Good school psychology books are an important tools for school psychologists. These books provide new ideas and insights into how schools and their students work. Below are five of the best books on the market, each of which can make you better at your job.
1. Professional Ethics for School Psychologists
School psychologists stand in a very uncomfortable place when it comes to ethical decision making. On one side is the well-being and happiness of the student, while on the other is the well-being of the school itself. If you have ever found yourself in an ethical dilemma, this book is a must. Full of case studies that can help you make decisions more easily, this is one of the best books that any school psychologists can own. If you want to be more secure in your decision making, this is the book you need.
2. DSM-5 Desk Reference
The DSM-5 is a must-have for any psychologist, no matter in what setting he or she operates. If you are in a school setting, though, you may not have the room for the DSM-5 or even the ability to tote it around. If you’re looking for something helpful and you don’t want to use the internet, though, you can grab this easy desk reference. Small enough to keep on your desk and slip into a briefcase, it’s definitely worth keeping around. When it comes to the best school psychologist books to keep on your at all times, this is a no-brainer.
3. The School Psychologist’s Survival Guide
Some of the best books for school psychologists concentrate on helping to make you a better practitioner. This book helps to examine some of the most common incidents that will occur during your career and gives you real-world guidance on how to handle them. While it may not have the professional pedigree of some of the other books on this list, it is nonetheless a great book to have around when you are going through a difficult period. This is a great book to keep at home.
4. Adolescence 15th Edition
The gold-standard in adolescent psychology, this book is a must for any school psychologist who works in a high school or middle school. It is a highly technical book that helps you understand how teens and tweens function and working with it can give you a greater insight into how your students work. The current edition is always the best, as it is full of up-to-date research and anecdotes that can help you to improve your practice. You may have used this book in school, but it’s still worth keeping around in your office.
5. How Children Succeed
Sometimes, it’s a good idea to have a book on hand that can give you ideas. While this is by no means one of the standard texts used in psychology schools, it’s still a fantastic resource. You’ll need this book to help you figure out how to help students and, perhaps, how to figure out why they are failing. A well-written book, it is perhaps the most engaging read on this list. If you want a good educational psychology book, you’ll want to take a look at this one. Keep it at school or just by your nightstand to get some good ideas.
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If you want to be a better psychologist, make sure that you keep working towards learning about your students. A good set of reference books will broaden your mind and allow you to make better decisions for those in your care. The best school psychology books are those that will inspire you to be a better psychologist.