The role of the educational psychologist: accompaniment, prevention and school transformation - educational psychology

Within the field of educational psychology, the role of the school psychologist is fundamental to ensuring a comprehensive and equitable educational experience. This professional acts as a bridge between the emotional, social, and cognitive aspects of the learning process, working closely with teachers, families, administrators, and students.

Who is an Educational Psychologist?

An educational psychologist specializes in teaching-learning processes and human development within school contexts. Their role is not limited to intervening when problems arise; rather, their preventative, formative, and transformative approach makes them a key agent in building healthy, inclusive, and stimulating school environments.

Unlike a clinical psychologist, an educational psychologist does not focus exclusively on pathologies, but rather on promoting the personal and academic development of all students. Their objective is to identify barriers to learning and propose strategies that promote emotional well-being, academic performance, and inclusion.

Areas of Intervention of the Educational Psychologist

The school psychologist works at multiple levels within the educational institution. Their functions can be grouped into the following areas:

1. Individual Intervention

• They carry out psychopedagogical evaluations to detect learning difficulties, behavioral problems, special educational needs, among others.
• They provide emotional support and individual guidance to students facing complex personal situations, such as anxiety, bullying, low self-esteem, or family conflicts.
• They design intervention plans tailored to the characteristics and needs of each student.

2. Group Intervention

• Develops workshops on social skills, violence prevention, emotional education, stress management, and conflict resolution.
• Facilitates group dynamics that promote cohesion, empathy, and collaborative work in the classroom.
• Works with teachers and groups of students to improve the school climate and prevent risky situations.

3. Intervention with Teachers

• Trains teachers in topics such as educational inclusion, classroom strategies for diversity, behavior management, emotional education, and communication with families.
• Offers spaces for professional reflection to manage emotional burnout in teachers and promote more effective and empathetic pedagogical practices.

4. Working with families

• Advises parents on supporting their children's educational process.
• Facilitates meetings with families to strengthen the school-home bond.
• Intervenes in situations of family vulnerability that impact the child or adolescent's academic development.

5. Institutional Level

• Participates in the development of the Institutional Educational Project (PEI), providing a perspective focused on emotional development and well-being.
• Collaborates in the definition of action protocols for risk situations such as bullying, sexual abuse, problematic consumption, school dropouts, etc.
• Evaluates and implements institutional improvement programs in coexistence, inclusion, and mental health.

Ethical Principles and Approaches of the Educational Psychologist

The work of the school psychologist is governed by a series of fundamental ethical principles:

• Confidentiality: Responsible handling of sensitive information about students and families.
• Respect for diversity: Recognition of individual, cultural, social, and cognitive differences.
• Evidence-based intervention: Application of methodologies and tools based on scientific research.
• Student autonomy: Promoting the development of decision-making and self-knowledge in children and adolescents.

Regarding the approaches that guide their work, the educational psychologist can draw on different currents depending on the context, such as the cognitive-behavioral approach, the systemic approach, the humanistic approach or the ecological-contextual approach (such as Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model), which emphasizes the influence of the multiple systems that surround the individual.

Importance of the Educational Psychologist in Prevention

One of the greatest contributions of the educational psychologist is their ability to prevent. It intervenes before problems become worse, developing strategies to identify early signs of emotional distress, learning difficulties, or relational conflicts.

Among its preventive actions are:

• Application of early detection instruments.
• Systematic observation in the classroom.
• Teacher training in warning indicators.
• Design of personalized educational support plans.

With this, it is possible to reduce school failure, improve the quality of life of students and avoid critical situations that impact the entire educational community.

Challenges of the Educational Psychologist

Despite its importance, this professional faces multiple challenges:

• Workload: Many psychologists serve several schools or work with a high number of students, which limits their capacity for in-depth intervention.
• Low visibility Institutional: their role in school decision-making is often not recognized.
• Lack of resources: there are limitations in terms of adequate spaces, materials, or technical support.
• Low teacher training in mental health: which makes collaborative work difficult.

Overcoming these challenges requires a serious institutional commitment, solid public policies, and greater investment in school mental health.

Conclusion

The educational psychologist is a key figure in ensuring the comprehensive development of students and improving the school climate. Through their work, it is possible to address diversity, prevent academic failure, foster emotional well-being, and strengthen ties within the educational community.

Investing in educational psychology is investing in inclusion, rights, human development, and a transformative education that considers students not only as learners, but as people in the making.