What Does a School Psychologist Do?

Skilled School Psychologists Often Wear Many Hats
School psychologists play a pivotal role in promoting your students’ academic success and mental well-being. They’re specially trained to work within schools to support students, teachers and families with issues that may impact learning and child development. From assessments and counseling to possible intervention strategies, school psychologists are powerful advocates and problem-solvers.
The roles of school psychologists
School psychologists can wear many hats, adapting and adding skills to meet the needs of a particular demographic and school community. Depending on location and type of school, the roles of school psychologists may include:
Evaluation
School psychologists assess academic skills, emotional development and behavioral challenges. They conduct psycho-social evaluations to determine if students qualify for special education services or personalized learning plans.
Support
When students face challenges such as depression, bullying or learning disabilities, school psychologists offer counseling and behavioral interventions. They also create strategies to help students manage stress and build resilience.
Consultation
School psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents and administrators to develop plans that address students’ needs. Whether it’s designing classroom accommodations or providing advice on managing behavior, they ensure everyone’s on the same page to support the student.
Crisis control
During safety emergencies and natural disasters, school psychologists offer crisis counseling and create protocols to support the mental health of all students.
What kind of training do school psychologists need?
School psychologists undergo rigorous training to prepare for complex healthcare roles, according to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Most complete a master’s-level degree, which typically involves three years of graduate study. (This includes a year-long supervised internship.) Some go on to pursue a doctoral degree in advanced research or clinical practice.
According to NASP, school psychologist training includes coursework in child development, psychology, education and mental health intervention. School psychologists learn how to conduct assessments, analyze data and implement evidence-based strategies to address academic and behavioral challenges.
School psychologists are often required to earn state certification or licensure. Many pursue these national certifications to ensure they meet the highest professional standards.
How a school psychologist can help your teen
Teens can face intense pressures from homework stress to social challenges. By working collaboratively with parents and teachers, school psychologists empower teens to overcome daily obstacles and thrive. A school psychologist can be a valuable ally to help your teen navigate daily life.
- Address academic struggles. If your teen has trouble keeping up with coursework or concentrating in class, a school psychologist can assess their learning needs and suggest strategies to improve focus and time management.
- Support emotional health. Teens dealing with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem can benefit from counseling or interventions designed by school psychologists.
- Boost social skills. For teens specifically struggling with peer relationships, school psychologists can teach conflict resolution, empathy and effective communication to improve social interactions.
Psychologist services at LifeWorks Schools in Pennsylvania
At LifeWorks Schools near Doylestown, PA, the team of board-certified behavior specialists, behavior managers, counselors, supervisors and administrators all support the behavioral needs of students.
Primary goals of LifeWorks’ school psychology services are:
- Provide innovative, evidence-based instruction to promote academic achievement and emotional growth.
- Establish methods of ongoing progress monitoring with data collection and ongoing analysis.
- Collaborate with teachers and parents on instructional strategies, program modifications and specially designed plans for students.
LifeWorks Schools in Pennsylvania provide group and individual counseling led by master’s level certified school counselors and licensed professional counselors. Topics may include:
- Social skills
- Decision making
- Anger management
- Reducing anxiety
- Suicide prevention
- Addiction and recovery
- Relationships and family systems
- Grief and loss
- Self-esteem concepts
- Pregnancy and sexuality
- Trauma and abuse recovery
- Coping skills and self-control
- Medication management
Contact LifeWorks
LifeWorks Schools admissions staff is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to schedule a local tour or intake. For questions about programming, call 215-489-3028 or complete the online contact form.