What the Heck is a Behavioral Consultant, Anyway?
As I was surfing (a term I don’t love by the way. Can’t someone come up with a more descriptive term? Maybe ”mining for value,” “Seeking for Truth,” “Prospecting for Positivity.” Something that indicates the true nature of what seeking on the Internet truly is rather than such a passive couch potato image. Wow! That got off topic) I found a link link to a wonderful site called Best Wellness Consultant on a comment form someone with the moniker Mother Earth. I followed the link and found the site of Karen Hanrahan, a nutritional consultant who was celebrating 13 years of business success!
I was so impressed with the flow of her writing that I posted a comment to her site telling her how absolutely blown away by her work I was and humbly (I hope) asking her if she spare the time to drop by Elemental Truths and give me her perspective on how I could enhance my value as a behavior consultant.
She graciously accepted my request and provided me with some invaluable feedback. One of her observations was candid enough to point out the elephant standing in the middle of my room.
1. HOW CAN I EXPECT TO GROW MY SERVICES AS A BEHAVIORAL CONSULTANT IF PEOPLE DON’T KNOW WHAT A BEHAVIORAL CONSULTANT IS???!!!!
2. ISN’T ELEMENTAL TRUTHS PREDOMINANTLY ABOUT THINGS I HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST?
3. WHY DON’T I NOTE THE SOURCES FOR MY DATA?
Aaaaaarghhh…………the light……it burnnnnss!
She abosolutely nailed me dead to rights.
1. I cannot expand my services beyond my present level if it isn’t clear what a behavioral consultant does and how I can help others.
A behavior consultant works with teachers, parents, school systems, businesses and private clients to provide insight into the nature of human behaviors. Why we may struggle with situations that require us to process information and emotion in ways that are not comfortable for us, and the mal-adaptive behaviors that may develop as a result. The issues around the negativity that can develop when we seek to meet our needs for inclusion, affection and control in inappropriate ways. A behavioral consultant is neither a psychologist nor a minister but may capitalize on the strength of both of these in aiding a client.
2. Elemental Truths, at first blush to the new visitor does look like it is about my personal interests rather than a service tool.
Because of my failure to adequately introduce each topic in relation to how it is incorporated into behavior motivation, assessment and adjustment many of my articles seem disconnect and without a central theme. This is an editing issue I plan to begin to address right away, in fact with this very article.
3. Because I’ve gotten lazy in linking to research sources it doesn’t look like I have data to support everything I write about.
This is yet another short-falling that is whole due to my egocentric assumption that everyone who happens upon this site has followed it long enough to see how everything is interconnected (or should be). This is also an issue I plan to begin addressing right away with appropriate citation and links.
Karen Hanrahan has done me a great service in her frank, yet perfectly cordial input. I am placing her site among those I read daily and strongly urge you to do the same.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I am blushing a bit here that my simple and rather fleeting moment or two on your site provided such insight for you. Yet at the same time delighted that I could be the lightbulb you needed for some clarity regarding your work. I am very touched that it was my writing that was a draw for you and that it had you comment in the first place.Commenting is the ultimate compliment for a blogger. Further I am touched by all these nice things you have said about me - thank you!
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com
January 31st, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Hi Karen,
You should know I don’t do flattery but I do my best to acknowledge quality when I find it and you write quality.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Ok so now you’ve made me blush twice, and you have flattered me tremendously even if you don’t do flattery.
Humbly I appreciate
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahan
Best of Mother Earth Blog: http://www.bestwellnessconsultant.com
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hi Reg,
Your humility is humbling. This post reveals what you do and how you do it. However, you left out that you also consult and contribute to books about blogging.
I read Ted Demopoulos’ book “What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging..” and saw that you were a contributor. I felt like you did a great job, by the way.
Thanks for another great article.
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hi Chris,
You’re right. I do contribute content to folks who are writing books. I did write a section for Ted in ““What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting.” Ted is a great guy and I was excited to be a part of that project.
I’ve also answered a call for authors from Drew McClellan and Gary Heaton put out for their new book “Age of Conversation 2.0.” Whether I’m selected to contribute or not, it looks to be a great book.
I’m also working with OpenLoops blog author Bert Webb to see if we can work together to coauthor a book for teachers and parents titled “Do-Able Discipline.”
I do my best to provide practical content from the perspective of a behavioral consultant. The neat thing is, EVERYTHING we do is an element of behavior. So, from counseling, to family relations, to business workshops and blogging topics I always have something to write about.
Thanks for the comment and be on the lookout at the blogging hero page. I’m planning on including Soup or Nuts real soon!