A process consultant is a highly qualified professional that has insights into and understands the psychological and social dynamics of working with various client systems such as whole organizations, groups, and individuals.
Part of the field called Human Systems Intervention, process consultation is a philosophy of helping, a general theory and methodology of intervening (e.g. Schein 1999).
It is the role of the process consultant to help the group reach consensus over the type of conflict it faces.
Once the type of conflict is identified, the process consultant then helps the group work through the steps required to break the impasse.
Initially a process consultant will not lead or participate in a group meeting, but rather will act as an observer.