A Business Advisor's Guide to Counseling Theories.

For the small business advisor, consulting and counseling are part of the same continuum. Advisors' roles can be aligned hierarchically: (1) advisors may need simply to provide business information or expertise; (2) they may need to facilitate the business process, helping clients identify problems and discover their own solutions; (3) for clients holding false premises, advisors may need to engage in developmental counseling to develop business concepts or identify direction and make decisions; (4) they may need to redirect clients' energies, either because their aspirations do not match their capabilities or because they are unable to consider the situation fully; or (5) advisors may need to intervene in crisis situations. All counseling theories involve the client in learning with the intent to change behavior. They provide a basis for approaching these diverse situations. The Rogerian approach, involving empathy but no attempt to change people, is best for simple consulting or facilitation. An Adlerian approach, which does not oppose advice-giving, seems best for clients needing developmental counseling. The approaches of Ellis and Thorne, respectively, are most appropriate when clients need to be told their aspirations are illogical or irrational, or when crisis intervention is necessary. (MSF)