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Professional Consultation

Although the definition of professional consultation varies across settings, consultation is widely referred to as a problem-solving process initiated to better equip consultees with the necessary skill sets to work with clients and to improve services provided to clients. Consultants can be internal or external professionals and participation is voluntary for both consultant and consultee. The relationship between professional consultant and consultee is non-hierarchical with the consultee receiving direct service from the consultant, and acting as the medium through which the client receives indirect service from the consultant. As such, the relationship is triadic in nature between the consultant, consultee, and client, and the problem-solving process that takes place can be either preventive or remedial in nature.

Competencies that a psychologist should possess include:

  1. Awareness of and ability to articulate role and working capacity of the profession relative to other professionals in social service agencies

  2. In-depth professional knowledge of different treatment, approaches and intervention, and discuss evidence-based practices and their objectives when providing consultations

  3. Demonstrate effective and appropriate skills in communicating information, advice, instruction or professional advice clearly to peers and other social service professionals, clients, families and caregivers

  4. Demonstrate knowledge of and abide by code of ethics in working with other social service professionals, clients, families, and caregivers

  5. Promote professional perspectives and influence peers and stakeholders within transdisciplinary team settings

Numerous consultation models have developed over the years to serve the needs of different settings. Three commonly referenced models are described below:

  • Mental health consultation model: This model was initially developed as a preventive approach towards managing mental disorders. In this model, the consultant helps the consultee to address problems related to psychological wellbeing and to be more effective in managing similar problems in the future. In particular, four types of case consultations have been identified - client-centred case, consultee-centred case, program-centred administrative case, and consultee-centred administrative case.

  • Behavioural consultation model: Based on the principles of behavioural psychology, this model aims to alter client’s and/or consultee’s behaviour through four systematic problem-solving stages (i.e. problem identification, problem analysis, plan implementation, and problem evaluation).

  • Organisational consultation model: The main aim of this model is to resolve presenting organisational problems and bring about effective changes at the systemic level so as to improve the overall functioning of an organisation. This model also emphasises on processes such as data collection, diagnosis, and feedback to clients.


Here are some ideas and resources:

BOOKS

General texts

Brown, D., Pryzwansky, W. B., & Schulte, A. C. (2011). Psychological consultation and collaboration : Introduction to theory and practice. | Source: Pearson.

https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Brown-Psychological-Consultation-and-Collaboration-Introduction-to-Theory-and-Practice-7th-Edition/PGM305340.html

This comprehensive book provides an overview of both the theory and practice of consultation and collaboration along with a summary of the empirical support, multicultural strengths, and limitations for each approach. Coverage includes mental health consultation, behavioural consultation, organisational development consultation, and the processes in consultation and collaboration–including the characteristics of the people who engage in them, evaluation of the outcomes of the two processes, and ethical guidelines for consultants and collaborators.



Dougherty, A. M. (2014). Psychological consultation and collaboration in school and community settings. (6th ed.) | Source: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.

https://au.cengage.com/c/isbn/9781285098562/

This book provides a useful and engaging overview of the core theoretical models and basic skills needed to understanding the content and process of consultation in school and community settings. It is an excellent “primary” resource for students who are taking a first course in consultation.


Mental Health model

Caplan, G. (1970). The theory and practice of mental health consultation. | Source: New York: Basic Books.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/000276427001400133

This book describes in detail the practice and conceptualisation of a new methodology in the field of community psychiatry – the mental health consultation model. Specifically, this book defines, delineates and systematises the concepts and the principles of a consultation method developed in the practice of community mental health.

Caplan, G. (2004). Recent advances in mental health consultation and collaboration (pp. 19-35). | Source: In Nadine M. Lambert, Ingrid Hylander, and Jonathan H. Sandoval’s Consultee-Centered Consultation: Improving the quality of professional services in schools and community organizations  (1st ed.). Routledge: New York.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781410610355-6/recent-advances-mental-health-consultation-collaboration-gerald-caplan

Chapter One focuses on identifying the methodological modification made to the mental health consultation model across different settings, to seek consensus about basic principles and conceptual models across both national and organisational boundaries.


