Mental health articles

As a consultant, you will frequently be called on to solve problems. Some may argue that consultation can be defined as problem solving. In many instances, your clients will have repeatedly attempted and failed to solve the problems they are currently facing. Bringing in an outside, objective perspective can be helpful in re-conceptualizing the situation. […]

The quality of the interactions with consultees is crucial to the success of consultation, just as the quality of interactions with clients is crucial to success in therapy. Gallup (1998) listed several qualities that characterize a good consulting relationship: a workable rapport, compatible problem-solving style, integrity, open communications, clear goals, and reasonable outcome measures. Successful […]

INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS As evidenced by the foregoing, there are many types of consulting work, and many kinds of professionals who may call themselves consultants. We can divide consultants into two broad categories: internal and external. An internal consultant provides consulting services within the organization. An internal consultant is a direct employee of the […]

Checklist of Consultant Competencies Personal and Interpersonal Effectiveness 1. Self-knowledge: Awareness of the values and beliefs that influence the way one works. 2. Self-awareness: Awareness of one’s own emotional responses to situations and people, especially patterns. 3. Active listening: Attending to the content and process level in communication. 4. Self-expression: Ability to express one’s own […]

SKILLS OF THE CONSULTANT There are three major skills areas for consultants: technical skills, interpersonal skills, and consulting skills. Technical skills comprise an area of expertise. If you have 30 years of experience in managing inpatient hospital units, then you can probably consult with developing inpatient programs on how to run their units efficiently. If […]

The roles taken on by consultants are unlike those of most clinicians, though there may be some similarities to therapists’ traditional roles. Consultants focus on the empowerment of others. Just as in therapy, consultants do not want their clients to become dependent on them, but seek to replace themselves so that clients can continue to […]

The practice of consultation probably dates back to prehistoric humankind. Even before the emergence of spoken language, someone more skilled at hunting could have assisted someone less skilled on becoming a more efficient hunter. As a serious and formal area of systematic study, however, the complex field of psychological consultation based on scientific principles began […]

A Typical Day for a Full-Time Consultant 7:30 A.M. Have breakfast at the Racquet Club with the managing partner of a law firm to discuss her business and personal concerns. 9:30 A.M. Work with an executive who is the victim of downsizing on career assessment. 11:00 A.M. Consult with a company concerned about a potentially […]