Blog 8

Collaboration and consultation are very important to a school counselor.  If one does not know these skills then it would be very difficult for them to be a school counselor.  I say this because school counselors need to work with an abundant amount of stakeholders in order to really help the students.  There are many resources not only in the school, but outside the school as well.  Dollarhide and Saginak (2012) describe the CASTT model as something that is very important and is a big resource for school counselors.  The CASTT provides all kinds of stakeholders that a school counselor should be in almost constant contact with in order to effectively and efficiently help students. 

When looking at the two models on collaborations, I found that both are generally good, but I think that the collaborative inclusion model (CI) is more detailed than the collaborative culturally competent schools model (CCCS).  CI has a step to step instruction on what to do when you need to collaborate with someone and CCCS has levels depending on what kind of collaboration that the school counselor is doing.  Overall both models are important to understand and if you mix and match them together, I think better understanding of collaboration will occur. 

Looking at all the different models of consultation, I really enjoy the solution focused consultation model (SFC).  I don’t think I am too surprised that I like this model because it is the main theory that we learn but I thought that focusing on students solutions is much more effective than trying to focus on the problem.  Kahn (2000) describes that the SFC model has been used for individuals, groups, and supervision, and school leadership and have provided with positive results.  If we can help students by using a solution focused approach, then why don’t a lot of people use that model?  I think our society thinks too much on problems and the negative aspects of our lives which make people feel more sad and depressed about their lives.  I believe that if we focus on the positives and the solutions that we can improve the standard of living.  Looking at the table in Kahn’s (2000) article comparing solution focus and traditional interventions make me want to use solution focus even more.  I think it is very beneficial to not only use solution focused on a counseling and consultation level but also in our everyday lives so that we can bring the positive light into the mix. 

Dollarhide, C.T., & Saginak, K.A. (2012). Comprehensive school counseling programs (2^nd Ed.). New York: Pearson

Kahn, B. (2000). A model of solution-focused consultation for school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 3, 248-254.