Behavioural Consultation model

Ricciardi, J. N., & Luiselli, J. K. (2007). Behavioral–Clinical Consultation in the Developmental Disabilities. (pp. 227-243) | Source:  Handbook of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Springer, Boston, MA.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/0-387-32931-5_12

This chapter reviews the contemporary role of consultation in various settings and shares guidelines for successful practice. It also discusses the emerging role of behavioural-clinical consultation in improving the greater wellbeing of persons with developmental disabilities, the staff working with them and their service systems.

Rowan, A. B., & Runyan, C. N. (2007). A primer on the consultation model of primary care behavioral health integration. (pp. 9-27) | Source:  In The primary care consultant: The next frontier for psychologists in hospitals and clinics.  American Psychological Association (APA).

https://psychologyinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Primer-on-the-consultation-model.pdf

This chapter briefly describes the rationale for a consultative model of integrated behavioural health care and describes the pitfalls encountered when transitioning from the speciality health role to that of the primary care behavioural health consultant role. The goals of the chapter are three-fold: to provide exposure to a non traditional model of mental health care delivery, to demonstrate how and why a consultative model of behavioural health care is symbiotic to the goals of today's primary care environment, and to provide a foundational understanding of what this model of care looks like in actual clinical practice.

Kratochwill, T. R., Bergen, J. R. (1990). Behavioral consultation in applied settings: An individual guide | Source:  Kluwer Academic Publishers.

https://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=FiGS-9-MgYsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA15&dq=ethics+behavioral+consultation+model&ots=jabMcmRrpY&sig=E9GxrHDFOrB5k9thdz6EsNUn94Y#v=onepage&q=ethics%20behavioral%20consultation%20model&f=false

This guidebook has been developed as a skill-training package to teach psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and other applied­ mental health professionals a model for the delivery of behavioural interventions through a behavioural consultation approach.

Luiselli, J. K. (2018). Conducting behavioral consultation in educational and treatment settings| Source:  Elsevier Academic Press.

https://www.elsevier.com/books/conducting-behavioral-consultation-in-educational-and-treatment-settings/luiselli/978-0-12-814445-9

This book is a practitioner’s guide to implementing consultation with multidisciplinary care providers for children and adults who have learning and behavioural challenges. The book focuses on the interactive, problem-solving, dispute resolution, time management and related skills necessary for conducting behavioural consultation successfully. Primary topics include (a) basic principles and practices of behavioural consultation, (b) roles, expectations and responsibilities of a behavioural consultant, (c) establishing a consultation relationship, (d) consultation in action (problem identification, problem analysis, intervention implementation and intervention evaluation), (e) supervision, (f) interpersonal skills, and (g) time management skills.

Organisational Consultation model

Rodney L. Lowman (2002). The California School of Organizational studies: Handbook of organizational consulting psychology. | Source: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jossey-Bass.

http://lib.stikes-mw.id/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Jossey-Bass-Handbook-of-Organizational-Consulting-Psycholo.pdf

This book reflects the depth and breadth of the contemporary state of organisational consulting psychology, an exciting field that is now coming into its own. Specifically, it reviews the foundations of organisational consulting psychology, applications on the individual-, group- and organisational-levels, and how to bridge these levels, and issues in consulting to, and for, specific types of organisations. Finally, it also looks at measurement, evaluation and effectiveness issues and how to manage issues of professional practice.

Rodney L. Lowman (2016). An introduction to consulting psychology: Working with individuals, groups and organizations. | Source: American Psychological Association (APA).

https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/4317403?tab=1 

In this book, Rodney Lowman describes consulting psychology and how consultation helps clients at three levels – individual, group and organisational. He uses case examples to illustrate the issues that can arise at each level and describes appropriate tools for assessment and intervention. The book also covers important professional standards and guidelines for consulting psychologists, including the APA Ethics Code.



