Theoretical Foundations in Psychology for Consultation
Case Study: Overhauling Payroll and PTO Management Systems
PSY FPX 8730 Assessment 4 A charter school contract consultancy hires the finance director and operations manager to justify their Paid Time Off (PTO) and payroll systems and examine the increasing turnover at one of their facilities. Over the last few years, the school has experienced a radical transformation, such as the opening of a new branch, which essentially doubled the number of students and employees. Also, retirement of critical finance staff exposed inefficient practices irrelevant to effective time management. Because 30 more employees have been added, there is an urgent need to automate payroll and PTO processes. Also, turnover at the initial facility (CS1) has increased over the last couple of years, and it is vital to understand why.
One of the problems is due to incessant rotation in administrative positions that generates unclear responsibility among staff members, specifically among office and operations managers. Previous attempts at implementing digital clocking have faltered, an indication of a general aversion to change within the organization. The Board of Trustees is concerned with mounting turnover, seeing its strain on resources and distraction from focus on student welfare. The Executive Director, the individual responsible for program efficacy, is under pressure to correct the situation immediately.
PSY FPX 8730 Assessment 4 Theoretical Foundations in Psychology for Consultation
The finance director, coordinating the consultancy assignment, presents background on the existing payroll system and intended results. Operations managers may provide information on school daily procedures, e.g., attendance and PTO. Principals, with an eye on reputations when turnovers are high, may not be interested in reporting potential negative facts. Yet their impressions of classroom functioning are priceless. Lastly, teachers’ self-report responses for reasons to depart or stay may reflect critical issues.
PSY FPX 8730 Assessment 4 Other techniques like qualitative interviews, surveys, and focus groups can reveal staff attitudes and lead to healthy changes. Gestalt psychology’s focus on problem-solving in an holistic way and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that aims to correct irrational thinking and action offer theoretical models of intervention.
Consulting Theories and Evidence-based Practices
In contrast to behaviorism, Gestalt psychology theorizes learning to be a function of high-level cognitive functions, encouraging problem-solving as opposed to stimulus-response processes. Just like Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), an earlier forerunner to CBT, addresses irrational notions upholding maladaptive conduct. Combining behavior and cognition methods, CBT provides optimistic, evidence-based care for the majority of psychological concerns.
Synthesis of Consulting Theories
For the charter school, change sensitivity can be facilitated by Gestalt theory, while CBT interventions can direct decision-making and behavior change. Minimizing resistance to change and maximizing rational decision-making may allow consultants to facilitate organizational resilience and development.
Consulting Guidelines
Consultants are change facilitators, using collaborative problem-solving to bring about change. Involving stakeholders in problem-definition, goal-setting, and strategy-development guarantees long-term success. Objectivity and openness to questioning problems are necessary so that consultants can most effectively advise clients.
References
Block, P. (2011). Flawless consulting: A guide to getting your expertise used (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Chidiac, M. (2013). An organizational change approach based on Gestalt psychotherapy theory and practice. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 26(3), 458-474.
David, O. (2016). The foundations and evolution of cognitive-behavioral coaching in organizations: An interview with Dominic DiMattia. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 34(4), 282-288.
PSY FPX 8730 Assessment 4 Theoretical Foundations in Psychology for Consultation
Huisman, P., & Kangas, M. (2018). Evidence-based practices in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) case formulation: What do practitioners believe is important, and what do they do? Behaviour Change, 35(1), 1-21.
Sills, C., Lapworth, P., & Desmond, B. (2012). Gestalt in organizations: with the gestalt coach or consultant. In An introduction to Gestalt (pp. 165-180). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Wedding, D., & Corsini, R. J. (2018). Current Psychotherapies. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
