ABSTRACT
Consultation, like teaching and supervision, is rarely something for which art therapists have formal educational preparation. Yet it is not an uncommon role for an art therapist, who is often asked by an institution or an individual to serve as a consultant. Consultation, however, is not the same as therapy, nor is it identical to either education or supervision, though it contains elements of all three. There is a literature on consultation in general, as well as more specialized writing in the area of mental health consultation. In the latter, a distinction is usually made between program consultation and case consultation. Traditional mental health professionals are more likely to be asked to consult with staff groups or individuals on specific case management questions, a role frequently filled by a consulting psychiatrist or psychologist. Art therapists seem to be asked more often to help with program development, although the work may at times involve guiding others in the understanding or treatment of specific cases.
