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Training school psychologists in psychopharmacology consultation
Author(s) -
Roberts Holly J.,
Floress Margaret T.,
Ellis Cynthia R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/pits.20423
Subject(s) - school psychology , psychology , psychopharmacology , intervention (counseling) , medical education , association (psychology) , psychiatry , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , medicine
The number of children taking psychotropic medications has dramatically increased in recent years. These children typically take medication during school hours, thereby making the school setting an optimal venue in which evaluate the effectiveness of medications. Given their training in data‐based decision making, intervention, and assessment, school psychologists should be involved in the evaluation of medication effectiveness in children at school. However, many school psychology programs do not offer formal training in psychopharmacology. This article describes the American Psychological Association and National Association of School Psychologists standards for psychopharmacology training. Additionally, the article details how school psychologists can use the behavioral consultation model, described by Kratochwill & Bergan (1990) to evaluate the effectiveness of medications. Legal and ethical considerations are also discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.