The role of the Educational / School Psychologist - Article by Andria Athanassiou

According to the NASP- National Association of School Psychologists, a School Psychologist is currently considered a trained Mental Health professional who provides Psychological and Behavioral services to children and adolescents.

School Psychologists are trained professionals in the provision of high quality mental and behavioral health services in the school context, in order to ensure the provision of support to all students with the ultimate goal of their success at school, at home and in all possible future contexts. to get involved. The School Psychologist comes in contact with the students themselves, with the students and their families, with the teachers, with the administrative staff of each school or structure, but also with other stakeholders such as Special Educators, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychiatrists health and others. The role and responsibilities of the School Psychologist today concern the evaluation, the intervention and the counseling.

By Evaluation I refer to the traditional responsibility for evaluating children through the collection of information, through various tools such as structured tests - tests, interviews, clinical behavioral observations and the use of specific measurement procedures.

By the term Counseling I refer to the responsibility of the School Psychologist to support students, parents, but also teachers in teaching / educating students with behavioral problems but also with emotional and learning needs. School Psychologists use documented psychological interventions, such as the cognitive-behavioral approach, relaxation and Mindfulness techniques, to cultivate parenting skills, resolve crises (mourning, divorce), manage anxiety, fear, stress, jealousy, school bullying, school failure, modifying aggressive behavior, adapting to change (moving, moving from one school to another), enhancing children's social skills and self-esteem. This specialty is aimed at parents of children regardless of age for counseling, individual assessments of children aged 6 ???? years up to 18 years and individual therapeutic intervention in the children themselves aged 4 to 18 years.

It is the obligation of the School Psychologist to practice the profession following the principles of the code of ethics established by the profession. The sources of these principles are the APA Code (APA's 2010 Ethical Principles of Psychologists) and the NASP Code (Code of Conduct and NASP's Principles for Professional Ethics (2010b). the Post-Code of Ethics of the European Federation of Psychological Associations (EFPA).

However, despite the fact that many factors affect the performance of School Psychologists, there are common basic elements of training and practice for everyone. The basic criterion for practicing the profession of School Psychologist in the Republic of Cyprus is the registration of the professional in the Register of Registered Psychologists and obtaining the license to practice the profession. In case you wish to use the services of School Psychologists, make sure that the professional you choose has a license to practice the profession.

Article: Andria Athanassiou (Registered Educational / School Psychologist) - Learning For All Training Center