Full course description
This course will run from September 23 - November 4, 2026, Meeting Day TBA, Time 5:00-6:00pm
Registration Deadline: Registrations will be accepted through September 16, 2026. Detailed instructions for enrolling with Canvas Catalog can be found at this link. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact ocpe@vcu.edu for assistance.
Description: This online-synchronous course introduces participants to the foundations of process consultation and the consultant mindset. Over six weeks, learners will explore how to respond effectively to requests for help, identify the right stakeholders, establish clear agreements, and clarify roles, expectations, scope, and desired outcomes at the start of a consulting engagement. Through learning activities, discussion, knowledge checks, and applied reflection, participants will practice key consulting skills such as active listening, diagnostic questioning, contracting, boundary setting, and navigating the natural tensions that arise in helping relationships.
Who Should Enroll
This course is designed for employees who provide guidance, support, problem-solving, or advisory services within their organization, especially those who are new to internal consulting or want to strengthen their consulting approach. It is a good fit for professionals who help teams or individuals address workplace challenges, clarify needs, manage expectations, and build trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries and role clarity. No prior consulting experience is required.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Apply a consultant mindset when responding to requests for help within their organization.
- Identify appropriate client stakeholders and establish clear agreements at the start of a consulting engagement.
- Differentiate among types of consultation and determine when each approach is most appropriate.
- Practice key steps in the contracting phase, including clarifying roles, expectations, scope, boundaries, and desired outcomes.
- Recognize and navigate common tensions that arise in helping and consulting relationships.
Skills You Will Build
Participants will develop practical skills for approaching internal consulting relationships that include:
- Listening actively and asking diagnostic questions to better understand client needs.
- Identifying key stakeholders and clarifying who should be involved in a consulting engagement.
- Establishing clear agreements around roles, expectations, scope, boundaries, and outcomes.
- Distinguishing between providing content expertise and supporting a client’s process.
- Approaching organizational challenges with curiosity rather than assumptions.
- Building trust while managing ambiguity and maintaining appropriate role clarity.
- Navigating interpersonal and organizational dynamics thoughtfully.
- Recognizing and responding effectively to tensions that can emerge in helping relationships.
Instructors:
Celia O'Hallahan, M.Ed, Consultant, VCU Organizational Effectiveness
Jeremy Bost, M.Ed, Manager, VCU Organizational Effectiveness
Discounts: Discounts are also available for VCU students, faculty and staff. Please email ocpe@vcu.edu to obtain your coupon code prior to registration. Any available coupon codes must be used/applied at the time of enrollment, cannot be combined with other discounts/coupons or waivers, and will not be retroactively applied.
Cancellation and Refund Policies: Refunds will be accepted up to 2 weeks before course start date.
In the unlikely event that this workshop is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses.
Student/Participant Conduct: Participants are subject to all university policies applicable to students, unless a specific university or VCU Continuing and Professional Education policy explicitly states otherwise. University policies governing students are available at https://vcu.public.doctract.com including:
Student Code of Conduct
Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy-Interim
Sex-Based Misconduct Policy-Interim
For Academic Accommodations, please visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/resources/policies/