VIDEOS

Mental Health model

Mental health consultation model presentation| Source: Ana Maria Rodriguez-Negrete. (2018, Feb 5).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U-48cwZHXyQ

The video provides a summary on the history, type and development of the mental health consultation model. It also outlines the steps taken to conduct a mental health consultation in settings such as school and in culturally diverse populations.


Behavioural Consultation model

BHC Podcast | Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2006, Oct 21).

https://www.youtube.com/user/nserrano4ME/about

This channel provides a series of podcasts for viewers interested in primary care behavioural health, in particular, the behavioural health consultation model. This channel is hosted by primarycareshrink.com, and includes podcasts such as an overview of the behavioural health consultation model, primary care behavioural health consultation basics, and  even how to introduce the behavioural health consultant and to write SOAP notes.

Primary care behavioral health: MH care redesign| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2008, Oct 31).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t0MsDjlTQfo

This video presents a vision for redesigning the mental health care delivery system by integrating it into the primary care system.

The rationale behind the behavior health consultation model | Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2012, Sept 1).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFPaGxnW-A&t=15s

This video describes the rationale and benefits of the behavioural health consultation model, a model of primary care  behavioural health integration.

Core components of a primary care behavior health consult| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2012, Aug 30).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xmiXvRIRWFE&t=236s

This video presents the basic outline of a primary care behavioural health consultation.

Ways to think about consultation versus therapy| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2013, Jan 4).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KgG1sOiW9jc

This video discusses the differences in approach between primary care consultants  and therapists, with focus on contrasting meta approaches to content driven approaches.



Organisational Consultation model

Introduction to industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology| Source: Job Canary (2019, Oct 1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnyNQNTZXF0&t=22s

This video provides a short introduction to industrial and Organisational (I-O) psychology, and includes  definition, background and brief history.


The basics of industrial / oganizational psychology and behavioral sciences research methods| Source: Statistics and Research with Dr. Wendi L. Benson(2019, Oct 1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_DcuoRMsmk

This video lecture provides a brief overview of what industrial and organisational psychology is and the basics of quantitative research  in industrial organisational psychology and of psychology in general. It also include information on career options in organisational psychology and the applied research methodology required in this area.


OTHER RESOURCES

Mental Health model

Marbley, A. F., Stevens, H., Taylor, C. M. et. Al. (2015). Mental health consultation: An untapped tool for facilitating volatile intercultural diversity group dialogs. | Source:  Multicultural Education, Winter(1), 8-15.​

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1065398.pdf

This article reviews the utility of the mental health consultation model as an effective tool for use in the provision of safe open spaces for cultural exchange in diverse and volatile settings.


Edmunds, J. M., Beidas, R. S., & Kendall, P. C. (2013).  Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices: Training and consultation as implementation strategies. | Source:  Clinical Psychology (New York), 20(2), 152-165.​

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3780425/

This article explores the movement towards deployment of evidence-based practices (EBPs) from research to community setting. It presents the literature on consultation following initial training, alongside a model of consultation and preliminary findings regarding effective consultation techniques and future directions.


Ghag, J., Kellet, S., & Acknroyd, K. (2021). Psychological consultancy in mental health services.| Source: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 94(1), 141-172.

https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/papt.12264

This review of direct and indirect forms of consultation seeks to clarify the theoretical models underpinning consultation, define how consultancy is implemented, assess the methodological rigour of the evidence base, and define the outcomes achieved for services, staff and patients.


Caplan, G., Caplan, R. B., & Erchul, W. P. (1994). Caplanian mental health consultation: Historical background and current status.  |Source:  Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 46(4), 2-12.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William-Erchul/publication/232516625_Caplanian_Mental_Health_Consultation_Historical_Background_and_Current_Status/links/0deec51dc71668070a000000/Caplanian-Mental-Health-Consultation-Historical-Background-and-Current-Status.pdf?origin=publication_detail

This article traces the historical roots of Caplanian mental health consultation and lists 9 aspects of  the model that have proved valuable over time. It also identifies the role of the internal consultant in mental health collaboration and the role of the mental health consultant in primary prevention.


