For parents: How can a school psychologist help my child?
May 5-11 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and an opportunity to inform parents on the valuable services school psychologists provide to students at every grade level.
WCPSS employs more than 90 school psychologists who work as part of a team of student services professionals available in every school. Together with counselors, social workers and other staff, school psychologists help shape a school’s climate to help create a healthy learning environment, says Sarah Greene, lead school psychologist for WCPSS.
“Our main goal is to address students and put interventions in place so they can maximize the learning environment,” Greene says. “The services school psychologists provide all drive back to the mission and the purpose of the system, which is helping students be successful in school.”
What does a school psychologist do?
School psychologists provide regular training for teachers and staff on how to support students with emotional challenges, such as losing a loved one or coping with divorce. They play a critical role in responding to emergencies that affect school, such as the death of a fellow student or teacher. Psychologists also help develop a positive school-wide culture and systems for encouraging positive behavior, such as incentive programs and anti-bullying campaigns.
A lot of a school psychologist’s time is also spent working on one-on-one with students, Greene says. According to national statistics, as many as 1 in 5 students need mental health support throughout their educational careers.
“Our schools are a microcosm of society,” Greene says, “so students may be coping with a range of issues, such as depression and anxiety. It’s important for parents to know that we are here to help students have the best chance of success in school, and if we need to help them find additional resources outside of school, we can help with that, too.”
How do I get help for my child?
Support is available for any student from pre-K all the way up through grade 12. A parent’s first contact should be with the school counselor, who can help bring in additional resources as necessary, Greene says.
Helpful Resources
Tips from the National Association of School Psychologists
The role of school psychologists
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/sbmhservices.pdf
A primer for parents – how to identify depression in children and adolescents
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/nasp_depreng.pdf
Our school psychologist is Lisa Occhipinti. She can be reached at locchipinti@wcpss.net or my calling 919-890-7333.
WCPSS employs more than 90 school psychologists who work as part of a team of student services professionals available in every school. Together with counselors, social workers and other staff, school psychologists help shape a school’s climate to help create a healthy learning environment, says Sarah Greene, lead school psychologist for WCPSS.
“Our main goal is to address students and put interventions in place so they can maximize the learning environment,” Greene says. “The services school psychologists provide all drive back to the mission and the purpose of the system, which is helping students be successful in school.”
What does a school psychologist do?
School psychologists provide regular training for teachers and staff on how to support students with emotional challenges, such as losing a loved one or coping with divorce. They play a critical role in responding to emergencies that affect school, such as the death of a fellow student or teacher. Psychologists also help develop a positive school-wide culture and systems for encouraging positive behavior, such as incentive programs and anti-bullying campaigns.
A lot of a school psychologist’s time is also spent working on one-on-one with students, Greene says. According to national statistics, as many as 1 in 5 students need mental health support throughout their educational careers.
“Our schools are a microcosm of society,” Greene says, “so students may be coping with a range of issues, such as depression and anxiety. It’s important for parents to know that we are here to help students have the best chance of success in school, and if we need to help them find additional resources outside of school, we can help with that, too.”
How do I get help for my child?
Support is available for any student from pre-K all the way up through grade 12. A parent’s first contact should be with the school counselor, who can help bring in additional resources as necessary, Greene says.
Helpful Resources
Tips from the National Association of School Psychologists
The role of school psychologists
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/sbmhservices.pdf
A primer for parents – how to identify depression in children and adolescents
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/nasp_depreng.pdf
Our school psychologist is Lisa Occhipinti. She can be reached at locchipinti@wcpss.net or my calling 919-890-7333.