Finding Collaboration Opportunities
[ERMHS Series #2]
Definition of ERMHS:
| Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) are mental health services for students who qualify for special education. ERMHS supports student’s social-emotional needs. They can also help to improve the student’s academics, behavior, and overall well-being. ERMHS are individually tailored to the student’s needs and to their Individual Education Program (“IEP”) goals. ERMHS may include counseling (individual, group) and/or social work services (collaboration and case management). (source) |
A School Psychologist operates as part of the overall school team as well as a Special Education team. These professionals often have specialized knowledge and skills related to specific areas of child development, instruction, and differentiated instruction. Collaboration is key, and there are important components that you contribute to the conversation.
What might a School Psychologist know that relates to mental health needs/skills?
- Child Development
- Behavior Modification (“Can’t Do” vs. “Won’t Do”)
- Parenting Strategies
- Perspective Taking
- Zone of Proximal Development
- Mental Disorder vs. Coping Skill Deficit
Sometimes a student just has a much stronger relationship with their teacher, so the School Psychologist might collaboration and consult with the teacher who then provides encouragement or support to the child.
A School Psychologist may be the best person to offer the support, but they are pulled in too many different directions to do so effectively (e.g., tons of meetings, testing, report writing, traveling between sites)… it really depends.
But what remains true is that the School Psychologist can be the key connector or support for a student in their moment of need. Collaboration efforts help highlight these opportunities, and potential barriers that keep them from happening more often.
Prevention is always preferred; because if a School Psychologist is able to check-in, or counsel, a student consistently – they may miss a few meetings, but that student (1) feels more connected to their site, (2) receives appropriate support quickly, and (3) works with a professional who is best able to determine the child’s learning needs in that moment. It pays off in the long run!
There are differences between a School Psychologist, School Counselor, School Social Worker, and outside therapist (e.g., LMFT, LPCC, LCSW); however, in the context of a school, students need support to (1) feel confident, (2) expand their capabilities, and (3) reflect on their learning. Many of these come after children have taken risks and learned new things along the way.
As a mental health provider in the schools, a School Psychologist can clarify things for students – and staff – that helps build an individual’s sense of purpose, passion, and resilience.
Ways that School Psychologists (specifically) can be good collaborators:
- Be visible for your school staff and students
- Work with instructional coaches on any intervention structures or resources
- Set limits to ensure the balance is appropriate for your work setting
- Consult with administrators about their vision and long-term goal for student support
- Look for resources to help inform the school community about mental wellness
Reminder…
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) also recognizes the fact that School Psychologists may provide ERMHS – and related – mental health supports to students. Domain 4 reads:
Domain 4: Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Interventions
School psychologists understand the biological, cultural, developmental, and social influences on mental and behavioral health, behavioral and emotional impacts on learning, and evidence-based strategies to promote social–emotional functioning. School psychologists, in collaboration with others, design, implement, and evaluate services that promote resilience and positive behavior, support socialization and adaptive skills, and enhance mental and behavioral health.
So yes, School Psychologists can provide ERMHS to students within the school setting as appropriate. These supports should be clearly defined and aligned with specific goals to help students address educationally-based difficulties! When appropriate, other support staff (e.g., school counselor or school social worker) may be the best positioned to work with a student – but do not discount the influential role that a School Psychologist can play.
Keywords: collaboration, teamwork, student support, school psychologist, psychologist, school, ermhs, special education
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