Support Group - Michigan Diabetes Outreach Network

Professionals As Consultants In Self-Help Groups
Toni A. Young, MSW, ACSW
y The Consultant role demands the highest level of involvement and thus has more risk and
challenge.
y Our view of “Consultant” is based on the assumption that professionals will be working with
people who have the concern from the very start. We refer to this as the “core group,” a few
people who want to attend and be members of the group.
y A Consultant is a – coach, guide, mentor and advisor.
Think of yourself similar to an organizational consultant; a person with particular expertise,
outside the group or system, who coaches, guides, mentors and advises to accomplish getting
the group off the ground. You can come back to advise periodically, even on the phone, or
assume another role, such as advisory member, speaker or trainer.
y In the beginning, make an agreement with the core group that you expect them to take the
lead role and you will follow their lead because they know best what people in their situation
need and it is their group.
y Find the leaders FAST as soon as people start doing things or offering this initial activity to
do them; take as a sign of leadership emerging. Be alert to people who will energize the
group and get them involved. Your job is to work at doing less and less.
y If you can avoid going to the meetings, it will be easier to disengage later on. It will also
allow you to work with a few core people who can then conduct meetings. Whether you
attend or not, make it totally clear that your presence is temporary, perhaps even giving a
time line. If people are not invested or taking the lead, ask yourself, “Who wants this group
to exist? Me? My agency? Or the people with the concern?
y Don’t do anything for the group that members can do, even if you think you can do it better
and more efficiently!
Reprinted by permission from the National Network For Mutual Help Centers and the Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service
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