School Psychologist
School psychologists in Israel can secure positions within the Department of Psychological Services in various cities across the country. Opportunities also exist in private educational counseling clinics, and some psychologists establish their own educational evaluation agencies for families.
For a comprehensive list of psychology job opportunities, please visit our Nefesh B’Nefesh Job Board or the Hebrew Job Board. Proficiency in Hebrew and a familiarity with Israeli culture are crucial.
Field Description
School psychologists help children and youth excel academically, socially, and emotionally. They typically work in schools, collaborating with principals, teachers, guidance counselors, parents, and students. Their responsibilities include educational evaluations, counseling, parental guidance, consultations with educators, and the development of school-wide intervention and prevention programs. Many psychologists will work at more than one school. They may also be employed by the municipality to work with students in the area.
Types of Workplaces
School psychologists can work for municipalities, privately (although official certification is required for unsupervised work), or with private organizations involved in counseling, therapy, and evaluations.
Education and Experience for Olim: A master’s degree in School Psychology is required, along with proficiency in Hebrew. Prior work experience is helpful but not mandatory.
Licensing and Certification
Previously, academic degree recognition was handled by the Ministry of Education; however, this responsibility has now been transferred to the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. The hope is that this will significantly streamline the process for this recognition. In some cases, medical professionals will require this degree recognition for purposes such as eligibility to work in the public sector (for example, occupational therapists seeking employment in schools), salary classification, and in specific situations also for licensing. For more information, please click here.
Specialty Recognition
School Psychologists who wish to be recognized need to have a license in hand before applying for specialty recognition. After you are registered in the Pinkas Hapsychologim, you can request to be recognized as a specialist through Moetset Hapsychologim, which has subcommittees for each specialization.
*Please note: the specialty committees are made up of volunteers who generally meet once a month. Please understand the reviewing process may take an average of up to 3 months for them to get back to you.
Upon final review, the committee may decide that you are required to undertake a supervised period of work, complete an internship, take a test, or draft a paper. Important to know that if there is a difference in the length or curriculum focus between your residency and Israel’s standards, and one makes Aliyah directly after the residency, the Psychology registry most probably will require you to do additional residency time.
The phone number for Moetzet Hapsychologim is 03-515-1186. Email: [email protected]. For more information on specialty recognition and to download the necessary forms, see the Misrad Habriut website.
Demand by Region
There is a national shortage of school psychologists, making job opportunities available throughout the country.
