Qualities of the Consultant
Traits Required
The effective Consultant
 is aware of the psychological, sociological,
educational factors that may underlie
certain maladaptive patterns of behavior.
 has expertise in a variety of areas where
his/her services may be needed.
 has a knowledge of the resources that the
consultee may need.
 has the ability to make sound judgments
and make the appropriate decisions.
 is dedicated, conscientious and industrious
enough to continually update himself/
herself in the various areas on which he/
she may be consulted.
 is someone who exudes confidence, ease
in dealing with people, and equanimity.
 is interested in helping and concerned
about the welfare of the consultee and the
client.
 is articulate and systematic.
 is intelligent and creative.
 is assertive enough to communicate and
demonstrate the role as an effective
Consultant.
Special Skills Required
 recognizing & understanding differing
environments;
 listening and observing;
 communicating skills like paraphrasing, asking
questions, explaining and feedback-giving;
 problem-solving skills;
 evaluation skills; “The mutual sharing and analysis of
 facilitating, coordinating, mediating, planning, information with the administration/
educating, and motivating. management, faculty, and parents to
facilitate decision-making and learning
about strategies for helping the counselee.”
Knowledge and Abilities Required
1. understanding human growth and Shetzer and Stone, 1981
development, adjustment processes and
difficulties and the needs they bring about
2. understanding the importance of attending
to the psychoeducational processes operating
in the classroom
3. the ability to assess individuals’
characteristics and to use discoveries for the
development of the persons’ potentials
4. special knowledge of educational and career
development and opportunities
5. ability to communicate, counsel, and consult
with parents, fellow educators, and the
community
6. understanding of group processes,
motivation and change

Consultant
Being the expert on how to respond to needs
and behaviors, he/she may be sought by parents,
teachers, administrators, or spouses, for guide-
lines on how to deal with a person or situation.
A Consultant is an individual with a special
expertise, knowledge and skill in a specific area.
He/she is the helper in a triad that includes the
consultee- the person who consults, and the
client- the object of the consultation.
Nature and Purpose
Consultation is the activity engaged in by the
individual whom his/her expertise is requested by
another party or organization, usually to enable
the latter to assist another – a third party or an
organization (Gibson & Mitchell, 1999).
Basic Assumptions
1. The existing need cannot be adequately handled by
the individual/organization requesting consultation.
2. The Consultant has the special expertise required to
assist the requesting party or consultee.
3. The consultee has the capacity to carry out the 2. Prescriptive Model
Consultant’s recommendations.
 Consultant is expected to validate the
4. The Consultant understands and considers the
consultee’s diagnosis and treatment plan or
organizational and environmental context .
to explore other options for defining and
solving a specific problem.
Stages / Steps in the Consultation Process
Direct Individual Response Educational Consulting
Techniques (DIRECT) Method 3. Collaboration Model
 The Consultant’s goal is to facilitate the
1. Establish a Consulting Relationship consultee’s self-direction and innate capacity
2. Clarify the Problem Situation
to solve problems.
3. Determine Desired Outcomes
 Together, the consultant and the consultee
4. Developing Ideas and Strategies
can work for the revision of the intervention
5. Develop a Plan
6. Specify the Plan to include overcoming the constraints or
7. Confirm the Consulting Relationship limitations.
Consultation Models 4. Mediation Model
Kurpius and Fuqua (1993)  It is the consultant who recognizes a
persisting problem, gathers, analyzes, and
1. Provision Model
synthesizes existing information; defines the
 is used when a potential consultee
problem; decides on the most appropriate
encounters a problem which because of
intervention; then calls together the persons
lack of time, interest, and competence he/
who have direct contact with the problem
she cannot define objectively, and/or for
and have the greatest potential to influence
which he cannot identify possible solutions,
desired change.
or implement and evaluate a problem-
solving strategy.