Abstract
M.Ed.
Drastic changes in the social and education structure in South Africa result in the
educational psychologist's training being inadequate for the role which he should
fulfill as a consultant. His role is increasingly becoming one of social reconstruction
and prevention rather than dealing with, and solving problems . It is a part of the
educational psychologist consultant's role to continually come up against unfamiliar
and unique situations and he must possess the necessary skills to undertake research independently to be able to make knowledgeable inputs. It is therefore required that the training of the educational psychologist as consultant focuses on the empowering role of the educational psychologist as a consultant and as an independent practitioner who will control his own practice and practice development. The objectives of this study were to establish what knowledge and skills the educational psychologist needs as a consultant to meet the urgent mental health and special educational requirements of our country. It was further investigated how the educational psychologist should be trained as a consultant to meet South Africa's extensive, diverse and rapidly changing needs. The study was concluded with a number of guidelines for training, derived from the investigation, which were formulated in an outcomes-based format. The research has definite implications for the training and further education of the educational psychologist. Training programmes at universities where educational psychologists are trained should be adapted so that they also include training of the educational psychologist as a consultant. Further training of educational psychologists should also be reflected upon in order to ensure their effectiveness in the South African context.