Professional School Counselors' Perceptions of Working with School-Based Mental Health Counselors

School-aged children with mental health disorders experience a higher risk for poor academic achievement and can experience problems such as poor grades, bullying, truancy, suicidality, homicidality, and high-risk behaviors (Baker, 2013; CSH, 2004; Lambie et al., 2019; Rones & Hoagwood, 2000; Vanderbleek, 2004). Professional school counselors (PSCs) promote children's mental health in various tiered interventions and approaches (CSH, 2004). However, there are significant barriers that impede PSCs' ability to meet students' mental health needs. School-based mental health services are one way to fill the gap of needed mental health services in schools. The delivery of school-based mental health services significantly overlaps with the services that PSCs can provide (Burt et al., 2012; CSH, 2004; Gampetro et al., 2012). Past research indicates that a partnership between PSCs and SBMHCs is necessary to implement effective mental health services, but little research exists that explores the dynamic between these two professional sectors (Adelman & Taylor, 2002; Baker, 2013; Burt et al., 2012; Gampetro et al., 2012). The researcher used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology to study PSCs' perceptions of their experiences working with SBMHCs in their schools. The research team developed six superordinate, overarching themes, with 26 subordinate themes subsumed within the superordinate themes. The six superordinate themes are: "Perceptions of Roles, Perceptions of Systemic Influences, Perceptions of Discord, Perceptions of Support, Perceptions of Collaboration, and Perceptions of Mental Health Access." Included is a discussion of each of the superordinate themes, and implications for school counseling practice, considerations for schools, and implications for SBMHCs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]