Teleconsultation in Schools

This practical guide to teleconsulting for school psychology professionals demonstrates how rapid advances in the field can help them expand support for educators, administrators, students, and their families by providing online access to consulting services.

As schools adapt to teaching in the era of COVID and beyond, educators and school administrators have an increased need for consultation services via videoconferencing and other technologies. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to how school psychology professionals can provide effective and culturally-sensitive teleconsultation.

The authors describe a step-by-step consulting framework for building productive and collaborative relationships with educators, students, and families, and for troubleshooting any technical or client-related difficulties that arise. This framework includes building rapport with clients, identifying the presenting problem, developing and implementing treatment plans, and performing ongoing evaluations. Case examples illustrate each chapter, and a variety of online infographics are available as learning aids. The book concludes with a consideration of barriers to service, including accessibility, and considers the future promise of teleconsultation in schools.

List of Tables and Figures

Series Foreward
Michelle Perfect

Preface

Part I. Foundations or School Teleconsultation

• Chapter 1. The Historical Context of School Teleconsultation
• Chapter 2. Professional and Ethical Issues in School Teleconsultation

Part II. A Practical Guide to School Teleconsultation

• Chapter 3. Relationship Building During School Teleconsultation
• Chapter 4. Problem Identification During School Teleconsultation
• Chapter 5. Problem Analysis During School Teleconsultation
• Chapter 6. Intervention, Planning, Training, and Support
• Chapter 7. Evaluation of the Teleconsultation Process and Outcomes

Part III. Barriers to School Teleconsultation and Future Directions

• Chapter 8. Navigating Barriers to School Teleconsultation
• Chapter 9. Future Directions in School Teleconsultation

References

Index

About the Authors

Aaron J. Fischer, PhD, BCBA-D, is the Dee Endowed Professor of School Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Utah. He conducts technology-focused research in educational and psychological settings, specifically using telepresence robotics with teachers during school and clinic-based consultation.

His current research emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technology in school and psychological practice. Dr. Fischer is coeditor of two related texts, Computer-Assisted and Web-Based Innovations in Psychology, Special Education, and Health and Technology Applications in School Psychology Consultation, Supervision, and Training.

Bradley Bloomfield, PhD, BCBA-D, NCSP, is a lecturer in applied behavior analysis at Monash University. His research emphasizes indirect service delivery in supporting parents and teachers, evidence-based behavior interventions, and the use of technology within consultation and intervention.

His publication record includes three book chapters and 16 peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Bloomfield is an editorial board member for two journals, served as a guest editor for a special-topic journal on advances in consultation, and has been an ad-hoc reviewer for various peer-reviewed journals.

User-friendly guide that illustrates the vari­ous ways in which teleconsul­tation can be implemented in the school setting…this book is a practical guide for school psychologists, researchers, and graduate educators who are interested in school teleconsultation and its applications…highly recom­mended.
—Communique (CQ), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Teleconsultation is the next frontier of school consultation and there is a clear need for a guide that expertly informs its practice. This volume by Drs. Fischer and Bloomfield is exactly that guide. By effectively combining theory and research, Teleconsultation in Schools: A Guide to Collaborative Practice provides a wealth of useful practice suggestions and is highly recommended.
—William P. Erchul, PhD, ABPP, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh

Teleconsultation in Schools: A Guide to Collaborative Practice by Fischer and Bloomfield is a groundbreaking text. The authors provide compelling arguments for how technology can be used to increase mental health interventions in clinical and applied educational settings. The book features foundations of teleconsultation, guidelines for consultation within school settings, and ways to overcome barriers as well as directions for future work. All this content is based on experience in research and practice. This is a most compelling book for psychologists and other professionals interested in expanding interventions in their practice.
—Thomas Kratochwill, PhD, Professor of School Psychology, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, School of Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Fischer and Bloomfield’s text is timely, comprehensive, and highly accessible to practitioners, trainers, researchers, and educational decision-makers. It covers a wealth of issues associated with school teleconsultation—from building rapport to mitigating barriers—with the breadth and depth needed to gain expertise on a highly relevant topic. It is a must-have for all service providers in this new age of telecommunications.
—Susan M. Sheridan, PhD, Director, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, University of Nebraska-Lincoln