Which mode of consultation might a school counselor implement if he or she overheard a teacher complaining about a classroom situation and the counselor approached the teacher to initiate assistance?

• A. Collaboration
• B. Mediation
• C. Facilitation
• D. Initiation

Answer: (D)

Taking the initiative to offer consultation means the counselor proactively reaches out to a staff member when a problem is observed, rather than waiting to be asked for help. In this scenario, the counselor overhears a teacher venting about a classroom situation and then approaches the teacher to start assistance. This shows recognizing a need and taking the first step to provide support, aiming to address the issue early and set up collaborative efforts to improve the classroom situation. The other modes involve the counselor working with the teacher as a partner to identify solutions (collaboration), serving as a neutral intermediary to resolve a dispute (mediation), or guiding a group through a discussion to decide on actions (facilitation). The initiating approach fits best because it captures the counselor’s proactive step to offer help.