By Tracy Christenson and Holly Christopher

School psychologists support students’ mental health and help them to overcome mental health challenges that may hold them back academically and socially. School psychologists administer tests and assess students for special education and other additional services, and they help students with developmental or mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

Because school psychologists work with students with  varying types of disabilities and mental health issues, their tasks vary from one day to the next. Their duties include administering tests to students and working with a team with students’ parents, teachers, and school counselors to help them understand a student’s conditions and needs, monitor student progress, and develop individualized education plans (IEPs) for students. They may also work with school administration to improve school policies and with community providers to coordinate services for students.

School psychologists need a diverse range of skills, including:

• Behavioral health management and mental health expertise for children and adolescents
• Knowledge of psychological theory and practice and psycho-educational assessments
• Special education knowledge and ability to create individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities
• Communications skills
• Problem-solving skills and treatment planning abilities

Providing mental health support for students involves:

• Identifying at-risk students and planning programs for students with disabilities
• Assessing students’ behavioral conditions and emotional needs and provide counseling when appropriate
• Promoting positive behavior for students in the classroom and encouraging student engagement
• Facilitating conflict resolution among students and practicing restorative justice and positive discipline
• Addressing bullying or violence among students
• Focusing on students’ emotional/behavioral development, including improving students’ communication skills, anger management, problem-solving, resilience, and social skills
• Monitoring student progress and communicating progress with students’ parents/guardians, helping them to understand students’ educational needs
• Understanding cultural diversity issues and advising staff regarding students’ cultural backgrounds so they can provide culturally-responsive services and support
• Providing crisis prevention or intervention

Are you interested in a school psychologist job? Join the Stellar Therapy Team! We are actively recruiting now!

Sources

School Psychologist. Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education/Related-Services/School-Psychologist

Who Are School Psychologists. National Association of School Psychologists. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.nasponline.org/about-school-psychology/who-are-school-psychologists

What Does a School Psychologist Do? University of Massachusetts Global. Published July 3rd, 2024. Updated September 10th, 2024. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.umassglobal.edu/blog-news/what-does-a-school-psychologist-do