School Psychology

What is a School Psychologist?

Abridged from NASP; full document at http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/whatis_print.pdf

School psychologists help children & youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, & emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students.

School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology & education. This training emphasizes preparation in mental health & educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum & instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems.

School Psychologists Work With Students to:

• Provide counseling for social, emotional, and behavioral problems
• Increase achievement by determining instructional strategies to improve learning
• Promote wellness & resilience by reinforcing communication/ social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, optimism, and understanding/ acceptance of diverse cultures & backgrounds

With Students & Families to:

• Identify & address learning/ behavior challenges
• Evaluate special needs services eligibility
• Support students’ social, emotional, & behavioral health
• Teach parenting skills & enhance home–school collaboration

With Teachers to:

• Identify & resolve academic barriers to learning
• Design & implement academic & behavioral interventions, and monitor their progress
• Create positive classroom environments
• Motivate students to engage in learning

With Administrators to:

• Implement school-wide prevention programs which maintain positive school climates
• Promote school safety policies & practices
• Respond to crises by providing leadership, services, & coordination with  community
• Design, implement, & garner support for comprehensive mental health programming