Issues in consultant-client relationship

Entry & Contracting The potential client may be present the problem and the consultant tries to fix the problem. When both the parties agree this becomes part of the overall psychological contract between consultants and clients. Contracting, in both psychological and financial sense, occurs over and over in OD consulting.

Defining the Client System 1st Model: The initial single manager is the client 2nd Model: The top management team comprises the initial client group. 3rd Model: the client might be in a steering committee comprising of representatives from different levels and functional areas.

The Trust issue in consultant-client relationship Client’s Trust on the consultant: Key clients may be Fearful that- Things will get out of hands with an outsider intervening in the system  Organization will be overwhelmed with petty complaints  People will be encouraged to criticize their superiors

Consultants trust of the client may start as neutral Understanding client’s motive  Trust & resistance problem also centers on good guy - bad guy syndrome  Confidentiality must be maintained

Consultant’s Expertise need to clarify his/her role “Purchase-of-expertise” or “Doctor-Patient Role” – The overriding desire to please the client may reduce her/his effectiveness Objective of the OD expert to help the client to develop its own resources. The expert role creates a kind of dependency that does not lead to the internal development.Trust factor,Expectancy

Why talk to a counsellor? Counsellors are different from friends and family they are outside your daily life will not judge, criticise or make assumptions neutral only source of information about you is you

Why talk to a counsellor? You might need: space to talk no pressure professional advice

Counselling can help to ... understand yourself think things through acknowledge feelings work through them change negative patterns consider options make choices

concerns when thinking about counselling Does going to a counsellor mean I’m a failure? It might make me worse I don’t want to be reminded of how bad I feel What would my friends think? I might get upset Suppose I won’t know what to say? I can sort my problems on my own concerns when thinking about counselling Maybe I won’t like the counsellor It’s like saying I’m weak I feel ashamed of my problems Once you start counselling it never ends If I go to counselling will it all be sorted? No-one can understand how I feel Counselling could get in the way of my studies I don’t want to talk to a stranger I really must be in a bad way

it involves facing yourself Coming to counselling takes courage - it involves facing yourself Counselling is a commitment of time and energy Counselling is an investment in you

Student Counselling Service Assessment One-to-one counselling Group therapy Workshops Referral to other services Consultation for staff who are concerned about how to deal with students in distress

The Student Counselling Service is free confidential

Suicide Risk Factors Current/past difficulties Changes in sleeping/ eating/ energy patterns Isolation Addictions Previous attempts Suicide by friend/family member Suicidal Ideation Suicide Plan Depressed Mood Dissociation