Choosing a Consultant

Written By Eline Potoski, LCSW

There are a number of important considerations when looking for a consultant. The first is training and expertise, as you want the person you are consulting to have the appropriate background and experience you need to grow. To see my background and training click here. Some important considerations are experience with crisis services (it can come up in any practice), cross-cultural experiences, experience in different settings.

The second is their ability to see you and support you as a whole human being. There is some overlap between therapy and consultation in that you want to feel comfortable and able to be yourself with your consultant, warts and all. You want to be seen and supported in your learning and growth as an individual, as well as professional skill building and guidance.

The third is that consultants should have specific training for consultation and supervision that includes roles, ethics, and the relational elements of consultation. They should understand what parallel process is, how it shows up in consultation, and how relational dynamics get repeated and played out. This could either be through specific training (which can be hard to find) or through attention to these matters in their relationships with their own consultants.

Finally, your consultant should be someone who can model, through their relationship with you, the care, support, skills and attitude you want to have in your work with your clients. They should be able to admit mistakes, know their limitations and be willing to direct you to further resources as needed. In IFS language, this is someone who has strong Self energy and is able to identify, un-blend, and speak for their parts.

I am committed to excellent training, humility, integrity, unconditional positive regard and the highest standards of ethical practice.

Some topics we can address in consultation include:

  • case conceptualization and treatment planning

  • working with therapist parts that come up in sessions

  • identifying and working with client defenses/protector parts

  • the use of organizing tools, such as a parts map or a lifeline

  • client readiness for trauma processing

  • developing resources

  • assessing for affect regulation and tolerance

  • EMDR and trauma processing

  • assessing attachment in the client’s history and in the therapeutic relationship

  • dissociation

  • crisis situations

Please email or call me if you are interested in talking with me about consultation. As in therapy, the fit is very important.

Eline Potoski, LCSW