhancement programs to help consultees hone their problem-solving skills?

Answer 17

Collaboration Model

Question 18

What model is it wherein the elements of effective problem-solving—from problem definition, goal setting, study and analysis of different strategies for handling different types of concerns, application of these strategies in the appropriate way in the appropriate context—are the major highlights?

Answer 18

Collaboration Model

Question 19

It is the Consultant who recognizes a persisting problem; gathers, analyzes, and synthesizes existing information; defines the problem; decides on the most appropriate intervention; then calls together the persons who have direct contact with the problem and have the greatest potential to influence desired change.

Answer 19

Mediation Model

Question 20

What are the required traits of a consultant?

Answer 20

• ss aware of the psychological, sociological, educational factors that may underlie certain maladaptive patterns of behavior.
• has expertise in a variety of the resources that the consultee or the client may need.
• has the ability to make sound judgment to make the appropriate decisions for client where necessary.
• is dedicated, conscientious and industrious enough to continually update himself/herself in the various areas on which he/she may be consulted.
• is someone who exudes confidence, ease in dealing with people, and equanimity, so as to earn the respect and trust of consultees and clients.
• is interested in helping and concerned about the welfare of the consultee and the client.
• is articulate and systematic—able to present strategies and their theoretical framework in ways that are easily understood.
• is intelligent and creative—able to flex and shift according to adjustments needed by the consultee or the client, or the demands of the situation.
• is assertive enough to communicate.

Question 21

What are the special skills required?

Answer 21

• Recognizing and understanding differing environments and their impact on populations and organizations.
• Counseling skills such as listening and observing
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Evaluation skills
• Facilitating, coordinating, mediating, planning, educating, and motivating

Question 22

Dealing with students means dealing with their developmental or adjustment concerns. According to Gibson and Mitchell (1999, p. 165-166) these would require what? (knowledge and abilities required)

Answer 22

1. understanding human growth and development, adjustment processes and difficulties and the needs they bring about
2. understanding the importance of attending to the psychoeducational processes operating in the classroom
3. the ability to assess individuals’ characteristics and to use discoveries for the development of the persons’ potentials
4. special knowledge of educational and career development and opportunities
5. the ability to communicate, counsel, and consult with parents, fellow educators, and the community
6. understanding of group processes, motivation, and change

Question 23

The counselor usually gathers data from which a profile of the characteristics and needs of the client population can be drawn. This information is useful for planning and management.

Answer 23

Consulting with the School Administrator/Management

Question 24

Because of their constant contact with students, the teachers are the ones in a position to see what students. They are also the most affected by students’ maladaptive behavior, demotivation, underachievement and similar problems. The counselor’s expertise in human behavior and development, combined with the teacher’s expertise in instructional methods and materials, can create and excellent foundation for a team effort in planning and providing a productive learning environment

Answer 24

Consulting with Teachers

Question 25

Certain programs can also be offered to the students. While the Guidance and Counseling Programs of yesteryears would consider these special activities, Thompson (1992) has included them as belonging properly to the Consultation Services. In this case, the Mediation Model may be used as students may not feel the need for these programs. The Provision Model may also be used since other people in the school could have brought up the necessity of responding to certain needs manifested by the students.

Answer 25

Consulting with Students

Question 26

Consulting with parents will occur mainly in school or in private counseling clinics. Sometimes, the Mediation Model is used especially when the counselor discovers—through discussions with teachers/administrators, problem checklists and interviews/counseling with children—that problems with parents underlie maladaptive behaviors, lack of motivation, and unhappiness. The counselor may initiate programs to improve the parent-child relationship.

Answer 26

Consulting with Parents

Question 27

What are the consulting in schools?

Answer 27

1. Consulting with the School Administrator/Management
2. Consulting with Teachers
3. Consulting with Students
4. Consulting with Parents

Question 28

Define Establish a Consulting Relationship.

Answer 28

This involves establishing rapport, gaining an understanding of the consultee and the problem-situation, and setting the direction of the session. Empathic responses made by the Consultant set the tone for the helping relationship. The Consultant clarifies responsibilities.

Question 29

Define Clarify the Problem Situation.

Answer 29

Aside from hearing the “presenting problem” the Consultant must be able to hear the “real” problem as well. To ensure that the true problem and its coverage are considered, the problem may be redefined, enlarged or narrowed in scope.

Question 30

Define Determine Desired Outcome.

Answer 30

Specific behaviors or goals are set by the consultee in measurable and observable terms.

Question 31

Define Developing Ideas and Strategies.

Answer 31

Brainstorming is done to discover ideas that could lead to the desired outcomes. The Consultant facilitates the process by being open to new ideas presented and, possibly, offering further strategies.

Question 32

Define Develop a Plan.

Answer 32

After each idea is weighed in terms of the desired outcome, a plan of action is defined. The consultee is apprised of changes required by the plan. A final plan is selected through a collaborative discussion between Consultant and consultee.

Question 33

Define Specify the Plan.

Answer 33

Details necessary for successful plan implementation are spelled out. The Consultant helps the consultee break down the plan into sequential format. The Consultant encourages immediate consultee action on the first step of the plan.

Question 34

Define Confirm the Consulting Relationship.

Answer 34

In the concluding step, an ongoing relationship is affirmed, and a discussion of the problem-solving process is initiated. The consultee thus begins to learn the sequence of problem-solving steps. A follow-up meeting is proposed to monitor the progress of the plan agreed upon and to continue consultee growth in problem-solving.