Working with children as a teacher, counselor, nanny or a social worker is a career that is more heart over mind. Children are very fragile creatures and adults are responsible for making or breaking them. This is why it is imperative that if you want to go into a career involving children, your heart must be in the right place.
What is child psychology?
Child psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with only children and adolescents. The psychologist will identify and treat children who have behavioral and emotional issues. The psychologist also works closely with all caregivers and parents of the child so they can help the child when the psychologist is not there.
What is the job description of a child psychologist?
You may be wondering, “What is the role of a child psychologist?” They provide unique psychological services. Child psychologists study how children think and behave from the time they are babies until they reach adolescence. This is a healthcare professional tasked with the treatment of children who were subjected to physical and mental abuse, childhood trauma, stress, anxiety, parental issues like separation and divorce, domestic upheavals such as seeing a parent beaten or killed by another, death or loss, drugs and alcohol, body image issues, obesity and a long list of other issues that children struggle with on a daily basis. Aside from the mental and emotional issues, child psychologists have also been included in the management of learning disabilities like OCD, dyslexia and autism. As soon as the problem is diagnosed, child psychologists draw up a plan to address the issue at hand. This may include playtime, music, drawing or talking to the child involved to thresh out the issues in a non-threatening environment.
Child psychologists also work with doctors and family counselors to complete a child’s diagnosis and treatment. Child psychologists can work in school settings as well. They will work closely with teachers of children who have been affected by trauma, mental illness, learning disabilities, or high IQs. It is their job in these settings to work with teachers to help draw up plans to make sure the children are receiving the maximum benefits of their education, and that the teachers know how to properly teach them.
Where do child psychologists work?
Child psychologists work in schools, hospitals, mental institutions and in their own office as a private practitioner. They are regular fixtures in family court as well for their expertise in dealing with family issues like divorce and custodial issues.
What educational requirements and training are involved in becoming a child psychologist?
It takes many long years of study, intensive internship and certification to professionally practice as a child psychologist. Aside from a college degree, someone who wants to be in this field must have a master’s degree as well as a doctorate degree. Working with troubled children and helping them through their problems might be your calling in life. Completing all of the educational requirements can be tough. Having a bachelor’s degree in psychology will be really helpful in your journey as you can look for several online accredited master’s degree programs. Once you have achieved your master’s degree you can decide whether or not you want to further your education and seek your doctorate degree, or work with only your master’s degree. Continue reading below to see the requirements, job highlights, and salary of a child psychologist.
Is certification required to practice in all states?
The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) states that before certification can be obtained you must complete a two to three year internship with at least one to one and a half years under strict supervision of another psychologist. You must spend at least one year of this time working with children and adolescents. Once your internship is completed you will be eligible to take your examination to become certified as a child psychologist. This is a very hard examination that is part oral. You will only need certification to practice as a licensed child psychologist as your regular licensure covers child psychology as well. You will, of course, take your state license exam after you have completed your program to be a psychologist.
What professional prospects await a child psychologist?
There is always a demand for a capable and qualified child psychologist. With the growing number of children and teens experiencing issues outside of their control, the profession is expected to grow as much as 15% per year until 2016. This growth is very much influenced by the demand for jobs in the child services in the United States. The more experience someone has in this field, the more opportunities will arise to practice professionally.
What do child psychologists' salaries look like?
Child psychologist salaries will vary depending on where they decide to work. The average salary is $82,320 for clinical settings; this is not to be expected for school psychologists though. The average school psychologist makes much less—around $65,000 per year. Remember psychologist salaries have many variables such as length of education, years of work experience, and whether or not you are in a private practice, hospital or school setting.
Child psychologists are needed throughout America as the population continues to grow. While no one ever hopes to care for children with problems, this job can be rewarding and fulfilling. Not only will you make a difference in a child’s life, but you might form life long bonds.