Counseling children at risk in a resilient contextual perspective: a paradigmatic shift of school psychologists’ role in inclusive education

Abstract

Existing evidence shows an increasing number of learning, emotional, interpersonal, and behavioural problems in school-age children that affect their academic and social development. If not treated in a holistic and effective manner, these difficulties may increase the probability of more serious psychosocial and academic problems during adolescence. The purpose of this paper is to describe a school-based counseling intervention model aiming at supporting vulnerable children (children with various forms of disabilities) and families at risk based on a resilient and eco-systemic perspective. This implies a considerable and paradigmatic shift in school goals, in the role of educational staff and school psychologists as well as the establishment of a holistic and comprehensive intervention model within schools; a model which will refer to a meaningful and systemic conception of academic and mental health problems in childhood.