School Psychologist

Mrs. Kristin Cheshire
School Psychologist
 330-896-7706  

 
    
What is the role of a school psychologist?
 
School psychologists have specialized education in both psychology and the learning process. They are trained to team with educators, parents and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. When challenges arise in the school, they collaborate with others and provide consultation, intervention strategies, and suggestions for prevention. School psychologists’ first responsibility is often the population of students at risk for failure and who have identified disabilities.

School psychologists often tailor their services to the particular needs of each child and each situation. They help others understand how a child’s development and his/her environment interact to affect the student’s learning and behavior. Using a variety of techniques, they evaluate a student’s academic skills, learning aptitudes, emotional development, social skills, and learning environment. In doing so, school psychologists seek to offer effective alternatives for problems in learning and behavior.
School psychologists are required to hold a master’s degree, including a year-long internship. The training emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning, behavior and motivation. To work as a school psychologist, one must be certified and/or licensed by the state in which services are provided.
 
An excellent source of information on depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders and anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders can be found here:
http://www.massgeneral.org/schoolpsychiatry/index.asp