Consultation and Collaboration, Part 2

Question 1: Define consulting and discuss the triadic relationship of consulting.

Answer 1: Consulting is the process by which one professional refers to another professional about a case or situation. As a school psychologist, this may involve being the consultant or consulting with another mental health professional about a student. The consulting relationship is triadic due to the cooperation of three parties: the consultee, the consultant, and the client. The relationship is developed in order to solve a specific goal. For example, a school psychologist may consult with another mental health professional about a student with a severe behavioral problem. In the process of this relationship, two things will typically occur: a solution is developed for the problem at hand and the consultee expands his or her knowledge base on a particular problem.

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Question 2: Discuss five of the eleven main characteristics of consulting.

Answer 2: (1) The consultant is an indirect services provider to the client. This is so because the consultant will typically only meet with the consultee, not the client. (2) Consultants may be internal or external. Within the school environment, an internal consultant may be another school psychologist or counselor within the same school or district. An external consultant may include a private practice psychiatrist. In general, the consultant relationship is voluntary when consulting from one professional to another; no fees are collected for consulting. (3) This relationship is strictly professional and does not deal with personal concerns of the consultee.(4) This relationship maintains a collaborative environment in that both the consultant and consultee work together to find solutions. (5) Consulting is formal and organized with a defined problem and goals.

Question 3: Describe the mental health model of consultation.

Answer 3: When discussing the mental health model of consultation, it is important to understand that the consultant is the mental health expert often called to consult on or to directly diagnose a mental health issue. Conversely, the consultee may be a professional or non professional who administers the treatment based on the expert’s diagnosis. There are four main approaches to this type of consultation, including client-centered, consultee-centered, program-centered, and consultee-centered administration. In the client-centered form, the consultant will assess the case and help the consultee develop an appropriate treatment plan. In the consultee-centered form, the consultant focuses on increasing the knowledge of the consultee. In the program-centered form, the consultant may focus on developing or enhancing a specific treatment program to be administered by other professionals or non-professionals. Finally, in the consultee-centered administrative form, the consultant focuses on the functions of the consultee’s job; in other words, the consultant helps the consultee do the job more effectively (e.g., taking effective case notes or completing the proper informed consent forms).

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