User:Geoff Plourde/wcs

Welcome to the main page of the Wikipedia Counseling Service. We look forward to assisting you. Please read the following before requesting counsel.

Counseling
Counseling is a method of providing assistance to Wikipedians on the use of Wikipedia. Counseling generally starts with education on policy and/or process. After this, the counselor will work with the user to address their particular issue. This takes many forms depending on circumstances of the situation. For example, in a deletion issue, assistance may be given with addressing the rationale. During this process, counselors remain neutral but supportive, which de-escalates a difficult situation.

Much of the benefit of counseling comes from the fact that is proactive. By intervening early, we can prevent escalation and future problems. Also by teaching the right way rather than just whacking with the hammer, the user becomes more valuable to Wikipedia.

In all, counseling is a viable method of providing a voice to inexperienced users, while solving the problem at the root.