Co-Founder, Linden Global Learning
For over 20 years, I have worked in the field of educational psychology, and I still believe it is one of the most impactful and exciting roles in education. In international schools, where students come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, a school psychologist plays an even more critical role in ensuring that every learner receives the support they need. They help create inclusive learning environments by using a combination of empirical data and qualitative insights to understand students’ unique learning profiles and design individualized support plans. Their expertise not only transforms individual lives but also strengthens a school's overall approach to learning differences and inclusion.
School psychologists not only transforms individual lives but also strengthens a school's overall approach to learning differences and inclusion.
At Linden Global Learning Support, I have had the privilege of recruiting, training, and learning from dozens of school psychologists from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds over the past 10 years. With a team of more than 20 psychologists, we have built a collaborative model where professionals share best practices, edit each other's reports, and support one another—ensuring both professional growth and high-quality services. However, I know that in many international schools, the reality looks very different. Often, a school psychologist is the only one in their role, without a team to consult or an experienced supervisor to guide them. This makes hiring the right person even more important.
For school leaders—most of whom do not have formal training in educational psychology—bringing in a school psychologist can be a daunting task. Unlike teachers, psychologists operate in a specialized and often confidential capacity, using technical assessment tools, specialized language, and research-based interventions that may be unfamiliar to administrators. Their decisions impact students' educational trajectories for years to come, from diagnosing learning differences to determining the best support structures. Given the weight of this responsibility, it is essential to find a psychologist who is not only a good fit for the school community but also highly qualified to take on this complex role.
So, beyond checking references and ensuring a good personality fit, how do you know what to look for when hiring a school psychologist for your international school? Based on my experience, here are eight key considerations to help guide you:
1. International Experience and Mindset
Does the candidate have experience living or working internationally? It is essential that they do not assume your school systems will function the same as in their home country. Your new school psychologist needs to be adaptable and open-minded, respecting diverse cultural norms rather than imposing their own.
2. Understanding of Multilingualism
Multilingual students require careful consideration when interpreting their psychometric test scores and assessments. Your school psychologist should have extensive experience with multilingual populations and a clear approach for assessing students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
3. Testing Materials
Psychological assessments must be up-to-date, but they are costly to replace and purchase from abroad. This is essential because tests lose validity every few years and become unethical to use. Does your school have the necessary test materials for your new school psychologist? Can they work with what you already have? If not, be prepared for the costs of stocking or updating your test library.
4. Validity of Assessments in International Contexts
Most psychoeducational assessment tools are normed in specific countries (typically the US and UK) and do not fully capture the abilities of international school students. While there is no perfect solution, your psychologist should have a thoughtful, culturally sensitive approach that prioritizes multiple data sources beyond psychometric test scores.
5. Professional Support and Supervision
Working alone as a school psychologist is challenging to say the least. Psychologists need professional peers or supervisors to consult with on complex cases. Ask if your candidate has a mentor, a former supervisor, or if they would benefit from external supervision from an expert in international schools.
6. Clear, Accessible Reporting
Ask to see a sample report. If you struggle to understand it, your teachers and families will, too. In a school setting, reports should be written at around a Grade 10 reading level and be low on jargon. For international schools, where many parents are non-native English speakers, reports should use clear language and visuals to aid comprehension.
7. Defined Role Expectations
School psychologists are trained in a myriad of competencies, from providing psychoeducational assessments and designing interventions to offering one-on-one counseling, leading group counseling sessions, advising school leadership, and handling child protection issues. Be clear about what you need most. Keep in mind that a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment takes 20-30 hours to complete, so balance your expectations accordingly.
8. Understanding of the School Psychology in Their Home Country
The scope of school psychology work varies vastly between countries - and even between university training programs. In some settings, school psychologists focus solely on assessments, while others specialize primarily in interventions or consulting. Understanding your candidate’s background and training will help ensure alignment between their expertise and your school’s needs.
While there are many other factors to consider once your new psychologist begins (from confidentiality, to collaboration, supervision, and lines of reporting), these first steps can help set you on the path to hiring the right psychologist and strengthening your school’s commitment to inclusion. Not only that, you’ve probably just given a school psychologist the job of their dreams!
Need more information or guidance on any of these points?
Dr Christina Limbird and the team at Linden are always available to consult with school directors or newly hired psychologists at any stage of the recruitment and onboarding process. Find out more or get in touch with Dr Limbird:
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