Advocacy in Counseling
Consultation and Advocacy
Bradlee Donahue
Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors
Kathy Blaydes
August 4, 2013
Advocacy and consultation have over the years proven to be two equally important ways for counselors to assist their clients. According to research conducted by Moe, Perera-Diltz, & Sepulveda (2010), there is a positive correlation between the two concepts. For example, both concepts utilize distinct and unique methodologies as a means of assisting clients within the realm of counseling. To truly understand how each method can be an asset for a counselor, we must first analyze the two independently. “A Consultation for professional counselors typically involves acting on behalf of an identified client through interaction with another professional consultee or stakeholder in the client’s welfare.”(Moe, Perera-Diltz, & Sepulveda, 2010) This meeting often consists of three parties in particular, a consultant, a consultee and a client. Consultations often work within the confines of a web of interconnected services. While the ultimate goal of the consultation process is the client’s well being, a way of achieving this is to provide people with an opportunity to understand a point of view not previously considered and potentially even arrive at some point of collective appreciation of the alternatives. Advocacy on the other hand is a concept that counselors can utilize to promote social change in a way that is directly beneficial to the client. “Scholars propose that by integrating a social justice advocacy role into the core identity of professional counselors will in turn help redress past and current societal oppression of marginalized populations.” (Moe, Perera-Diltz, & Sepulveda, 2010). I think one of the greatest examples of advocacy within the field of counseling, were the massive health reforms brought on by Clifford Beers in the late 1800’s. Beers who was actually once a mental health
Bradlee Donahue
Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors
Kathy Blaydes
August 4, 2013
Advocacy and consultation have over the years proven to be two equally important ways for counselors to assist their clients. According to research conducted by Moe, Perera-Diltz, & Sepulveda (2010), there is a positive correlation between the two concepts. For example, both concepts utilize distinct and unique methodologies as a means of assisting clients within the realm of counseling. To truly understand how each method can be an asset for a counselor, we must first analyze the two independently. “A Consultation for professional counselors typically involves acting on behalf of an identified client through interaction with another professional consultee or stakeholder in the client’s welfare.”(Moe, Perera-Diltz, & Sepulveda, 2010) This meeting often consists of three parties in particular, a consultant, a consultee and a client. Consultations often work within the confines of a web of interconnected services. While the ultimate goal of the consultation process is the client’s well being, a way of achieving this is to provide people with an opportunity to understand a point of view not previously considered and potentially even arrive at some point of collective appreciation of the alternatives. Advocacy on the other hand is a concept that counselors can utilize to promote social change in a way that is directly beneficial to the client. “Scholars propose that by integrating a social justice advocacy role into the core identity of professional counselors will in turn help redress past and current societal oppression of marginalized populations.” (Moe, Perera-Diltz, & Sepulveda, 2010). I think one of the greatest examples of advocacy within the field of counseling, were the massive health reforms brought on by Clifford Beers in the late 1800’s. Beers who was actually once a mental health
References: Cohen, F., & Dvoskin, J. (n.d.). 16 Mental and Physical Disability Law Reporter 1992 Inmates with Mental Disorders: A Guide to Law and Practice Feature. Redirecting.... Retrieved August 3, 2013, from http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/menphydis16&div=122&id=&page= Greenleaf, A. T., & Williams, J. M. (2009). Supporting Social Justice Advocacy: A Paradigm Shift towards an Ecological Perspective . Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 2(1), 1-14. Retrieved July 28, 2013, from http://www.psysr.org/jsacp/greenleaf-v2n1-09_1-14.pdf Moe, J. L., - Diltz, D. P., & Sepulveda, V. (2010). Are Consultation and Social Justice Advocacy Similar? : Exploring the Perceptions of Professional Counselors and Counseling Students. Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 2(2), 106-123. Retrieved July 28, 2013, from http://www.psysr.org/jsacp/Moe-v2n2-10_106-123.pdf