School Psychologist

SLIDE 2 = school psychologist
School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. They work 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.

SLIDE 3 = on the job
On the job, school psychologists:
Work with school-aged children and young adults
Listen to concerns about academic, emotional or social problems
Help students process their problems and plan goals and action
Promote positive behaviors
Meet with parents and teachers to discuss learning, behavioral, family and social problems
Counsel parents on topics like substance abuse and communication
Study and implement behavioral management techniques
Research and implement learning programs
Evaluate and advise school disciplinary practices for troubled students
Participate in special education by administering psychological tests

SLIDE 4 = schooling and training
School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education, completing a minimum of a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) 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. School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which they work. They also may be nationally certified by the National School Psychology Certification Board (NSPCB). The National Association of School Psychologists sets ethical and training standards for practice and service delivery.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Depending upon your level of dedication, a psychology degree necessary to work as a school psychologist can take the following time to complete:
Completion of a four-year bachelor's degree in psychology, education or other field
Master's degree programs generally require one to two years of study
Programs in certain areas of professional psychology require a one year internship

SLIDE 5 = work environment
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

SLIDE 6 = salary
According to the BLS, school psychologists earned $67,880 in 2011. The best-paid earned about $110,410 while the lowest-paid earned less than $39,060.

With an average salary of $67,880 per year, school psychologists earn more money than many other social services jobs within the education system. For instance, school counselors earn approximately $54,130 per year and elementary school teachers have a median salary of $52,840. School psychologists also make more than middle school teachers and high school teachers.

SLIDE 7 = demand
"We have a shortage of school psychology personnel that's occurring at the same time American society has decided it needs more psychologists within school walls because of all the violence that's occurring.” - Randy Kamphaus
As student enrollments increase, for example, school districts that seek to maintain the ratio of school psychologists to students need to hire more psychologists. Meanwhile, greater recognition of the important roles that school psychologists can play is prompting some districts to create additional slots for these professionals. And though a large group of school psychologists has begun to practice over the past decade, Palomares points out that a substantial number also are nearing retirement. The net effect is vastly more current openings in school psychology positions than in years past.

SLIDE 8 = responsibilities
One of the primary duties of school psychologists is assessment . School psychologists assess students suspected of having a disability as part of the process in determining eligibility for special services. A school psychologist administers a mental battery to obtain a level of intellectual functioning and academic potential. This battery also provides a better understanding of the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Personality assessments are used to obtain data about a student’s emotional and behavioral functioning. A strong aspect of assessment is the collaborative process in which the school psychologist obtains the teachers’ and parents’ perspectives. This allows the school psychologist to develop a comprehensive picture of the student, his or her functioning, and how interventions can be developed. Through this process, a multidisciplinary team is developed to determine if a disability is interfering with a student’s ability to learn.
School psychologists are also trained to offer consultation to teachers as a method of establishing interventions for a student in a classroom. Consultation is intended to be a cooperative process between school psychologists and teachers as an effort to promote success in students who are struggling. It can be used to help intervene with children displaying behavioral, emotional, or academic difficulties and help prevent the development of a more serious problem. Together, the school psychologist and the teacher identify the problem, develop specific goals, brainstorm interventions, and create a plan to help the student become more successful. The psychologist helps the teacher to develop a detailed and specific plan for the student. Again, one of the key components of this relationship is collaboration.
The counseling aspect of school psychologists allows for a wide range of interventions, such as organizational skill building and social skills training. Services are usually provided in an individual or group basis, and the availability of these services varies from system to system.

SLIDE 9 = essential personality traits
A psychologist has to be a good listener.
A psychologist must be able to pay attention not only to what the patient says, but also the patient's subtle body language. Personal information revealed through therapy often comes slowly and with effort, so great care must be taken to understand all forms of communication to help determine a proper course of treatment.
A psychologist has to be able to keep a secret.
Another key rule of therapy is that nothing said between psychologist and patient is ever disclosed, unless mandated by law, as stated in the American Psychological Association's Code of Ethics. Therapists should never share gossip learned during a session or bring their work home with them.
A psychologist has to generally care about others.
Empathy is the backbone of the psychology industry and cannot be faked. It's important that psychologists understand a patient's emotional pain and to show compassion. Those who get easily frustrated with the problems of others and want them to "just get over it" will not last long.
A psychologist has to be naturally inquisitive. (inclined to ask questions)
While listening to patients, psychologists must also guide the therapy process with their own questions. This is a good profession for those who are sharp observers, like to ask follow-up questions, and are able to analyze vague statements by patients to hunt for hidden meanings.
A psychologist has to be comfortable talking to all types of people.
Therapy patients will come from diverse racial, political, socioeconomic, moral and cultural backgrounds. A good psychologist will have the interpersonal skills to hold conversations with every personality type and inspire trust in patients.
A psychologist has to be generally stable.
No one expects psychologists to be perfect; after all, they're only human. But before they can sit patients down on the couch, psychologists must make sure that their own "mental baggage" has been addressed first. Hotheads are not needed.
A psychologist has to be tolerant.
During therapy, psychologists must uncover the deepest, darkest thoughts and fears of clients to help them deal with their problems. By doing so, psychologists must refrain from passing judgment on anything being said, even if it is the opposite of the psychologist’s personal and moral beliefs. In addition, therapists must be patient with small progress and with occasional push-back and periods of regression from clients.

You are...
You should have...
Patient
Motivational skills
Supportive
Clear communication skills
Empathetic
Goal-setting skills
Intuitive
Good boundaries
A problem solver
Good ethical standards