A consultant is the tool. In an article written by Lynne Shallcross for Counseling Today she asked several counseling professionals and educators, "What, overall, makes a great counselor?" (2012). As I read the responses, I noticed similarities in the responses and quickly identified three qualities that a great advisor possesses; flexibility, empathy and effective communication. Mark Pope, professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Family Therapy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and former president of the American Counseling Association, answered the question similarly to how I would. Pope stated, “…the foundation on which all great counselors are built is a passion to help others” (Shallcross, 2012). He also said, “Be a great customer. Great consultants truly learn to be a great consultant by being a great client first. (Shallcross, 2012). In my opinion, to truly reach an individual you have to understand them and to understand them you would have gone through similar struggles. A client will be more interested in following the advice of an advisor who is relatable than one who simply is