One wouldn’t want to take their child to a psychologist who will never understand what runs through the mind of the young one. Hence, someone who specializes in treating minors for the various mental and emotional needs would be summoned- A child psychologist to the call.
Credentials
As a child psychologist, the role and responsibilities to be played are large. No guess games can be allowed at any given point of time, especially when the young mind is full of storm and needs help. Child psychologists therefore should have the right ‘medical degree’ to begin with. Professionals with high expertise in child psychology should have cleared all ‘state medical boards and exams’, and should also have specialized in child psychiatry.
Do your homework
- While studying and interning, take notes and plan your coursework accordingly. This would also mean choosing the right mentors to work with, and preparing yourself to expand with higher education.
- Check what the staff and alumni of the medical school have to say about its success rates, placements and internships, the course duration and fees, study material, on the job training and more.
Understand your niche
As a child psychologist, there would be a lot to handle. Children aren’t able to explain as much as what adults can, hence their actions need to be studied, and research for the same should be done. There are specific behavioral patterns displayed, which brings about solutions for the child’s better development ahead.
Coordinate with social services groups
Child psychologists are expected to stay in tune and in touch with social services, in a controlled environment. This is especially when cases of emotional instability are seen around, substance abuse issues, broken homes, homicide cases and more are to be dealt with. As a professional, the job is to make the child stay safe and far away from any psychological harm, which with the help of social service groups would be possible.
Be unbiased when counselling
Be a child when talking to understand the child’s mind; get in their shoes or act their age at times. This would help the child open up soon and connect with you, trust and pour out their feelings too. A child may go through a lot, which he/she may or may not tell the world and their parents about. It is up to you to build the trust with them, and ensure that proper help comes to the child on time without breaking their TRUST.
What you resist will persist
Never judge the child for something wrong they have done; they would do it again as an act of defiance. Rather, speak to the child and understand where they come from, and the reason why they acted in such a way. This would bring about clarity, and the child knows that there is someone he/she can trust, who would listen to them too.
Listening and counseling are for the heart, which is what child psychology is all about. As a parent, one would need to have the best for their kids, which is why you as a child psychologist should be their preference in times of need.
Leave a Reply