What is a Child Psychologist?

Common questions about the field of psychology and finding the right psychologist for your child

If you type the word “psychologist” into your search engine you may find there is an extensive and albeit confusing list of different titles, definitions, and roles. When it comes to seeking support for your child, adolescent, or family, it is helpful to be aware of a few key distinctions about the field of psychology and of licensed psychologists who can support your child. If you have general questions about the difference between a psychologist, therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist check out the FAQ page here.

Whether you have a desire to become a psychologist or you are a parent seeking answers or support for your child, here are a few general things to know about child psychologists and the similarities and differences they have with other professionals in the field.

1. What is psychology? Psychology itself is the study of the brain and it’s functions. This includes how our brain impacts behavior in certain environments. Essentially, psychologists study the mind, how it works, and how it impacts behavior. As you can imagine, this covers a lot of different areas and specialties. When psychologists are attending years of schooling and completing training they can specialize in many different areas. Some may focus on research and others may focus on applied or clinical work in the field. The specialty areas may differ in how they define and/or approach the general definition of psychology, as well as the strategies they utilize. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses depending on your needs. For example, in the medical field an orthopedic surgeon and a family physician are both medical doctors, yet they specialize in different areas to support overall physical health. You would select one over the other depending on your health needs or goals. It is the same for psychology.

2. What are some labels for psychologists working with children? Some labels you may see describing psychologists who work with families and children may include child psychologist, clinical psychologist, developmental psychologist, pediatric psychologist, health services psychologist, or school psychologist. There are also many other professionals who are trained in supporting children and families, such as marriage and family therapists, child therapists, play therapists, mental health counselors, art therapists, school counselors, and social workers. While any of these psychologists and professionals may be able to provide wonderful and appropriate support for your needs, the difference typically lies in the license or degree, type of training, settings in which the professionals work, as well as their role or focus in supporting families.

3. What is a child psychologist? A child psychologist is a psychologist who has undergone extensive training to support children. Supporting and treating the development, brain, behavior, and overall well-being of children differs from that of adults. Child psychologists utilize their knowledge of treating and assessing child development, behavior, well-being, and disorders to navigate the contexts that support them. They study learning patterns, brain development, clinical presentations in young children, and environmental factors that can affect children from infancy to adulthood. A child psychologist may focus on the assessment of child development or symptoms, treatment of childhood disorders or mental health (often referred to as therapy), or a combination of both. Child psychologists may work with the child individually, however typically will incorporate many helpful caregivers, including family, teachers, or other providers to support the goals you have for your child/adolescent/family. Child psychologists generally work with children from birth to age 21.

4. Why do some psychologists who work with children have different titles? Clinical, school, child, pediatric, health services, and developmental psychologists must become licensed and/or certified to practice in a state. State licenses ensure that a psychologist is competent to provide care to you and your family, keeping up to date with important and relevant research and training, as well as practicing within ethical and legal guidelines. Each state and country may have different guidelines on how psychologists can identify themselves and what specialties they may use to describe their work. Therefore, some psychologists may describe themselves as “child psychologists,” or “clinical psychologists who specialize in treating children,” or simply “licensed psychologist.” In the state of North Carolina, they follow a generalist approach meaning that you will see a psychologist labeled as a “licensed psychologist.” Different labels could describe that specific psychologist’s role in a work setting or specialty with certain presenting concerns.

5. What are common areas that child psychologists treat? Psychologists who specialize in children and adolescents may treat, assess, or diagnose common concerns presenting in early development, such as Neurodevelopmental Disorders, including Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disorders, and/or Language Disorders. They may also help children build coping strategies for trauma, anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior or mood, and/or eating or feeding disorders. Child psychologists may also support children and families navigating difficult transitions such as separation, divorce, co-parenting, chronic health concerns, school difficulties, adolescence, loss of a loved one, etc. They can also provide psychoeducation and help you or your child/adolescent learn about emotions, symptoms, and find ways to improve communication with supportive loved ones. While these are some common treatment areas, child psychologists can specialize in diagnosing or treating a wide range of concerns that may present during a child or adolescent’s developing years.

6. Can a child psychologist treat parents or adults? Psychologists who specialize in supporting children and adolescents are also experts in supporting the environmental factors surrounding the child, which includes parents and caregivers. While many child psychologists may support parents in the context of benefitting the child and their needs, they may also have specialties in treating other areas impacting adults from this perspective. As mentioned, psychological practice is guided by ethical principals and it is important that a psychologist is practicing within their area of specialty, as well as not engaging in potentially harmful multiple relationships. If the child psychologist is able to support your concerns within the context of the child, they may include it as part of therapy goals. If you would like individualized support, a child psychologist can provide you with referrals or recommendations for a psychologist who specializes in adult care. If you are not sure about the psychologist’s role with your treatment, ask them directly.

7. How can I find a psychologist who will help my child? Ethically and legally, psychologists are held to a high standard to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals they work with. A great place to start with finding a psychologist who may be a good fit for your child’s needs is talking to their current providers or school. Pediatricians, family physicians, teachers, school counselors, or school psychologists may have helpful referrals in the community and at minimum, can have helpful perspectives in your area of concern if you are looking for support. You can also search the internet or directories for psychologists by typing in “child psychologist” or other key words that can help tailor results, such as “child psychologist treating ADHD in my area.” If you prefer to use insurance, you can also ask for a list of in-network providers or ask about your out-0f-network benefits for mental health. As mentioned, there are many providers with different specialties, so it is okay to be as specific as you would like in these searches. Accessibility to psychologists may differ depending on geographical location.

8. What are questions to ask a psychologist? Being clear about your concerns or goals is helpful and you should ask about what the psychologist specializes in treating. It is important to ask about their training, approach to treatment, role the family has in treatment, as well as the knowledge or history the psychologist has treating your specific concerns. These are common questions psychologists hear, so if it is not clear on their website, you can ask. Finding a good psychologist to support your child, adolescent, or family is all about finding the right fit. If you are unsure about your child’s needs or goals, that is okay. Communicate your concerns or needs with the professional and ask questions that you feel will help you understand fully about their role, specialty, and the treatment. Your right as a parent is to be informed fully about the treatment, as well as the psychologist who is providing treatment or assessment.

9. How can I describe the role of a child psychologist to my child? Research supports the importance of open and honest communication with children and adolescents. You can do so by providing clear developmentally appropriate facts. Some ways you can describe a psychologist are by their role, such as “a doctor who studies the brain or {symptom},” or simply describe it based on what you know about your child or presenting concerns, such as “we are going to meet Dr. Joy who is going to help you feel less worried about going to school.” Ultimately, you know your child best. If you have concerns about your child’s adjustment and/or openness to meeting with a psychologist, talk directly with the psychologist about your concerns, specific details of the space, and other tips that can help reduce your child’s anticipatory worry.

Have questions about Child Psychologists or Behind the Behavior Psychology? Looking to schedule an appointment? Contact Dr. Bobal today!