Child psychologists work in various settings, treating patients or conducting research. A master’s degree is the minimum requirement, but most pursue a PhD or PsyD. They work with children with behavioral or mental issues, administer psychological assessments, and work with social workers and the court system. Developmental psychology involves researching psychological development in children.
There are numerous careers in child psychology, all of which can be very rewarding. Child psychologists may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, government institutions, or in private practices, and may treat patients or conduct research. At the absolute minimum, careers in child psychology require a master’s degree, although most child psychologists pursue a doctoral degree as a PhD or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Every child psychologist must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.
One of the most common careers in child psychology involves working directly with children who have behavioral or mental issues. A child psychologist typically works in a school or private practice and may work with children as young as 12 years old. He or she can help children struggling to cope with issues such as death or divorce in the family or children who suffer from hyperactivity, depression or anxiety. A child psychologist employs different methods than an adult psychologist, which is why a specialized degree is especially important. Each treatment needs to be tailored to the specific child, as age is a significant treatment factor.
Some child psychology careers may focus on abnormal child psychology, which is a similar profession, but may focus more on the study and treatment of long-term mood disorders, schizophrenia, psychopathology, sociopathy, or other personality disorders. Child psychologists will also need to administer psychological assessment tests to children. In addition, he or she will need to work with teachers, family members, and other health professionals when planning treatment for the child.
Child psychologists also often work with social workers and the court system to help families and children. In schools, a child psychologist can diagnose learning disorders and work with the child to improve their skills. A psychologist may also administer other tests in schools, including IQ tests.
In addition to these child psychology careers, where the psychologist will work directly with patients to treat them, another career is developmental psychology. In this field, the psychologist typically conducts research to learn about psychological development in children, including issues such as emotional and language development and human behavior as a whole. A developmental psychologist also often works with patients, although it is primarily for research purposes.
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