 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.