Who Are School Psychologists?

School psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. They use their training and skills to team with educators, parents, and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. School psychologists understand school systems, effective teaching and successful learning. Today’s children face more challenges than ever before. School psychologists can provide solutions for tomorrow’s problems through thoughtful and positive actions today.

The training requirements to become a school psychologist are a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours including a year-long internship. This training emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning, behavior and motivation. To work as a school psychologist, one must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which services are provided. School psychologists also may be nationally certified by the National School Psychology Certification Board (NSPCB).

What Do School Psychologists Do?

School psychologists tailor their services to the particular needs of each child and each situation. School psychologists use many different approaches, but most provide these core services:

Consultation
• give healthy and effective alternatives to teachers, parents, and administrators about problems in learning and behavior

• help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior

• strengthen working relationships between educators, parents and community services

Assessment — use a wide variety of techniques at an individual, group, and systems level to evaluate:

• academic skills

• learning aptitudes

• personality and emotional development

• social skills

• learning environments and school climate

• eligibility for special education

Intervention

• work face-to-face with children and families

• help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment

• provide psychological counseling for children and families

• provide social skills training, behavior management, and other strategies

• help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss

Prevention

• identify potential learning difficulties

• design programs for children at risk of failure

• provide parents and teachers with the skills to cope with disruptive behavior

• help foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in the school community

• develop school-wide initiatives to make schools safer and more effective

Education — develop programs on topics such as:

• teaching and learning strategies

• classroom management techniques

• working with students who have disabilities or unusual talents

• substance abuse

• crisis management

Research and Planning

• evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management systems, and other services

• generate new knowledge about learning and behavior

• contribute to planning and evaluating school-wide reform and restructuring Health Care Provision

• collaborate with school and community-based personnel to provide a comprehensive model of school-linked health services

• work with children and families to provide integrated community services focusing on psychosocial wellness and health-related issues

• developing partnerships with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments

Where Do School Psychologists Work?

The majority of school psychologists are employed in public and private school systems. However, school psychologists practice in a variety of settings including:

• public and private schools

• school-based health centers

• clinics and hospitals

• private practice

• university, community and state agencies, and other institutions