Behavioural Consultation model

Sigafoos, J., Bushell, H., & Tucker, M. (2016). Application of behavioural consultation to assist teachers of children with developmental disabilities. (1996). |Source:  Australasian Journal of Special Education, 20(2), 40-52.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/australasian-journal-of-special-education/article/abs/application-of-behavioural-consultation-to-assist-teachers-of-children-with-developmental-disabilities/7D9F1C3162A7468F4964A966FD559AEA

This paper describes application of behavioural consultation in an Australian special education setting. Consultation focused on assisting teachers in the development, implementation and evaluation of systematic instructional programs in a number of priority goal areas (e.g., community, domestic, language, recreational, and vocational domains).



Reiter, J. T., Dobmeyer, A. C., & Hunter, C. L. (2018). The primary care behavioral health (PCBH) model: An overview and operational definition. |Source:  Journal of Clinical Psychology Medical Settings, 25(2), 109-126.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29480434/

This article provides the first concise operationalised definition of the PCBH model as a team-based approach to managing biopsychosocial issues that present in primary care, with the over-arching goal of improving primary care in general. The article provides a description of the key components and strategies used in the model, the rationale for those strategies, a brief comparison to other integration approaches, a focused summary of PCBH model outcomes, and an overview of common challenges for implementation.



Dale, H., & Lee, A. (2016). Behavioural health consultants in integrated primary care teams: A model for future care| Source:  BioMedCentral Family Practice, 17, 97.

https://bmcfampract.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-016-0485-0#citeas

This article argues the need for integrated care models that incorporate behavioural health care as part of the solution to relieve pressure on UK primary care. The Behavioural Health Consultant (BHC) role is integral to this, working psychologically to support the team to improve collaborative working, and supporting patients to make changes to improve their health across management of long-term conditions, prevention and mental wellbeing.


Organisational Consultation model

Intervention/ Consulting | Source:  Library of Professional Psychology website

https://library.psychology.edu/category/organizational-psychology/intervention-consulting/

This website provides articles that seek to upskill the organisational psychologist through provision of specific techniques looking at the different aspects of the organisation, such as development, empowerment and appreciative consulting within the domain of intentions.

Gaiswinkler, W. (2006). Organisational Consulting as a field for the solution focused approach | Source:  Netswerk fur Organisationasberatung, 1(7).

http://netzwerk-ost.at/publikationen/pdf/publikationen_organisationalconsulting.pdf

This article argues for the utility of a solution-focused approach for organisational consultants and their customers and compares this against the medical model. This article advocates the solution focused approach as an efficient and radical departure from the medical model but stresses the importance of integrating aspects of the medical model into the organisational consulting processes. The crucial art is in how to use both models in an appropriate way.


Hermansson, G. L. (1993). Counsellors and organisational change: Egan’s systems model as a tool in organisational consulting| Source:  British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 21(2), 133-144.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03069889308253650

The increasing involvement of counsellors as consultants to effect organisational change is considered. The value of Egan's systems model, ‘Model A’, for use in this work, is promoted. A case example is presented to demonstrate how Egan's model can be applied effectively both for the development of a consultation relationship and for organisational change. In the example a counsellor acted as an external consultant to a helping-service agency, using Egan's Model A as the primary tool.



Across the different models, there are some key skills of consultation that can be identified.

  • Effective Communication

    It is crucial that information is accurately conveyed between consultant and consultee. Consultants have to be sensitive in their verbal and non-verbal communication. This requires consultants to be familiar with the context and setting that their consultee belongs to.

  • Interpersonal Skills

    Interpersonal skills are essential to building strong rapport between a consultant and consultee. The strength and impact of this relationship will determine how open the consultee is to the consultant’s suggestions, and to effect change.

  • Problem Solving Skills

    A consultant needs to be highly skilled in problem-solving to bring about change that is meaningful and long-lasting. A consultant should also nurture strong problem-solving skills in their consultee, so that the consultee will independently be able to resolve future issues that arise.


