What We Do

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