Jenna Stoddard, M.A., Ed.S School Psychologist

1. Jenna Stoddard, M.A., Ed.S School Psychologist www.brsd.org > special education > school psychologist 570-465-3141, ext 230 stoddardj@brsd.org

2. Tonight, I will briefly talk about…. • What school psychologists do • How we accomplish it • Education required • School psych vs school counselor • Types of screenings available to parents • Testing instruments we have in the district • Topics I discuss frequently with students • How/when to request formal evaluation

3. What does a school psychologist do? School psychologists work with parents, educators, and other mental health services providers to help youngsters develop resiliency, competence, and self-esteem. 

4. How? • Intervention/Treatment to help children and youth overcome mental health problems. • Prevention/Early Intervention to prevent or minimize the occurrence of mental health problems. • Assessment/Diagnosis to provide accurate information on the nature of a child’s problem and the best approach to address it. School psychologists use individual, group, and systems level tools to evaluate: • Consultation/Case Management to promote more effective, coordinated support for children’s mental health needs. • Advocacy/Interagency Collaboration to promote research-based public policies and programs that improve academic and social outcomes for children and youth

5. Where do school psychologists work? • The majority (81%) of school psychologists work in public school settings. Other primary places of employment are private schools, community agencies, hospitals and clinics, and universities. What education is required? • The majority of states require the completion of a 60 graduate semester specialist-level program in school psychology, including a 1200-hour internship. • Many programs also offer a doctorate in school psychology, which generally requires 5-7 years of graduate work, including a 1500-hour internship and completion of a dissertation.

6. What is the difference between a school psychologist and a school counselor? In most states, school counseling does not include training or work with special education populations. SP- three years of graduate school training, including a 1200-hour internship, to become a credentialed school psychologist. (2 years including 600 hrs of internship for counselors) School psychologists often overlap the duties of counselors and social workers, and often co-lead social skills groups and serve on crisis support teams.  School psychologists are more likely to have training in behavioral analysis, mental health screening and diagnosis, research methods (and application of research to classroom practices), and specific disability areas.

7. Screenings • Attention (ADHD) • Executive Function (working memory, etc) • Behavior (aggression, conduct problems) • Mental Health (anxiety, depression) • Intelligence (IQ) • Achievement • Study skills • Autism spectrum

8. Instruments • IQ tests (verbal, nonverbal) • Achievement tests (reading, math, writing) • Memory • Attention • Executive function • Language

9. Examples of frequently discussed topics • Self-esteem/empowerment • Study skills • Anxiety • Depression • Peer pressure/relationships • Bullying • Coping strategies • Effective communication

10. Referrals • How: • quickest way is to contact special education office, principal, teacher, counselor, or school psychologist (but any staff member can forward parent requests for screening/referrals) • When: • Screenings- whenever a concern arises • Referrals- when best practices have not improved learning