ABSTRACT
The personal elements in the project were particularly powerful and painful, obscuring at times the organizational elements at play. It was a seminal experience and offered me a steep learning curve. Sage House was facing major changes with the unexpected illness of its director and, a few months later, the arrival of a new acting head. The unit felt symbolically better held and, although their thinking and planning were still focused on the short-term and the levels of authority within the staff group were clearly defined, their work with the young people was progressing. Rob was struggling with the psychological and physical impact of his illness, the seriousness of which only a few senior staff were aware. Consulting at different levels of an organization, holding information from different groups and individuals, and connecting crucial material without breaking confidentiality present a great challenge for the consultant.
