What Does a Child Psychologist Do?

Child psychology is a specialized field of mental health that focuses on understanding, assessing, and treating the psychological, emotional, social, and behavioral issues of children and adolescents. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what child psychologists do, their qualifications, and the range of services they offer.

Child psychologists are highly educated professionals, typically holding doctoral degrees with specialized training in child development and pediatric psychology. They work in various settings, including private practices, schools, hospitals, and research institutions, addressing a wide array of issues from developmental delays and learning disabilities to anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Among Canada’s esteemed child psychologists, Marcia Buhler stands out as a dedicated professional with over two decades of experience in counseling children and parents. As a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a Certified Peaceful Parenting Coach, Marcia brings a wealth of knowledge and specialized training to her practice in Canada. Her approach, deeply rooted in attachment theory and neurobiology, aligns perfectly with the evidence-based methods favored in Canadian child psychology. 

Marcia’s extensive training in programs such as Circle of Security Parenting and Child Parent Relationship Training equips her to address the unique challenges faced by Canadian families. Her gentle, attuned counseling style creates a safe space for both children and parents, fostering healing and growth. With her background in clinical education within Alberta Health Services and her experience as a conference speaker, Marcia Buhler exemplifies the high standards of child psychology practice in Canada, offering families across the country expert guidance in nurturing healthy, vibrant relationships.

The article explores the differences between child therapists and child psychologists, helping parents understand which professional might be most suitable for their child’s needs. It also details the conditions that child psychologists treat, signs that might indicate a child could benefit from psychological support, and the path to becoming a child psychologist.

What is a child psychologist?

A child psychologist is a mental health professional who specializes in understanding, assessing, and treating the psychological, emotional, social, and behavioral issues of children and adolescents. Here’s a concise overview:

  1. Specialization: Child psychologists focus on the unique developmental needs of young people from infancy through adolescence.
  2. Education: They typically hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology with specialized training in child development and pediatric psychology.
  3. Services: Child psychologists provide various services including:
    • Psychological evaluations
    • Diagnosis of mental health disorders
    • Therapy and counseling
    • Behavioral interventions
    • Consultation with parents, schools, and other professionals
  4. Areas of focus: They address issues such as:
    • Developmental delays
    • Learning disabilities
    • Anxiety and depression
    • Behavioral problems
    • Trauma and abuse
    • Family conflicts
    • Social skills difficulties
  5. Work settings: Child psychologists may work in various settings including private practices, schools, hospitals, clinics, and research institutions.
  6. Collaboration: They often work as part of a team, collaborating with parents, teachers, pediatricians, and other professionals to support a child’s well-being.

What Do Child Psychologists Do?

Child psychologists employ a diverse range of techniques and skills in their work with children and adolescents, including:

  • Conducting assessments of psychological, intellectual, cognitive, and behavioral issues through testing and evaluation.
  • Implementing interventions such as psychotherapy (talk therapy) and behavior management strategies.
  • Creating prevention programs targeting issues like bullying, addiction, and teen pregnancy.
  • Collaborating with other professionals and healthcare providers who work with children.
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Child psychologists often play a crucial role in the comprehensive care of children with medical conditions, assisting with issues like sleep difficulties, chronic pain management, or coping with long-term illnesses.

The approach to treating emotional, mental, and behavioral conditions in children differs from adult treatment due to variations in age, cognitive development, and maturity levels. As a result, child psychologists may employ various therapy techniques based on a child’s age and specific situation. Depending on the child’s age and needs, psychologists might work exclusively with parents or guardians to enhance parenting skills or address behavioral concerns.

These therapeutic approaches include:

  • Art therapy 
  • Behavioral therapy 
  • Child-centered play therapy 
  • Child-parent relationship therapy 
  • Child anger management therapy 
  • Child trauma therapy 
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) 
  • Emotionally focused therapy 
  • Group or family therapy 
  • Music therapy 
  • Occupational therapy 
  • Parent-child interaction therapy

How Do Child Therapists and Child Psychologists Differ?

Child therapists hold a master’s degree in a mental health-related field, such as psychology, counseling psychology, or marriage and family therapy. They are qualified to assess children’s mental and behavioral health and apply therapeutic techniques, including talk therapy. Therapists typically adopt an approach that emphasizes problem-solving.

