Are you interested in child health care? do you want to study further after successfully getting your Psychologist degree?
Then, you can take a look at what it takes to become a child Psychologist.
After our article on How to Become a Psychologist – Career Path, Salary and Job Description. we got numerous queries on how to become a child Psychologist. so we are here to answer your questions.
It’s common to see Psychologists who treat adults. What if I told you that sometimes, children go psycho. And when they do, who attends to them?
A child Psychologist.
Therefore, if you have a passion for kids and medicine, then you should be thinking of how to become a child Psychologist to help them when those nuts go off. (pardon my language)
In this piece, we have articulated key strategies and steps to becoming a pediatric Psychologist.
Now, whether you’re studying abroad or in your country of residency, the same principle applies.
Table of Content
- Who is a Child Psychologist?
- What Does a Psychologist do?
- What are the Requirements to Become a Child Psychologist?
- How Do I Become a Pediatric Psychologist?
- Where Does a Child Psychologist Work?
- What are the Career Opportunities Available for a Child Psychologist?
- What’s the Salary Structure of a Child Psychologist?
- How to Become a child psychiatric nurse
- What does it mean to be a child or Adolescent psychiatric nurse.
- What are the Educational Requirements to Become A child psychilatric Nurse?
- What are the Skills needed to become A Child Psychiatric Nurse?
- Conclusion:
- References
Who is a Child Psychologist?
Although many refer to them also as pediatric Psychologists, both names can be used interchangeably.
They train a Pediatric Psychologist to be a medical doctor who identifies psychological problems in children and adolescents.
Also, in a branch of child care medicine, a child Psychologist tends to a child who has mental issues whether acquired or congenital.
Such disorders include; anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia.
It’s in their job description to work with patients who display depression or antisocial symptoms and behaviors.
Also, they attend to patients who were born with pre-existing conditions, such as autism or attention deficit disorder.
Furthermore, they prescribe treatment plans using psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, hospitalization, and/or medication.
Kindly note that this job can be very rewarding but emotionally difficult, depending on the patients and the issues they are working through.
Many would refer to it as an “Emotional rollercoaster kinda work’.
What Does a Psychologist do?
Although generally, their task is to restore the mental health of a patient. However, that process can be diversified. In this role, you could be:
- Carrying out psychiatric tests.
- Suggesting practical ways to stay well.
- Assessing patient’s conditions by enquiring about their thought.
- Carrying out scans and blood tests to rule out other health conditions.
- Sourcing information from GPs, relatives, or social workers about the patient.
- Recommending treatments like counseling or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Prescribing medication such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and sedatives
What are the Requirements to Become a Child Psychologist?
Just like any other profession, before you’re allowed to practice, you will be required to fulfill some criteria.
Becoming a child Psychologist goes beyond acquiring a university degree or its equivalent.
However, employability skills peculiar to this job, experience, and license is required.
In that regard, we have listed the career requirements for a pediatric Psychologist. They include;
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree
- As a Doctor of Medicine, you must specialize in Psychiatry with a focus on children.
- Also, you must have at least 4 years of residency training
- Furthermore, you must have been certified and licensed by the State medical license and board certification. In addition to this, voluntary specialty certification is an added advantage.
- Possession of the following key skill sets Communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Also, candidates must be detailed oriented, possess good judgment, empathy, and patience.
These criteria listed above set you on a good lane to becoming a child Psychologist. Kindly note that possession of one criterion without the other will delay you.
