Consultation Practices between School Counselors and School Psychologists: Implications for Training and Practice

School Counselor Consultation Preparation: A National Study

“…We developed a 24‐item school counselor consultation preparation survey based on related literature (i.e., Brown et al, 1988; Carlson & Kees, 2013; Choi et al, 2008; Goodman‐Scott, 2015; Pérusse et al, 2001); publications by professional organizations, such as the ASCA (2012) National Model and ethical standards (ASCA, 2016); and the CACREP Standards (2009, 2015). The survey items asked about the practices of participants’ school counseling preparation programs related to consultation theories/approaches, consultation with specific stakeholders, consultation topics, and consultation teaching methods.…”

“…Among the research conducted with school counselors, one study found that secondary school counselors ranked consultation as the second most important graduate content area behind individual counseling, whereas elementary school counselors ranked it third, behind individual and small‐group counseling (Pérusse & Goodnough, 2005). However, only 39% of the school counselors in Choi et al’s (2008) sample reported taking a consultation course, with 34% reporting they had received no consultation coursework. Carlson and Kees (2013) found that only 17.9% of school counselors reported taking a stand‐alone required consultation course, whereas 56.3% of participants reported that the content was covered in other courses.…”

“…School counselors have reported consultation as a primary function of their responsibilities and a service frequently provided to serve students (Carlson & Kees, 2013; Goodman‐Scott, 2015; Perera‐Diltz, Moe, & Mason, 2011). However, school counselors have also conveyed receiving limited preservice preparation to conduct consultation (Carlson & Kees, 2013; Choi, Whitney, Korcuska, & Proctor, 2008; Goodman‐Scott, 2015). Given the discrepancy between school counselor–reported consultation preparation and practice, scholars have called for an examination of school counselor consultation preparation (Goodman‐Scott, 2015; Perera‐Diltz et al, 2011).…”

Improving Outcomes for Children With Developmental Disabilities Through Enhanced Communication and Collaboration Between School Psychologists and Physicians

“…In the Canadian Psychological Association Professional Practice Guidelines for School Psychologists in Canada (Canadian Psychological Association, 2007), it is also stipulated that school-based psychologists should engage in collaborative consultation with other mental health professionals, and they may also take on the role of coordinator between school and community-based programs to provide the best services for students. In addition to calling for increased consultation (Siegel & Cole, 2003), some authors also highlight the need for a greater focus on consultation and collaboration at the level of pre-licensure training for school psychologists, as well as at the level of professional development training for practicing school psychologists (Choi, Whitney, Korcuska, & Proctor, 2008;Cochrane & Salyers, 2006;Sladeczek & Heath, 1998). Similarly, recognizing the need to bridge the gap between research and practice, Ronstadt and Yellin (2010) propose a model of transdisciplinary collaboration between researchers (in psychology and education) and clinicians (who work with children and youth) that fosters a collaborative relationship from the start of clinical training.…”

Conducting Rigorous Survey Research in the Study of School-Based Consultation

“…Survey research can allow researchers to access this wider range of participants in the consultation process and begin to understand complex systems-level issues. For example, in a survey with a stratified sample of 150 school counselors and 150 school psychologists, Choi, Whitney, and Korcuska (2008) found that limited consultation took place between school counselors and school psychologists despite other data trends indicating a partnership approach to serving children. To provide another example, Gonzalez, Nelson, Gutkin, and Shwery (2004) studied teacher resistance to school-based CONTACT Cynthia Hazel consultation offered by school psychologists via a survey of 403 elementary school teachers.…”