
Consultation in counseling is the formal
process by which individuals meet to
solve a problem.
1. The consultant establishes rapport with
the consultee
 2. The consultant explains the
consultation process and defines
responsibilities of each member.
 3. The consultant works with the
consultee to assess and define the
problem in clear, specific terms, and set
a goal related to the identified problem.

4. Once a goal has been set, solutions are
brainstormed, evaluated, selected, and
implemented.
 5. After an intervention has been executed,
the consultant and consultee determine its
effectiveness and whether it makes sense
to terminate the consultative relationship
because the goal has been achieved or to
return to the drawing board to devise and
try another strategy.
 6. The process continues until the
overarching objective has been met.

Triadic-dependent model consists of a
consultant, a consultee, and a client.
 Consultee seeks advice from an expert
(consultant) about a third party.
 Client may be an individual, a group, a
family, or an organization.
 Consultee relies on the consultant for
help in resolving the client’s problem.
 Consultee puts consultant’s
recommendations into action.

A professional counselor who is having
trouble helping a certain client may
consult with her supervisor.
 Based on the supervisor’s comments and
suggestions, the counselor then applies
the advice to improve her client’s
functioning.


The consultee relies on consultant for
help while both parties contribute their
unique background and skills to resolve
the problem.





A teacher approaches school counselor about
a student who has been disrupting class.
Teacher depends on school counselor for
advice;
the school counselor draws on the teacher’s
familiarity with the student and information
about the teacher’s teaching style and
strategies that have not worked.
Counselor formulates a plan and potential
solution.
Consultee and consultant collaborate to help
client.
Is ideal for addressing problems that are
intricate and involve the larger society.
 No “expert” is part of this model.
 Everyone who participates in the
consultation process holds equal
authority and depends on the others for
their specialized knowledge, making it
necessary for each member to
contribute to the problem-solving
process.

Problem : how to reduce homeless
youth.
 Participants would include a counselor,
parents, students, social workers,
community members.
 Everyone would be responsible for
sharing their ideas and working
cooperatively and collaboratively to
brainstorm and implement potential
solutions.
