Becoming a Child Psychologist

[frontbluntt101]

To become a child (clinical) psychologist, does one need to get a phd in clinical child psych, or is it possible to get a psyd in clinical and then somehow specialize in children?

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[AcronymAllergy]

For licensing purposes, the PhD and PsyD degrees are equivalent (assuming both are from APA accredited programs).

You aren't licensed as a child or adult psychologist; you're simply licensed as a psychologist, and it's your responsibility to ensure that your training has made you competent to practice with particular populations (e.g., children), conditions (e.g., phobias, substance abuse), specialties (e.g., neuropsychology, forensic psychology), etc.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

For licensing purposes, the PhD and PsyD degrees are equivalent (assuming both are from APA accredited programs).

You aren't licensed as a child or adult psychologist; you're simply licensed as a psychologist, and it's your responsibility to ensure that your training has made you competent to practice with particular populations (e.g., children), conditions (e.g., phobias, substance abuse), specialties (e.g., neuropsychology, forensic psychology), etc.

To add to that, grad programs tend to do things a few different ways. My program had a few different specializations (child, neuropsych, other stuff) and you picked one once you got there. Other programs had 2 very different paths for child vs adult and you were accepted to one path or another.

If this is a career you are really considering, I would urge you to go to a program that will allow you to market yourself as a pediatric psychologist (more medically focused) and not just a child psychologist. It will increase your employment opportunities dramatically (and lack of employment opportunities is a huge issue for psychologists).

Best,
Dr. E

 

[frontbluntt101]

For licensing purposes, the PhD and PsyD degrees are equivalent (assuming both are from APA accredited programs).

You aren't licensed as a child or adult psychologist; you're simply licensed as a psychologist, and it's your responsibility to ensure that your training has made you competent to practice with particular populations (e.g., children), conditions (e.g., phobias, substance abuse), specialties (e.g., neuropsychology, forensic psychology), etc.

So once you are licensed, whether by PhD or PsyD, you can choose who you want to specialize in with no restrictions?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

So once you are licensed, whether by PhD or PsyD, you can choose who you want to specialize in with no restrictions?

There are issues of scope of practice (what you are doing) and competency (do you know how to do it). There are some states that restrict calling yourself "neuropsychologist" and I think (?) "school psychologist", though most states just limit the ability to use the title of "psychologist". Unfortunately there are a couple/few states that do not. Also, the court system can limit your ability to testify as an expert.

Periodically there are surveys done by the APA (a national associations for psychologists) and also speciality boards (for practice in specific areas of psychology) that talk about what % of clinicians work with only adults, only children, both, etc. If I remember correctly, a minority % of clinicians actually practice with both children and adults. So while you are licensed to practice as a psychologist, most clinicians don't receive a ton of training in both, and most do not regularly see both age groups.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Adding to my previous post, it is worth noting that many therapists I know who are later in their career saw children earlier in their career, but now restrict their practice to adults only due to logistical issues. If you are working in a private practice (non-salaried) position, seeing kids increases cancellations and no shows (i.e., unpaid hours) and results in significant amounts of uncompensated time (e.g., contacting teachers). The other issue is the frustration/drain on the therapist of working with patients who have limited control over their own destiny. It is heart-breaking when you see a kid who really needs help but parents fail to continue with treatment. Or when parents are actively undemining treatment.

Sorry I'm going on, but just had an interesting conversation with a colleague on this topic today. We both see about 1/3 children in private practice and were discussing why we'd not want to see 100% kids.

Good luck,
Dr. E

 

[frontbluntt101]

So while getting, say, a PsyD, can you choose to receive more training in certain areas (i.e., pick certain courses)? I thought you couldn't pick and choose different courses in grad school.

 

[coldsweat]

Although it sounds obvious, even when you enter the field of child psychology, you often spend a large time working with adults. I'm currently doing my practicum in a public school, so in addition to modifying the behavior of children, I'm also often modifying the behavior of teachers. My program emphasizes training in consultation and system-level work, and as a result I'd estimate that I spend one-half of my time working with adults. When I entered the field, I didn't expect to work with adults as frequently as I do, and although sometimes I'd rather spend more time with kids, by working with adults I feel that I make a more durable change in children's behavior by improving their environment.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

So while getting, say, a PsyD, can you choose to receive more training in certain areas (i.e., pick certain courses)? I thought you couldn't pick and choose different courses in grad school.

You can't necessarily pick and choose a wide variety of classes per se (although there is some room for choice, depending on the program). However, most of your training is going to come from practicum placements (i.e., supervised field work) and research experiences. Those are the areas where you can really start to choose where and with whom you'd like to work. Although keep in mind that all psychologists should have at least some degree of generalist experience before/while gaining specialty training.

 

[erg923]

I thought you couldn't pick and choose different courses in grad school.

why?