A psychologist is a doctor trained in behavioral patterns and human behavior. He or she may also be a therapist or counselor.
Psychologists typically conduct a number of tests to help diagnose mental health or learning disorders. They can also work with a child and his or her parents to create an individualized education program (IEP) that allows the child to succeed in school.
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Difference Between a Psychotherapist and a Child Psychologist
Child Psychology is a field of psychology that deals with the mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs of children Marriage Psychologist Sutherland Shire. These specialists often work in hospitals, schools, and private practices.
Career Path
To become a psychologist, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Some graduate programs in clinical psychology require a doctorate, either a Ph.D. or Psy.D. You can also earn a certificate in child psychology to further your credentials and show experience working with kids.
Certification and Licensing
After you earn your doctorate, you must undergo a period of supervised practice in order to gain your license to practice. This may take place in your final year of school or after you’ve completed your dissertation.
You can specialize in a particular field of study, such as child and adolescent psychology or clinical child and family psychiatry. Other areas of interest include social and behavioral development, learning disabilities, trauma and childhood developmental disorders.
Generally, child psychologists focus on the mental health and behavioral problems of infants, toddlers and children up to age 18. Their work involves assessing the impact of mental illnesses, such as autism or ADHD, on their developmental processes. They study how the family and school environment affects their progress and seek to understand how they can best support them.