2024 Dorothy Hill Memorial Symposium
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this symposium, participants will be able to:
- To understand different ways of conceptualizing student mental health, self-esteem, and identity
- To explore ways of assessing student mental health, well-being, and self-esteem within psychological assessments
- To explore ways of sharing student mental health information with caregivers and educators to promote well-being and success
Featuring a brief presentation by Dr. Debra Lean on: Integrating Mental Health Evaluation Data in Psychological Assessment Report Writing
SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW
School psychologists are experts in mental health, child development and behavior, and the science of learning. Mental health information, however, is often omitted or inadequately addressed in psychological assessments and within recommendations on how to support the self-esteem and well-being of children and youth. This is significant as students with learning challenges, such as Learning Disabilities and other co-occurring difficulties, experience mental health challenges and stress at a much higher rate than their neurotypical peers. At a time in education when varied, complex factors influence students' achievement and well-being, evaluating and integrating mental health information is key to providing a successful path forward for students.
This presentation outlines opportunities for school psychologists to include, understand, and apply information on mental health and well-being to support students' psychological safety, engagement, and risk-taking at home and school.
SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS
Dr. Colin King is an Associate Professor within the Faculty of Education at Western University. Registered as a School and Child Clinical Psychologist, I have trained and worked in a variety of community, hospital, and mental health settings with children and adolescents experiencing learning, behavioural, and social-emotional difficulties. Prior to arriving at Western, I worked in private practice and as a Psychologist and Coordinator of Psychological Services in the Thames Valley District School Board.
As Director of the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic (CYDC) at Western University, I oversee our training clinic for graduate students in the School and Applied Child Psychology program where we provide consultation, assessment, and intervention services for youth in our community. My research lab - Improving Accessibility and Application in School Psychology (IAASP) is dedicated to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional practices in school and applied psychology.
Dr. Debra Lean is a School and Clinical psychologist with over 35 years of school board, hospital and private practice experience. She recently retired after 20 years as the Chief Psychologist of a large Greater Toronto Area school board and before that provided school-based psychology services. Dr, Lean is currently the Director of Psychology Training at a large multidisciplinary private practice in Toronto where she provides assessments and is developing a pre-doctoral Clinical Psychology residency program. She chaired a committee updating the College’s definition of practice for School Psychology that was finalized in 2019.
Dr. Lean is an Editorial Board member for the Canadian Journal of School Psychology. She chaired the Ontario Psychological Association’s Section on Psychology in Education from 2011 to 2023 and remains a member. Dr. Lean has been a Member at Large of the Executive Committee of the Section on Educational and School Psychology of the Canadian Psychological Association. She participated in writing the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Assessment of Children, Adolescents and Adults with Learning Disabilities,and The Role of School Psychology in the Mental Health Care for Children and Youth in Ontario. Dr, Lean co-authored two books on integrating school- and community-based mental health services in 2010 and 2013.
Accredited by OPA for 3 CE Credits (pending approval)