Did you know that I offer professional consultation for mental health professionals?
Professional consultation offers an opportunity to discuss specific concerns, cases, or “stuck” points with another licensed professional. How is this different from the clinical supervision many mental health providers are required to receive early in their careers?
Clinical supervision generally includes an independently licensed professional providing guidance and oversight to a professional who is newer to the field and in the process of gaining experience (referred to as an “associate license” in NC). There are specific guidelines around clinical supervision regarding what topics are covered, how frequently supervision meetings must occur, and the number of clinical hours a supervisee can work between supervision sessions. Clinical supervision can generally only be provided by someone with specific licensing / training in supervising others, and may be limited based on location of both the supervisor and supervisee.
Professional consultation is based on specific needs or concerns of the consultee, rather than a scheduling guideline or requirement for oversight by a licensing board. Consultation is often sought out by independently licensed mental health professionals, but is also available to those with an associate license. Consultation may include a one-time meeting or ongoing discussions, depending on the specific needs of the person seeking consultation (consultee).
Group vs. Individual Consultation
You may have heard of group consultation and individual consultation. I have been (and continue to be) a part of both. I also have experience providing consultation in both group and individual settings.
Group consultation brings together a group (size varies) of professionals to discuss topics related to their common work. For mental health professionals, group consultation may include individuals who hold various degrees or professional licensure related to mental healthcare. Group consultation often occurs on a regularly scheduled basis. The focus of the discussion may include coordinating care for shared clients, specific resources or questions related to a designated diagnosis or client concern, or an overarching topic of importance to mental health care.
Individual consultation is, as the name implies, much more individualized. This includes the consultant and consultee meeting one-on-one to address a specific concern or topic more in-depth than is possible in a group consultation setting. Topics covered in individual consultation might include discussion of best practices or ethical decision-making related to a specific client’s concerns, personalized training on a particular topic where the consultant has specialization, or reviewing necessary steps to add a new service to the consultee’s work.
Why Invest in Professional Consultation?
Professional consultation is an investment. Both the consultant and the consultee(s) invest their time in being present for the consultation meeting. They invest their energy in being engaged in the discussion at-hand. The consultant has likely invested years of learning and experience in being able to provide consultation services around particular topics. The consultee may be investing money in paying for access to the consultant’s time and knowledge.
Potential Benefits of An Investment in Consultation
Feel less alone. Providing therapy can feel quite lonely. As therapists, we spend hours each day invested in listening to and supporting our clients. These are sacred relationships, and they are also one-way relationships in a sense. This can leave therapists feeling both socially drained and longing for connection and to be known. There are many aspects of our work that we can’t share with friends, family, or partners because we’re committed to protecting our clients’ confidentiality. Consultation can provide an opportunity to be seen and heard as both a therapist and a person who is navigating life.
Access to different perspectives. Sometimes we all feel “stuck” in handling the things life brings our way. As mental health professionals, our work is no different. You may experience feeling uncertain about next steps in your career. Perhaps you find yourself questioning various options, both in and out of mental healthcare. You might recognize that you would be best able to support a client if you were able to access the knowledge of another therapist with different training or lived experience. Consultation is an excellent way to hear others’ perspectives and continually challenge yourself in professional growth.
Protect your professional license. Many codes of ethics for licensed mental health professionals include some phrasing such as “acting in a manner similar to other similarly licensed professionals” in the context of making tough clinical decisions. Consultation offers the opportunity to discuss options for making decisions and taking action with other licensed professionals, helping you practice ethically and protect the professional license you’ve worked so hard for.
Focused support and assistance. I hope that at some point in your journey to becoming a mental health professional, you received individualized support and assistance focused on your growth as both a human and a mental health provider. In the early years of training and practice, this support may come from professors, other students in your training program, or clinical supervisors. Yet, once we’re a few years into this work, that regularly scheduled support can be almost non-existent. Professional consultation offers an opportunity to receive support and assistance that is focused on your current needs, whatever those might include.
Areas of Consultation
You might be asking yourself, ‘What kinds of things might professional consultation include?’ The answers to that question could be fairly limitless, but the following are the areas that are frequently included in the consultation services that I offer.
- Religious Trauma – I specialize in supporting folks who have experienced religious/spiritual harm, including spiritual abuse, adverse religious experiences, and religious trauma. In consultation, I am able to draw from my lived experience of religious trauma and from my years of supporting survivors in various settings in order to assist other mental health professionals in working with these concerns. Consultation topics might include understanding religious trauma, recognizing signs and symptoms that appear in therapy, accessing resources, or consulting on a specific case in order to best serve the individual client.
- NBCC Continuing Education Applications – As an ACEP (Approved Continuing Education Provider) through NBCC (National Board of Certified Counselors), I have gone through the process of applying for, being approved, and carrying out continuing education courses for mental health professionals. Consultation topics related to this area include the application process, ongoing review of application materials, and options for partnering to provide continuing education without needing to complete the full application process.
- Facilitating Virtual Groups – I’ve been facilitating virtual groups since 2020, offering at least 2 groups per year. In consultation, I’m able to draw from my knowledge and experience in this area in order to help others navigate the decision to offer virtual groups and the process of ensuring those groups are successful.
- Body Mindfulness and Weight-Inclusive Care – My approach to working with folks around body image issues and bodily disconnection is built on a foundation of weight-inclusive care and being mindful of the individual needs/desires of one’s body. As of this posting, I am in the last stages of completing the Body Trust Certification through Center for Body Trust. Consultation around topics in this area might include a foundation for weight-inclusive care, examining the ways body trust can be integrated into practice, or exploring your own body story in order to better support others.
- Neurodivergence / Neuro-Affirming Practices – I am a late-identified Autistic person whose special interests include understanding all I can about neurodivergence and how to create neuro-affirming spaces that support all people. This has translated into hours of learning, reading, and continuing education training related to these topics. Consultation around neurodivergence might include examining a provider’s own (possible or known) neurodivergence, figuring out options to best support a specific neurodivergent client, or examining how your practice can be more neuro-affirming overall.
- Considerations of Insurance-Based and Private Pay Practices – My career thus far has included working in settings where payment for services was funded by government sources, where private insurance was the typical source for payment, and where all services are private pay. I have a good understanding of the ins and outs of each option. Consultation in this area focuses on my knowledge and experience with various payment structures, with a commitment to supporting you in making the best decision for you and your practice.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You can learn more about my consultation services by visiting the Professional Consultation page of my website. When you’re ready to take the next step, complete the Consultation Interest Form to move forward in accessing support in your professional journey.
Michelle F. Moseley is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC. She believes ALL people deserve respect, compassion, and access to mental and physical healthcare. Michelle specializes in working with survivors of religious trauma, and with those who have body image concerns, finding there is frequent overlap in these areas. She also frequently supports late-identified neurodivergent individuals as they navigate the grief and relief of a new understanding of self. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website at MichelleFMoseley.com or following her on Instagram – @therapy_with_michelle
Sign-up for Michelle’s Monthly Email Newsletter to make sure you never miss a blog post