Career Options for Those with a Degree in Child Psychology

---

There are many opportunities for employment in Child Psychology. Anyone with a Master’s or a Doctorate degree in this field will have an array of field choices. Here are some of the career choices that can be in high demand and suited for the individual professional in Child Psychology:

Child Psychologist Career Choices

Child Psychology: A child psychologist has many areas in which to choose. These settings can include schools, hospitals, clinics, or research.

School Psychologist: A school psychologist has many duties related to working with children in a school setting. They will not only help children with counseling, but can also be called upon to administer tests for students who are reported by teachers and staff as having learning disabilities. The school psychologist can also work with teachers on developing a behavior plan for students with behavioral issues. The goal of the School Psychologist is to help children succeed in school academically as well as socially and emotionally.

Developmental Psychologist: A Developmental Child Psychologist is usually interested in studying how a child grows and adapts to the world around him or her. They research how a child grows in the areas of language, perception, social development, peer interaction, and behavior issues. The trained Child Psychologist will be able to do testing on children to identify any possible developmental delays and form a plan of action if the child needs help at home or at school.

Family Therapist: The Family Therapist will be trained to deal with family issues that affect children in the home. They can work with children who have mental illness such as cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral issues. The therapist may work one-on-one with the child if he or she is old enough, or will work with the family as a whole to help them cope with the problem child.

Clinical Careers: In order to work in a clinic as a Child Development Psychologist, one must have a Ph.D. in Psychology and have passed the state licensing test. When it comes to working specifically with children, the Psychologist will diagnose and treat any type of mental illness such as depression, behavioral issues, social issues, bipolar diagnosis, or ADHD. Families can get involved in the treatment program and learn different ways of handling difficult situations within the family unit.

Art Therapist: Using art with children is a unique way of trying to get children to open up and talk to the therapist about any problems they are having. Many children come from dysfunctional homes or have in some way been traumatized and afraid to talk about it. The Art Therapist is trained to use art as a form of expression for children when they are reluctant to open up about their feelings. The art therapist then takes the drawing and evaluates it for clues as to what the child is thinking and feeling at the moment.

Social Worker: The Social Worker acts as a child advocate. They often evaluate the home dynamics and report any dysfunctional behaviors within the home. The Social Worker will help families seek help outside the home such as applying for food stamps or Medicaid, applying for Social Security benefits, looking for a food pantry, or find proper shelter for children. The Social Worker is also responsible for making sure that the children under their care are safe and happy in his or her environment. Any suspicion of child abuse or neglect must be reported and the child put in a foster home or a safe place to live. Ultimately, the Social Worker is a child advocate and responsible for making sure a child is well take care of and in a place of safety. Any mental illness of the child will be taken in consideration and the Social Worker can help children find helpful resources within the community.

Other Child Psychologist Career Options: There is a wide array of opportunities for a Child Development Psychologist to look into. Many have a Ph.D. and work with research of child growth and behavior. The Child Psychologist will also have an opportunity to work in a college or university as a professor. There are some careers that can be obtained with just a B.S. degree such as a social work, counseling, and education. They may also work as an assistant in a clinic.

There are many factors that go into looking for a career as a Child Developmental Psychologist. The better trained an individual is, the better the options. Having a Master’s or Psy.D. is also a factor in the type of job a candidate is looking for. Getting a state license is also crucial to work in this career.