Ethics and Law for School Psychologists, 8th Edition

Chapter 9 INDIRECT SERVICES II: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SYSTEMS-LEVEL CONSULTATION

As used in this chapter, the term systems-level consultation refers to cooperative problem solving between the school psychologist (consultant) and consultee(s) with a goal of improving school policies, practices, and programs. The consultees might include district or building-level administrators or program directors. In systems-level consultation, school psychologists use their special knowledge and skills to help schools better address the mental health and educational needs of all students. To be competent to provide systems-level consultation, practitioners need expertise in understanding human behavior from a social systems perspective, well-developed skills in collaborative planning and problem-solving procedures, and knowledge of principles for organizational change (Castillo & Curtis, 2014; also NASP Standard IV.1.1).

Prilleltensky (1991) foreshadowed contemporary thinking about system’s level consultation when he suggested that “school psychologists have a moral responsibility to promote not only the well-being of their clients but also of the environments where their clients function and develop” (p. 200). Consistent with this ecological focus, NASP’s Principles for Professional Ethics (2020) states:

School psychologists use their professional expertise to promote changes in schools and community service systems that will benefit children and youth and other clients. They advocate for school ...