About MSPA
The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association was established to advance school psychology as both a science and a profession, with the ultimate goal of providing and promoting learning, human welfare and dignity in schools within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The objectives of the association include stimulating and advancing quality education for all students through the development of sound educational programs based on psychological research and to promote the emotional and social development and psychological well-being of all students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In addition, MSPA works to promote and advance interests and concerns of Massachusetts Department of Education Licensed School Psychologists, to provide a forum to exchange ideas, seek solutions to common problems and advance the professional growth of school psychologists.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is dedicated to promote appropriate mental health and educational services to meet the many and varied needs of children, families and their communities. In order to achieve this aim, the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association advocates for children’s needs, informs the public of the value of school psychological services, provides continued professional development and conducts research.
What is a school psychologist?
A school psychologist is a provider of health and psychoeducational services in a school system.
The school psychologist is equipped to deal with a wide range of problems which children, parents, teachers, and administrators may face. The school psychologist is committed to the development of the full potential of each child which requires an understanding of: health issues, adacemic difficulty, behavioral adjustment, social skills, family stress, systems concerns and community pressures.
The school psychologist is trained to help children, staff and the school community in all areas of health and psychoeducational services. School psychologists are involved in co-teaching and collaboration, they are interested and work toward prevention of health and learning problems, they are expert in evaluation and assessment, they are well trained in crisis intervention, they provide individual and group counseling services and social skills training, they use research to promote effective educational planning, use data collection to evaluate programs and school psychologists provide parent and staff training on topics of specific interests or needs.
How can I access these services?
Massachusetts Department of Education licensed school psychologists are found primarily in school systems but also in private practice, hospital settings and clinics. They can be easily accessed with a phone call and an appointment. The school psychologist’s services are unique. The discipline of school psychology is the only one among education related fields to prepare its professionals to understand and integrate a variety of relevant perspectives concerning children in schools. The school psychologist uses a problem-solving framework to advocate not only for children but for all who facilitate the growth and development of children within the school community.
The information contained on this website is provided to the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association (MSPA) by members. MSPA does not endorse, approve or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness, or correct sequencing of such information. Use of such information is voluntary and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation or favoring by MSPA.
