An Introduction to Consulting Psychology: Working with Individuals, Groups, and Organizations (Fundamentals of Consulting Psychology Series)

This book provides a broad introduction to consulting psychology that reviews assessment and intervention at three levels of competency—individual, group, and organizational—including how these levels interact.Consulting psychology is a burgeoning yet sometimes underappreciated discipline whose goal is to empower clients and improve workplace functioning. In this book, Dr. Lowman describes this fulfilling and important work, translating theory and research into a succinct and accessible overview that will familiarize students, psychologists from multiple disciplines, and others with the field.Lowman reviews how consultation helps clients at three levels—individual, group, and organizational. Using illustrative case examples, he samples issues that can arise at each level and describes appropriate tools for assessment and intervention.The various consulting activities surveyed include:screening potential job candidates;coaching individuals to help them adapt to new roles and manage relationships with colleagues;evaluating and improving work group dynamics, such as communication patterns; andworking with different organizational cultures to enhance system-wide processes and structures.Leadership is given special focus as a complex topic that spans all three levels and requires the consultant to consider a host of variables. Multiculturalism and internationalism are also examined as competencies that consulting psychologists must possess in our increasingly globalized society.Lowman also considers important professional standards and guidelines for consulting psychologists, including the APA Ethics Code. "Consulting psychology is a burgeoning yet sometimes underappreciated discipline whose goal is to empower clients and improve workplace functioning. In this book, Rodney Lowman describes this fulfilling and important work, translating theory and research into a succinct and accessible overview that will familiarize students, psychologists from multiple disciplines, and others with the field. Lowman reviews how consultation helps clients at three levels -- individual, group, and organizational. Using illustrative case examples, he samples issues that can arise at each level and describes appropriate tools for assessment and intervention."--Publisher's website Consulting psychology is rapidly growing yet sometimes underappreciated discipline whose goal is to apply psychological science to consultation at three levels: individual, group, and organizational. This foundational volume of the Fundamentals of Consulting Psychology series translates theory and research into a concise, easy-to-read introduction to the field. Case examples help to illustrate the rewarding and important work of consulting psychologists, which includes coaching individuals, assessing and improving work group dynamics, and enhancing organizational systems and processes. Contents Series Editor’s Foreword Chapter 1 The Work of Consulting Psychologists Chapter 2 Consulting at the Individual Level Chapter 3 Consulting at the Group and Team Level Chapter 4 Consulting at the Organizational Level Chapter 5 Integrating Across Domains and Levels: The Case of Leadership Chapter 6 Multicultural and International Issues in Consulting Psychology Chapter 7 Ethical and Professional Standards in the Practice of Consulting Psychology Chapter 8 The Road Ahead References Index About the Author Consulting psychology is rapidly growing yet sometimes underappreciated discipline whose goal is to apply psychological science to consultation at three levels: individual, group, and organisational. This foundational volume of the Fundamentals of Consulting Psychology series translates theory and research into a concise, easy-to-read introduction to the field.