Here are some ideas and resources:

BOOKS

Mental Health model

Scoot, D. A., Royal, C. W., & Kissinge, D. B. (2015). Counselor as consultant. | Source:  Sage Publications, Ltd..

https://sk.sagepub.com/books/counselor-as-consultant

This book provides counselling professionals with a solid grounding in the primary theories, skills, and models used by professional consultants that explicitly addresses the new CACREP core standards for consultation. There are abundant exercises and case illustrations to help counsellors-in-training translate theory into practice and learn the essential skills needed for consultation positions.


Behavioural Consultation model

Bergan, J. R., & Kratochwill, T.R. (1990). Behavioral consultation and therapy. | Source:  Plenum Press.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1990-98136-000

This book identifies the procedures for developing consultation skills to assist parents, teachers, and other socialisation agents to solve mental health and educational problems of children and youths. The book is a basic text to be used in developing consultation skills in which consultation techniques are applied.


Organisational Consultation model

Sears, R. W., Rudisill, J., & Mason-Sears, C.. (2006). Consultation skills for mental health professionals. | Source:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

https://www.wiley.com/en-ie/Consultation+Skills+for+Mental+Health+Professionals-p-9781118428993

This book contains a wealth of information for working with a diverse clientele in a variety of settings, discussing both the traditional mental health models and the emerging field of organisational consultation. This guide is broken into four parts looking at individual-level consulting issues, consulting to small systems, consulting to large systems, and special consulting topics.


VIDEOS

Mental Health model

Consultee centered consultation training video spring 2016 | Source: Jayna Mitchell. (2016, April 21).

The video reviews the Dos’ and Don’ts’ of consultee centred consultation  as part of mental health consultation.


Behavioral Consultation model

Communication with primary care providers| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2013, Nov 7).

The Access Community Health Center’s BHC team discusses communication with primary care providers.

Effective primary care consults| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2012, Oct 4).

This video details the methods by which experienced Behavioural Health Consultants provide efficient and effective primary care consults.

Practice habits of the highly effective behavioral health consultant| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2012, Sep 1).

This video discusses hey practice habits of highly effective behavioral health consultants.


Organisational Consultation model

Organisational psychology| Source: SACS Consulting (2006, Oct 21).

This channel provides a series of podcasts that connects you with the most contemporary evidence-based approaches to human resource management, and provides evidence-based methods to enable the psychologist to maximise the organization’s strengths. This channel is hosted by SACS Consulting.


OTHER RESOURCES

Mental Health model

Fanibanda, D. K.. Ethical issues of mental health consultants.| Source: Professional Psychology , 74(4), 547-552.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1977-13499-001

This article highlights important questions for mental health consultants to ponder upon and lists the basic principles to consider as a consultant.

Liebowitz, B., & Blattner, J. (2015). On becoming a consultant: The transition for a clinical psychologist.  |Source:  Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 67(2), 144-161.

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/cpb-0000037.pdf

This article reviews the process undertaken for a clinical psychologist to transition to becoming a consultant. It highlights the differences between both roles and the necessary steps undertaken to prepare for becoming a consultant.


Behavioural Consultation model

Primary care behavioral health toolkit.  |Source:  www.pcpi.org

https://www.pcpci.org/sites/default/files/resources/PCBH%20Implementation%20Kit_FINAL.pdf

This toolkit comprises an organisational readiness tool, PCBH sample manual, assessment and screeners, brochures and programmes etc. These resources allow one to begin to set-up PCBH into one’s current settings.

Sheridan, S. M., Salmon, D., Kratochwill, T. R., & Rottoe, P.J. C. (1992). A conceptual model for the expansion of behavioral consultation training. |Source:  Journal of educational and psychological consultation, 3(3), 193-218.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=edpsychpapers

This article describes a general model and specific programme that expand traditional behavioural consultation training. The training programme involves five interrelated components: (a) procedural and content skills, (b) role and relationship considerations,(c) entry systems issues, (d) field-based experience, and (e) peer supervision. A theoretical rationale, model for implementation, and future training and research directions are also presented.


