The School Psychologist's Pivotal Role in Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Children

Abstract

Current theoretical perspectives, educational trends, and research documenting the relationship of psychological factors to illness provide impetus for a collaborative relationship among professionals in schools and health care to enhance children's functioning in school. Two approaches to this interdisciplinary perspective are presented. First, viewing the role of the school psychologist in the school setting, methods are described that can be employed to develop and maintain close relationships with the physicians and other health care professionals responsible for meeting children's health care needs. Second, the roles of school psychologists who are employed full or part-time in medical settings to work in tandem with physicians are discussed, along with implications for training.