Are You a Future School Psychologist ???

School Psychology  Is one unique branch of psychology that concentrates on the mental, emotional, social, physical and spiritual well-being of a child in relation to his/her school, age and the living atmosphere. School Psychologists work with educational institutions and families catering to the needs of children and adolescents from 3 – 20 years of age. The task of a school psychologist includes empowering students through group classes, personal counseling, informal assessments, referral for formal assessments, designing IEPs, intervention planning, working with learning disability coach and special educator, assisting teachers and parents, creating mental health first aid awareness, designing crisis intervention plans and ultimately creating safer schools and colleges.  Unquestionably, School Psychology services are “the need of the hour” and hence there is a great deal of demand for school psychologists and counselors at present and so it will be in the future. School Psychology is new to the entire world, apart from a very few countries where it has stamped its mark significantly; in fact, in many countries, School Psychology hasn’t even been introduced. However, with extensive and widespread research activities being carried out recently in developed and developing countries, School Psychology is certainly a fast developing profession and the best pick for psychology enthusiasts.

Who is a School Psychologist?

School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and 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 and education, completing a minimum of a specialist-level degree program  that includes a year-long supervised internship. This training emphasizes preparation in mental health and educational interventions, child development, learning, behavior, motivation, curriculum and instruction, assessment, consultation, collaboration, school law, and systems.

What do School Psychologists do?

School Psychologists Work With Students to: Provide counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best instructional strategies to improve learning Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds School Psychologists Work With Students and Their Families to: Identify and address learning and behavior problems that interfere with school success Evaluate eligibility for special education services (within a multidisciplinary team) Support students' social, emotional, and behavioral health Teach parenting skills and enhance home–school collaboration Make referrals and help coordinate community support services School Psychologists Work With Teachers to: Identify and resolve academic barriers to learning Design and implement student progress monitoring systems Design and implement academic and behavioral interventions Support effective individualized instruction Create positive classroom environments Motivate all students to engage in learning School Psychologists Work With Administrators to: Collect and analyze data related to school improvement, student outcomes, and accountability requirements Implement school-wide prevention programs that help maintain positive school climates conducive to learning Promote school policies and practices that ensure the safety of all students by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment Respond to crises by providing leadership, direct services, and coordination with needed community services Design, implement, and garner support for comprehensive school mental health programming School Psychologists Work With Community Providers to: Coordinate the delivery of services to students and their families in and outside of school Help students transition to and from school and community learning environments, such as residential treatment or juvenile justice programs

Where School Psychologists Work

The majority of school psychologists work in schools. However, they can practice in a variety of settings including: Public and private schools Universities School-based health and mental health centers Community-based day-treatment or residential clinics and hospitals Juvenile justice centers Private practice

How do School Psychologists make a difference in schools?

All children and adolescents face problems from time to time. They may: Feel afraid to go to school Have difficulty organizing their time efficiently Lack effective study skills Fall behind in their school work Lack self-discipline Worry about family matters such as divorce and death Feel depressed or anxious Experiment with drugs and alcohol Think about suicide Worry about their sexuality Face difficult situations, such as applying to college, getting a job, or quitting school Question their aptitudes and abilities School psychologists help children, parents, teachers, and members of the community understand and resolve these concerns.