Psychological Services

Phone: {240} 236-1250 Fax: {240} 236-1251

Department Personnel, Assignments,
Phone Numbers & Office Locations

Psychological Services Handbook (password needed to view)

What is a School Psychologist?

A school psychologist is a professionally-trained psychologist who specializes in working with pre-school and school-age children, adolescents, their teachers, and families. They work with all school personnel to help make education a positive and rewarding experience for students.

School psychologists bring a unique perspective to the field of education. Their specialized training enables them to "bring a different view" to schools in research and planning. School psychologists assist in evaluating the effectiveness of academic programs, as well as the effectiveness of classroom or school-wide behavior/learning approaches.

A school psychologist is a professional who utilizes his or her training to assist students in developing their potential toward becoming productive members of society. School psychologists help identify issues that may impact learning, and are primarily responsible for assisting schools in identifying educational disabilities such as Autism, Specific Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, or Emotional Disturbance, as mandated by state and federal law. A school psychologist administers and interprets tests of cognitive abilities, test of processing of information, and completes assessments of social-emotional functioning. A school psychologist assists school personnel in developing effective academic interventions and behavioral strategies for students. School psychologists are trained in counseling and crisis interventions and may offer brief counseling or lead a topic-specific counseling group. In addition, school psychologists perform student threat assessments as requested by school principals.

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

Consultation…

· giving effective alternatives to teachers, parents and administrators about problems in learning and behavior
· helping others understand child development and how it influences learning and behavior
· strengthening working relationships between educators, parents, and community members and groups

Assessment…

Using a wide variety of techniques at an individual-, group-, and systems-level. Specific areas to assess may include:

· academic skills
· memory and learning skills
· personality and emotional development
· learning environment and school climate
· eligibility for special education
· adaptive and maladaptive behavior

Intervention…

· working collaboratively with children and families
· helping to solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment
· providing short-term psychological counseling for children and families
· providing social skills training, behavior management, and other intervention strategies
· helping families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss

Prevention…

· identifying potential learning difficulties
· designing programs for children at risk for failure
· providing parents and teachers with the skills to help manage difficult circumstances
· helping foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in the school community
· developing school-wide initiatives to make schools safer and more effective
· promoting positive school climates for all children to succeed

Education…

To develop professional and/or parent programs on topics such as:

· teaching and learning strategies
· classroom management techniques
· working with students who have disabilities or exceptional talents
· substance abuse
· crisis management
· staff/professional development
· parenting education

Research and Planning…

· to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management systems, and other services
· to generate new knowledge about learning and behavior
· to contribute to planning and evaluating school-wide reform and restructuring