There may be situations in which school personnel request that the school psychologist employ brief counseling intervention with individual students. These students are frequently in crisis and require immediate counseling support. The counseling may focus on stabilization with emphasis on crisis problem-solving. Referral to a private practitioner or to an outside agency may be needed after the initial brief counseling with the school psychologist.

The Superintendent or school principal may ask the Director of Psychological and Social Work Services for consultative and counseling support in school crisis situations. These relatively short-term services are meant to supplement rather than supplant direct services provided by regular school personnel. These crises may include: bus accidents, school shootings, the death of a teacher, etc.