Counseling and Consultation
Counseling and consultation
School counselors use brief, goal-focused counseling and consultative services. Know major approaches: person-centered (empathy, unconditional positive regard, congruence), cognitive-behavioral (thoughts-feelings-actions), solution-focused (exceptions, scaling, miracle question), Adlerian (encouragement, belonging, lifestyle), reality/choice (wants, doing, evaluation, planning), and family systems (interaction patterns). Across approaches, use active listening, open questions, reflection, summary, and confidentiality within limits. Group work moves through forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning; confidentiality in groups cannot be guaranteed, so establish norms. The relationship and cultural fit matter as much as technique.
Consultation is an indirect service: you work with a teacher, parent, or team to help a student. Models include collaborative, expert, and process consultation. Do not slip into counseling the consultee or diagnosing the student. In crisis, prioritize safety and protocol over theoretical purity.
Traps
Questions may reward advice-giving, labeling, or using one theory for every student. Also distinguish counseling (direct) from consultation (indirect), and know that consultation does not require the student’s full disclosure. Avoid promising group confidentiality.
Worked example
A student panics before tests. A solution-focused counselor asks, “What is different on days you handle tests better?” and scales confidence 1–10, then builds one small next step. Rule of thumb: match the approach to the student, setting, and goal; monitor progress.