Entrevista a un psicólogo educativo - PA 2 / psicología educativa

Interview with Psychologist Elson Rojas

Introduction to the Interview

• Tuladela Nunes Zavala introduces herself and the purpose of the interview, which is to explore the role of psychologist Elson Rojas at Pitauri educational institution.

Functions of a School Psychologist

• Elson Rojas outlines his main responsibilities, including individual and group student support, risk factor identification, psychoeducational workshops, vocational guidance, teacher support, and parental coordination.

• He emphasizes the importance of having physical space for student interaction and direct coordination with tutors while noting that more resources are needed for optimal performance.

Challenges Faced in Daily Work

• Rojas discusses significant challenges such as high student-to-psychologist ratios and lack of active parental involvement in addressing emotional issues.

• He mentions that some teachers do not refer cases promptly or fully understand the psychological approach taken.

Common Issues Among Students

• The most frequent problems identified include school anxiety, low self-esteem, bullying, family issues, academic demotivation, identity conflicts in adolescents, social depression, and emotional regulation difficulties.

Impact on Student Well-being

• Rojas explains how his work fosters a sense of being heard and supported among students. Emotional strengthening often leads to improved academic performance and classroom behavior.

• He highlights the promotion of social skills and resilience as key components of his role.

Significant Experiences as a School Psychologist

• A notable case involved a student experiencing psychological violence at home. With timely intervention from psychology staff and administration support, they provided emotional protection leading to recovery in confidence and class participation.

Perception of His Role by Stakeholders

• Rojas feels valued when results are visible; he notes that while administrators sometimes expect quick solutions—which can be challenging—teachers who have worked closely with him understand his role better.

• Most students appreciate having a nonjudgmental space to talk; however, parental commitment varies significantly.

Parental Involvement in Psychological Work

• Generally positive responses from students towards psychological support are noted. Parents may initially doubt the need for intervention but tend to become more cooperative once they see its benefits.

Opinion on Educational Psychology Legislation

• Rojas views Law 29719 positively as it acknowledges mental health needs in schools but criticizes its poor implementation. Many institutions lack psychologists or adequate resources for effective practice.

Suggestions for Improvement in School Psychology

• Recommendations include increasing psychologist positions per institution—especially where there is a large student population—and enhancing teacher training on mental health topics while improving infrastructure related to psychological services.