What is a school psychologist?
Who Are School Psychologists?
School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.
What Do School Psychologists Do?
School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. They help schools successfully:
Improve Academic Achievement
Promote student motivation and engagement
Conduct psychological and academic assessments
Individualize instruction and interventions
Manage student and classroom behavior
Monitor student progress
Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health
Improve students communication and social skills
Provide individual and group counseling
Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
Assess diverse learning needs
Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities
Create Safe, Positive School Climates
Prevent bullying and other forms of violence
Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice
Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
Strengthen Family–School Partnerships
Connect families with community service providers when necessary
What Do School Psychologists Do?
School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. They help schools successfully:
Improve Academic Achievement
Promote student motivation and engagement
Conduct psychological and academic assessments
Individualize instruction and interventions
Manage student and classroom behavior
Monitor student progress
Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health
Improve students communication and social skills
Provide individual and group counseling
Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
Assess diverse learning needs
Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities
Create Safe, Positive School Climates
Prevent bullying and other forms of violence
Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice
Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
Strengthen Family–School Partnerships
Connect families with community service providers when necessary
What Training Do School Psychologists Receive?School psychologists receive specialized advanced graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education. School psychologists typically complete either a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) or a doctoral degree (at least 90 graduate semester hours), both of which include a year-long 1200 hour supervised internship.
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Why Do Children Need School Psychologists?All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.
-The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) http://www.nasponline.org/ |