Organisational Consultation Model

American Psychological Association. (2007). Guidelines for education and training at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels in consulting psychology/ organizational consulting psychology. |Source:  American Psychologist, 62(9), 980-992.

https://scpd1.memberclicks.net/assets/guidelines-for-education-and-training-at-the-doctoral-and-postdoctoral-levels-in-consulting-psychology-organizational-consulting-psychology-apa.pdf

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a common framework for use in the development, evaluation, and review of education and training in consulting psychology/organisational consulting psychology (CP/OCP). The intent of these guidelines is to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the area of the practice of CP, especially OCP, within the scientific discipline and profession of psychology.



All psychologists are bound by a set of core ethics and guidelines to ensure accountability and integrity in their practice. As such, it is important to consider the core ethics and guidelines when providing professional consultations to caregivers and community partners (i.e., other professionals working with the client). The following are some expectations required of consultants as stated in the American Psychological Association (2002), British Psychological Society (2017), and Singapore Psychological Society (2019) ethical guidelines. Consultants should:

  • Take steps to ensure that clients are aware of their right to informed consent and the need for confidentiality, where appropriate.

  • Demonstrate the essential skills required in professional consultations.

  • Be competent and have adequate knowledge that is pertinent to the area of consultation.

  • Be mindful of their fidelity towards clients, organisations, and stakeholders and refrain from manipulative acts.


Here are some ideas and resources:

BOOKS

Mental Health model

Trcikett, E. J., Barone, C., & Watts, R. ( 2000). Contextual influences in mental health consultation: Toward an ecological perspective on radiating change. (pp. 303-330). | Source: In Handbook of community psychology. Kluwer Academic/ Plenum Publishers.

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-4193-6_13

This chapter focuses on the different models of consultation that have evolved particularly over the past quarter of a century and the ethical responsibility that comes with it, given that consultants report working across a wide variety of setting with a variety of problems.

Snow, D. L. & Gersick, K. E. Ethical and professional issues in mental health consultation. (pp. 393-432).| Source: In Handbook of mental health consultation. American Psychological Association (APA).

https://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VQo7bdKPJQYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA393&dq=ethical+issues+of+mental+health+consultation&ots=Bn1I-1-_Bt&sig=UjpPm-AgLAjxpkre_yWd5a824kk#v=onepage&q=ethical%20issues%20of%20mental%20health%20consultation&f=false

This chapter attempts to further the considerations of ethical issues in mental health consultation and to suggest accounting for situational factors that impinge on this work as paramount. It also examines the five areas of ethical responsibilities and explore typical ethical dilemmas that arise in the provision of mental health consultation.


Behavioural Consultation model

Beacham, A. O., & Van Sickle, K. S. (2018). Ethical considerations for behavioral health professionals in primary care settings. (pp. 598-615). | Source: In The Cambridge handbook of applied psychological ethics. Cambridge University Press.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-handbook-of-applied-psychological-ethics/ethical-considerations-for-behavioral-health-professionals-in-primary-care-settings/470977D0CBAFACC1B699E89A637B29B4

This chapter discusses the need for a shift in behavioural health providers’ knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding the ethical considerations inherent in primary care clinics in order to accommodate the broadening and changing landscape over the past three decades.


Organisational Consultation model

Cooper, S.E. & Lowman, R. L. (2018). Ethical issues in psychological consultation. (pp. 552-574). | Source: In The Cambridge handbook of applied psychological ethics. Cambridge University Press.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-02482-027

This chapter focuses on some of the ethical issues likely encountered by professionals who engage in consultation as a mode of general applied or mental health/health services delivery to achieve goals with individuals, groups, systems or communities. The first section focuses on description of mental health and organisational consultation approaches and the likely ethical dilemmas with each. It also provides a brief description of the differences between consultation and therapy and between consultation and collaboration, along with the ethical implications of each of these differences. The second part of the chapter then introduces and expounds upon five typical psychological consultation ethical concerns areas. 


VIDEOS

Mental Health model

Professional boundaries and  self-care  for mental health consultants| Source: First 5 Alameda County. (2019, Aug 24).

The video is produced as a third webinar in a series presented by CA Project LAUNCH looking at self-care and professional boundaries in the role of a mental health consultant..


