Clinical and Executive Consulting
My consulting practice consists of several services that differ from psychological treatment but reflect my perspective on how people think, feel, and learn.
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- Why do mental health professionals seek your consultation?
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- What types of consultation are available to mental health professionals?
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- How can a psychological consulting relationship benefit executives?
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- How does your business consulting approach differ from executive or personal coaching?
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- How much time and money is involved in a consultation?
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- Why do mental health professionals seek your consultation?
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- Mental Health Professionals universally experience challenges in their work because of its emotional intensity and highly personal nature. The fact that tremendous individual differences exist between patients means that no two courses of treatment are alike. In addition, psychiatric and psychological work gives rise to feelings in the provider that must be recognized and understood in order to benefit rather than interfere with the therapy. For these reasons, it is not only suggested, but necessary, that mental health professionals periodically consult other experienced therapists on their more difficult work.
Some of the situations in which consultation is recommended are ethical dilemmas; possible boundary violations; feelings about patients that are difficult to manage; aberrations from one’s usual way of working, difficult problems or illnesses with which the therapist lacks expertise; a desire to learn about working more psychodynamically; and a wish to enrich one’s experience and improve as a therapist. Therapists who attempt to practice without both collegial and expert counsel and support run greater than normal risks of overlooking and repeating technical mistakes and, in the worst case scenarios, harming their patients. The potential rewards of seeking advice from an experienced colleague are considerable.
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- What types of consultation are available to mental health professionals?
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- I offer both individual and group consultations for experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and clinical social workers. Individuals typically have a series of confidential sessions in which we explore ethical or clinical matters of concern. For private practice groups and nonprofit agencies, I usually arrange to meet with the staff onsite for case conferences and topics of special interest. Continuing education presentations are also available.
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- How can a psychological consulting relationship benefit executives?
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- A large number of common problems can affect the CEO’s leadership ability, job performance, and satisfaction with his or her work. Although scores of volumes are written annually about executive efficiency and effectiveness, none can substitute for a series of personal, confidential conversations with an experienced professional with the educational background of a psychoanalyst. By becoming informed about your particular assets and challenges, I am positioned to construct and assist in implementation of practical, psychologically sound plans.
Corporate culture and business relationships depend on a complex network of emotional and behavioral interactions. Each principal brings his or her unique psychology to the table. Working with a consultant who is knowledgeable and respectful of individual complexities provides a unique opportunity to repair and improve executive and management relationships, resolve conflicts and stalemates among principals, and facilitate boardroom interactions.
Family businesses are susceptible to particular interpersonal difficulties because of the complex, emotional nature of dual family and business relationships. The potential for conflict (both conscious and unconscious) is considerable when family dynamics inevitably overlap with working relationships, business decisions, and succession planning. Bringing in an objective, psychologically informed consultant can provide access to new perspectives; clarify conflicts between personal feelings and business decisions; and facilitate long-range planning that takes into account the welfare of the business and its stakeholders.
Other services that may benefit your corporation involve strategizing and implementing employee training and support, such as advice, support groups, and benefit development for working parents.
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- How does your business consulting approach differ from executive or personal coaching?
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- Many executives have engaged an executive or personal coach, or thought about doing so. Coaching typically aims at evaluating management and interpersonal styles; motivating executives to overcome unproductive patterns; and giving them tools to work more effectively with their reports and clients. Tests, questionnaires, and other instruments may be used. Coaches may or may not be trained or certified in coaching, and no psychological training and education are required.
My work with executives may have a coaching component, but my approach is invariably an extension of my psychological understanding. Learning your goals, the obstacles as you see them, approaches you have already taken, and who is involved in the situation to be addressed is the first step. To assess the problem’s nature, scope, and contributing factors, I spend considerable time in conversation with the principals because understanding your ideas and style are critical to the success of the consultation.
Although executive conversations, problem solving, and coaching differ from therapy, a successful consultation is based on a trusting relationship within which issues can be candidly addressed.
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- How much time and money is involved in a consultation?
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- Whether you are seeking a clinical or corporate consultation, the cost in time and money depends on the nature and scope of the issues to be addressed. Although some situations can be resolved relatively quickly, most difficult clinical work and significant business issues require months of contact. There are no shortcuts to adequately assessing complex problems, working together in progressive steps towards improvement, integrating new knowledge, and consolidating change. It is critical to my approach that I not only impart counsel but assist with the implementation of strategies and practices that I recommend. The cost is determined on a case by case basis. The potential savings are the avoidance of costly mistakes and improvement in performance that will outlast the duration of our initial work.
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