Being a psychologist has many facets and there are so many varieties of them. While researching this blog I found out some very cool things about this field. But let’s start with the basics…
Clinical psychology is concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. While some professionals in this field often work in medical settings, clinical psychologists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medications in most states. Just an FYI.
When you are looking for something specific it is important to be clear with your needs and make sure you are going to the right person the first time. With all the current waiting lists and delays in receiving services the last thing you want to do is wait for months and only then find out that you cannot get your mental health needs met like you thought you could.
The first thing to know is how a psychologist is licensed. There are two ways one becomes a psychologist. The traditional Ph.D. in Psychology (or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) emphasizes the role of research and science. The Psy.D. degree (Doctor of Psychology) is primarily focused on clinical and practitioner work. Psy.D. programs are attractive to many students because they typically take a year less time to complete than a Ph.D. On the other hand, Ph.D. programs tend to provide better funding for graduate students.
A child psychologist specializes in the development of children
A child psychologist is someone who has a special niche with this certain age group. “Child psychologists are a type of psychologist who studies the mental, social and emotional development of children. Typically, child psychologists look at development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Some of the major topics of interest in this field of psychology include genetics, language development, personality, gender roles, cognitive development, sexual development, and social growth.
Child psychologists may work with a range of clients including infants, toddlers, children, and teens or they may specialize in working with a particular age group. No matter what population a child psychologist chooses, his or her focus will be on helping understand, prevent, diagnose and treat developmental, cognitive, social and emotional issues.”
They can administer and read psychological tests, conduct research on child development, diagnosis and treat developmental and learning disabilities, work with a healthcare team or school to develop a treatment plan, and work with a client to manage behavioral issues.
There are different work environments for child psychologists as well. “Child psychologists may be employed in a variety of settings including schools, courts, hospitals and mental health clinics. Those employed in school settings often diagnose learning disorders, counsel students, conduct assessments and work with families to help students cope with academic problems, social issues or disabilities.
Some individuals may work in court settings to help young clients who have come into contact with the criminal justice system, help prepare children to testify in court, or work with children in the middle of child custody disputes.
Child psychologists who work in hospitals or private mental health offices often work directly with clients and families to overcome or cope with psychological illnesses. These professionals evaluate clients, diagnose mental disorders, administer psychological tests and conduct therapy sessions among other things.”
15 million American youth need support with a mental health disorder
I want to share some important facts and figures about child psychologists and how they help our children.
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports an estimated 15 million American youth can currently be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. But a majority of these young people never receive appropriate help from qualified mental health professionals.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and behavior disorders are among the most common mental health conditions that can be diagnosed during childhood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list. Consider the following estimates:
- 9.8% approx. 6 million youth, ages 3–17, have received an ADHD diagnosis
- 8.9 % approx. 5.5 million youth, ages 3–17, have a diagnosed behavior problem
- 9.4% approx. 5.8 million youth, ages 3–17, have diagnosed anxiety
These numbers, both the CDC and APA note, are more pronounced among children and youth living in low-income communities. The CDC reports that more than one in five children who live below the federal poverty level have received a diagnosis of a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder.
A psychologist can be a mental health advocate
Child mental health care advocates maintain that all young people have the right to health and happiness. Children, they say, deserve access to effective care to prevent or treat any mental health problems they may develop.
It’s also worth noting that mental health disorders aren’t the sole driver behind parents and guardians seeking a child psychologist’s help. Clinical child psychologists treat a wide range of interrelated issues young people experience. These can include biological vulnerabilities, emotional and developmental problems, cognitive deficits, trauma and loss, health-related problems and stress.
Most child psychologists I work with are in the educational and emotional field. I send students to them that need diagnostic evaluations of learning disorders or other psychological testing. I refer clients who are experiencing emotional crisis or have expressed suicidal ideation. They can be evaluated quickly and referrals can be made or facilities found for additional treatment.
The UMASS global website states that, “A child psychologist career requires a unique blend of hard and soft skills. The technical knowledge and procedures required for the job must be complemented by strong emotional intelligence.
The APA identifies the following methods and skills as essential for child psychologists:
- Assessment (e.g., psychological, intellectual, cognitive and behavioral testing and evaluation)
- Intervention (e.g., psychotherapy and behavior management)
- Development of prevention programs (e.g., bullying, addictions, teen pregnancy, obesity)
- Consultation with other professionals working with children
- Design and utilization of research
In addition to these the proficiencies, the website also says that in addition to the previously mentioned needs, the best child psychologists often possess the following qualities:
- Written and oral communication
- Trustworthiness
- Empathy
- Problem-solving