Behavioral Consultation model

Maintaining the boundaries of the BHC role| Source: Primarycareshrink.com (2015, Mar 28).

The video discusses challenging situations where the BHC role may be difficult to maintain.


Organisational Consultation model

Psychology in Business – Ethics while consulting | Source: Alok Sawhney.

A video series of short clips about the field of consulting psychology. Topics include areas of applied psychology in organisational design, team effectiveness, executive coaching and entrepreneurial consulting.


OTHER RESOURCES

SPS Code of Ethics (January 2019, Version 3) | Source: Singapore Psychological Society (SPS)

https://singaporepsychologicalsociety.org/sps-code-of-ethics/

The following are some SPS guidelines that are more pertinent to professional consultations.

  • Section 1.3  provides some guidelines regarding the disclosure of information during consultations.

  • Sections 2.6 and 2.10 each contains a list of items that consultants are required to obtain clarification prior to the provision of consultations.

  • Guideline 5 is comprised of various sections that describe the expectations of consultants to practice within their competence and demonstrate awareness of their own competency.

BPS Practice Guidelines (2017) | Source: British Psychological Society (BPS)

https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/practice-guidelines

The following are some BPS guidelines that are more pertinent to professional consultations.

  • Section 1.5 provides a general idea on the objectives of professional consultation and identifies the different types of consultations.

  • Section 3.4 describes consultants’ fidelity to their primary clients, commissioning stakeholders, and other relevant personnel.

  • Section 3.5 consists of a list of guidelines that consultants should bear in mind when collaborating with other professionals.

APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and  Code of Conduct (2002) | Source: American Psychological Association (APA)

https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/

The following are some APA guidelines that are more pertinent to professional consultations.

  • Section 3.08 states that consultants should be aware that exploitative relationships are not condoned.

  • Section 4.06 covers confidentiality issues that are pertinent to consultations.

Mental Health model

Fanibanda, D. K.. Ethical issues of mental health consultants.| Source: Professional Psychology , 74(4), 547-552.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1977-13499-001

This article highlights important questions for mental health consultants to ponder upon and lists the basic principles to consider as a consultant.


Behavioural Consultation model

Fivecoat, H. C., Cos, T., & Possemato, K. (2017). Special ethical considerations for behavioral consultants in the primary care setting.  |Source:  Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 48(5), 335-342.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317297952_Special_Ethical_Considerations_for_Behavioral_Health_Consultants_in_the_Primary_Care_Setting

This article discusses potential ethical dilemmas and challenges that are faced in PCBH. Specifically, the application of ethical guidelines to this work is discussed, with the article aiming to address where further clarity is needed and context-based ethical decision-making is warranted. Case studies are provided to help illustrate the novel challenges faced by BHCs in integrated medical settings.

Runyan, C., Robinson, P., Gould, D. A. (2013). Ethical issues facing providers in collaborative primary care settings: Do current guidelines suffice to guide the future of team based primary care?  |Source:  Family System Health, 31(1), 1-8.

https://www.rmhp.org/-/media/RMHPdotOrg/Files/PDF/Provider/Practice-Transformation-Programs/CO-EARTH-RESOURCES/Business-Practices/Ethical-Issues-Facing-Providers-in-Collaborative-Primary-Care-Settings.ashx

This special issue discusses the ethical issues providers face in collaborative primary care settings. It is organized in three sections: (a) Common Themes, (b) Context-Specific Quandaries, and (c) Research and Training. 


Organisational Consultation Model

Lefkowitz, J. Forms of ethical dilemmas in industrial-organizational psychology.  |Source:  Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 46(4), 2-12.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/industrial-and-organizational-psychology/article/abs/forms-of-ethical-dilemmas-in-industrialorganizational-psychology/2F30D768AFE602ECFF0B81C8B964BF8D

This article presents and tests a structural perspective on understanding the nature of ethical dilemmas that can facilitate such study. A taxonomy of five paradigmatic forms of ethical dilemmas is defined and placed in a theoretical context and tested using 292 narrative descriptions of ethical situations.