| A useful distinction can be made between | | | | client asks that I write a full proposal, the fee would |
| consultation and counseling. Consultation can be | | | | be substantially larger because of the additional |
| defined as giving expert advice or information. | | | | commitment of time and work. |
| Whereas, counseling can be defined as a support | | | | An example of counseling would be my being asked |
| process intended to help someone to solve a | | | | to provide group counseling for foster parents of |
| personal or family problem. If you have established | | | | children diagnosed as having attention deficit |
| yourself as an expert in a given area, you will be | | | | hyperactive disorder (ADHD). It would be clear that |
| asked to provide consultation or counseling as the | | | | these parents have a common interest in acquiring |
| need is established. Both the subject matter and the | | | | practical strategies for managing the often very |
| needs of the client will determine whether | | | | difficult behavior of these youngsters. The goal of |
| consultation or counseling is indicated. As one who | | | | these foster parents would be to help these |
| has done both over several decades, the distinction I | | | | youngsters to develop into reasonably self-sufficient |
| have made is what I will share with you. | | | | young adults who have learned to self-manage their |
| Clients tend to need you for two reasons. Either | | | | problems and to thrive given their challenges. Often a |
| they are too busy or too lazy to become | | | | request for individual counseling will emerge from the |
| self-sufficient or self-reliant. For example, I may | | | | group counseling because of situation peculiar to an |
| encounter a client who wants to acquire funds for a | | | | individual child that can't be adequately addressed in |
| project, but does not know how to write a proposal | | | | the group. |
| that might attract attention and perhaps funding | | | | In summary, the way I make the distinction between |
| from a foundation or individual donor. In this instance, | | | | consulting and counseling is based on the need the |
| this person would be a potential client for a consulting | | | | client has for practical results-a desire for practical |
| relationship. I can draft up a Consultant Agreement to | | | | results within budgeted time and money. Consultation |
| guide the client through the steps required in | | | | may then be the best choice. On the other hand |
| preparing a proposal for submission, review the | | | | counseling may be indicated when the client is looking |
| proposal after the client writes it, make | | | | for behavioral change, either for himself or herself, |
| recommendations for changes and additions, and | | | | their family, or to improve a distressing life situation. |
| review the final draft. If the client agrees to the | | | | Counseling usually implies a more extended |
| procedure, we can have a meeting of the minds, sign | | | | relationship than consultation. |
| the agreement and the process can begin. If the | | | | |