Meghan Green, Ph.D., Coordinator Psychological Services

Charles Barrett, Ph.D., Coordinator Psychological Services

WHO ARE LCPS SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS?

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community. (from National Association of School Psychologists website)

WHAT SERVICES DO SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS PROVIDE?
Counseling: Psychologists provide counseling interventions to special education students as a related service and general education students to improve the social, emotional, and behavioral skills and functioning of children and adolescents.   
Prevention Education: Psychologists provide classroom-based universal mental health education to students and serve as trainers for Sources of Strength to promote positive mental health, strengths, resiliency and protective factors.
Crisis Intervention: Psychologists respond to critical incidents that impact the emotional functioning of students and school staff providing psychoeducational interventions and supports.
PBIS Coaching: Psychologists coach school Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support (PBIS) teams in planning for, analysis of, and documentation of efforts related to implementation of PBIS.
Behavioral Consultation and Intervention: Psychologists conduct behavioral assessments and develop function-based interventions for students whose behavior is interfering with their educational functioning. 
Psychological Evaluations: Psychologists assess the cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional functioning of preschool and school-age children, write comprehensive psychological reports, and hold conferences with parents to explain results and identify the educational and mental health needs of the child for students referred for special education or Section 504 services.
Progress Monitoring: Psychologists screen and progress monitor students receiving intervention.|
Threat Assessment: Psychologists provide mental health input to school threat assessment teams in assessing and resolving threats of violence against school staff and students.  
Suicide Risk Screening: Psychologists screen suicidal risk of referred students to identify the severity of suicidal thoughts and behavior to identify needed mental health supports.  
Eligibility Team: Psychologists present psychological evaluation findings and assist the eligibility team in determining whether students qualifies for special education and Section 504 services.
Problem Solving Team: Psychologists serve on school intervention teams (Unified Mental Health Team, Pupil Services Student Support Team) to promote individual behavioral and social-emotional interventions to support children.
Referral Review Team: Psychologists serve on the Referral Review Team to review records and other performance evidence to assist in determining whether a student is suspected of having an educational disability and in need of an evaluation.        

What are some facts about LCPS School Psychologists?

Each LCPS middle and high school has a full-time psychologist.  At the elementary level, LCPS psychologists typically serve two or three schools. School psychologists are highly trained in the fields of psychology and education.  The minimum requirements for training include a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) in School Psychology and a year-long supervised internship. Many LCPS school psychologists have earned or are working toward a doctorate. LCPS school psychologists are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Board of Psychology. Most LCPS school psychologists are also credentialed as Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP). To apply, please visit the LCPS Department of Human Resources and Talent Development website.