In contrast, child psychologists possess a doctoral degree (PhD) and often have extensive training in psychological research or clinical practice. Their advanced qualifications enable them to conduct a wider range of tests than therapists, aiding in the diagnosis of mental health and learning issues. These may include conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and various learning differences.

Should my child see a therapist or psychologist?

While child therapists and child psychologists share many similarities in their work, there are key differences in what they can offer your child.

Child therapists can help your child:

  • Work through difficult situations
  • Learn coping skills for managing intense emotions
  • Improve family relationships

A therapist may be suitable if your child:

  • Needs emotional support and someone to discuss feelings with
  • Is struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, or significant life changes
  • Requires help with behavior improvement and better parent-child interactions
  • Needs regular sessions without the need for medication or complex mental health treatment

However, for school accommodations or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), schools often prefer working with a psychologist.

Child psychologists can perform a broader range of tests than therapists, which can be beneficial when:

  • You need more information about the source of your child’s difficulties
  • Your child requires an IEP

A child psychologist might be more appropriate if:

  • You suspect your child has a condition affecting learning or social interaction (e.g., ADHD, learning differences, autism spectrum disorder)
  • Your child needs help managing emotional or behavioral problems
  • You’re seeking a more detailed diagnosis
  • You want to explore changes at home and school to better support your child

It’s important to note that neither child therapists nor child psychologists can prescribe medication. If your child needs medication for a complex mental health condition, they may need to see a child psychiatrist – a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

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What conditions do child psychologists treat?

Child psychologists are equipped to treat a wide array of behavioral, emotional, social, and mental health issues in children and adolescents. They also assist children in dealing with stressors related to school, family, and general life circumstances.

The conditions and situations that fall within a child psychologist’s scope of practice include:

  • Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) and child neglect
  • Anger management issues
  • Adaptation to new diagnoses or living with chronic illnesses
  • Family issues, including coping with divorce
  • Developmental and learning differences, such as ADHD, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and communication disorders
  • Disruptive behavior disorders, including conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder
  • Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder
  • Grief and loss
  • Identity and self-esteem issues, including body dysmorphic disorder and gender dysphoria
  • Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, and PTSD
  • Social interaction difficulties
  • Sleep disorders, including insomnia, nightmares, and sleep anxiety
  • Stress related to significant life changes

What Signs Indicate My Child Might Need to Consult a Child Psychologist?

Therapy serves as a crucial resource for both adults and children, offering a secure environment to address and cope with life’s challenges, whether they involve mental health issues or temporary difficulties.

As a parent, you possess the deepest understanding of your child. If you notice your child struggling with school, relationships, emotional management, behavior, or learning, seeking help from a child psychologist could be beneficial.

Consider the following situations and behaviors that might suggest your child could benefit from professional psychological support:

  • Your child is facing a significant life change or stressful situation, such as bullying, a health issue, parental divorce, or relocation to a new city or school.
  • You observe that your child’s mental, emotional, or behavioral issues are worsening rather than improving over time.
  • Your child or family has experienced a traumatic event, like a death, an accident, or abuse.
  • You notice substantial changes in your child’s personality or behavior.
  • Your child struggles to form and maintain friendships.
  • Your child’s academic performance is declining, or they frequently experience behavioral issues at school.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Someone Become a Child Psychologist?

The path to becoming a child psychologist involves several stages of education and training:

  • one must complete a four-year undergraduate program at an accredited college or university, culminating in a bachelor’s degree.
  • Aspiring child psychologists must undertake four to six years of graduate studies, leading to a doctoral degree. This can be either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a psychology-related field or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. During this phase, students receive specialized training in child psychology.
  • As part of the graduate program, candidates must complete a full-time internship lasting one year.
  • To practice, individuals must pass a national examination and additional state-specific exams in their intended location of practice.
  • Most states require an additional year of supervised practical experience before granting a license to practice as a child psychologist. Many professionals in this field opt for further post-doctoral training to specialize in specific areas.

Licensed child psychologists are required to engage in ongoing education throughout their careers. This typically involves attending conferences, conducting research, and participating in relevant classes on an annual basis.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Child Psychologist?

The duration to become a licensed child psychologist typically spans 8 to 12 years or more. This timeline can vary based on individual progress through undergraduate and doctoral programs. The process includes completing a bachelor’s degree, followed by a doctoral program. During graduate studies, a mandatory one-year full-time internship is required. Additionally, depending on the state where you intend to practice, you may need to complete an extra year of supervised practical experience.