Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost for participating in consultation?
This service is provided free of cost for programs implementing the Pyramid Model in partnership with the Utah Pyramid Model Project.
Is consultation expected or mandatory?
Consultation is a service offered to all programs implementing the Pyramid Model in partnership with the Utah Pyramid Model Project. It is not mandatory. Some programs may already have services from a mental health professional or a behavioral specialist who is familiar with the Pyramid Model and the children and families they serve. Such programs may want to connect these professionals with The Children’s Center Utah consultants to see how and when they may best work together. Programs without these internal mental health resources can directly contact the IECMHC program assistant once their external Pyramid Model coach has supported them through any necessary preparatory steps.
After requesting consultation, how long will it be until services start?
Once we receive a request, we will be in contact within a week to share information about next steps. A consultant will be assigned and will schedule to meet those requesting consultation, for a Welcome Orientation/Intake Appointment. This meeting will be scheduled based on the availability of the consultant and those who will be engaging in consultation. During this meeting we will determine next steps, which may include scheduling observations, reflective consultation, sharing more information about IECMHC, etc.
What is reflective practice?
Reflective practice refers to how each individual person thinks about their work. Engaging in reflective practice allows one to examine their own thoughts, feelings, and reactions related to the interactions and experiences they have within their work every day. Reflective practice allows us to slow down, so we don’t jump to conclusions or solutions without consideration of the multiple factors and lenses that impact the children and families we work with. It allows us to step back from the intense moments of our work to thoroughly explore our curiosities and better understand what the interactions or experiences really mean. Reflective practice is included as a part of reflective supervision /consultation but can also be experienced as a part of self-exploration and self-reflection.
What is reflective supervision/consultation?
Reflective supervision and consultation are relationship-based processes that have become widely accepted as best practices for providers working in the infant and early childhood family service sectors. The model is used to support frontline workers, who often provide essential services to children and families who live in high-stress situations or experience challenges that can add to the emotional stress of providers offering support to them. The field has recognized that these experiences and demands often lead to burnout and/or secondary traumatic stress. Reflective supervision and consultation include regularly scheduled discussions that allow early childhood professionals to reflect on their work, including the feelings, thoughts, and reactions provoked by engaging in the work. Meetings can be individual or group-based and support practitioners to sort through their work and build the reflective capacity that allows them to more effectively serve young children and families.
How do reflective supervision and consultation compare?
Reflective supervision and consultation are one and the same but differ in terms of who is providing the support. Reflective supervisors are generally those who work within the same organization as the individual receiving the service. Reflective supervisors may also provide some administrative oversight, if that is included within their role.
Reflective consultants reference an individual who has been hired or contracted by a program or agency to provide reflective consultation to the staff members working within it.
How do I request consultation?
See our Requesting Consultation page for more information.