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How to become a Child Psychologist

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Child Psychologist jobs

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Child Psychologist courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Child Psychologist

Trainee Child Psychologist

| Up to £35,000

Child Psychologist

| Up to £45,000

Lead/Senior Child Psychologist

| Up to £90,000

The role of a Child Psychologist

What does a Child Psychologist do?

Passionate about providing children with a better future? You should become a Child Psychologist…

Child Psychologists help children and young people with a range of mental and behavioural problems – including everything from depression and anxiety, to phobias, trauma, and aggression.

Their job is to observe and analyse patients’ behaviour in age-appropriate situations (e.g. playtime activities with children, or supportive discussions with teenagers) – in order to understand their feelings, determine the route of the problem, and provide support and treatment.

Although they often see patients individually, Child Psychologists could also carry out sessions in a group – with parents or other family members. Typical tasks for a Child Psychologist could include:

Studying children’s’ actions using cognitive testing
Using their training to decipher meaning from behaviours
Offering both short-term and long-term treatment plans
Carrying out consultations and interventions
Liaising with other health and educational professionals
Attending conferences and meetings
Supervising trainees

Is a career as a Child Psychologist right for me?

First and foremost, you’ll need to be great at communicating with children of all ages. This means being able to interact with them on their level, read their signs and signals, and empathise with the wide range of problems they may be going through. And as some sessions may involve exploring painful or difficult experiences, emotional strength and objectivity will be key.

Aspiring Child Psychologists will also need to have a positive attitude, which will help build trust with even the most emotionally ambiguous children. Child Psychologists will also need to be:

Discreet
Mature
Understanding
Sensitive
Sincere
Observant

What's it like to be a Child Psychologist?

"My day-to-day involves meeting with children of all ages, and observing their behaviour and attitudes. This could include anything from watching a child draw and play, to discussing a patient’s issues with their parents. After some extensive cognitive analysis, I’ll come up with a tailored treatment plan to help them deal with the problems they’re going through. It’s not easy, and it can be difficult to watch young people explore their inner traumas, but the end result is what I always focus on. After all, you can’t come up with a solution without understanding the problem first."

Get qualified as a Child Psychologist

To become a Child Psychologist, you'll need to complete a relevant undergraduate degree, obtain postgraduate qualifications specialising in child psychology, gain clinical experience, secure accreditation from professional bodies like the British Psychological Society (BPS), and register with regulatory bodies like the HCPC. These qualifications and experiences will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. If you're new to child psychology, taking a CPD course is also a great way to learn more about the field and create a foundation of knowledge before pursuing further education.

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