The California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW), California Association of Student Counselors (CASC), and the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) have created a guide for school-based mental health professionals.
School-based mental health professionals work systematically to support and serve their school communities—from counseling, to assessment, research, outreach, program development, and even promoting social justice. Understanding their individual and collective strengths and skills will help you best utilize your SBMHPs. Holding a minimum of a master’s degree in their respective fields and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), they are valuable advocates and leaders in the school system. SBMHPs are frontline mental health practitioners equipped to navigate the multidimensional aspects of day-to-day life in PK-12 schools and to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to students, families, and communities in crisis. SBMHPs typically work collaboratively, and each professional has unique training and talents.
