Child and adolescent therapy uses methods and tools that are effective in treating children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. It is a type of psychological intervention that aims to enhance the emotional and social well-being of patients of these ages.
As we explain in our article “Children’s therapy: what it is and what are its benefits”, child and youth therapy differs from therapy with adults not so much in the objective of the interventions but in its methodology. For example, using a therapeutic approach known as play therapy.
These differences mean that psychologists must specialize in this area of psychotherapy to carry out effective diagnoses and interventions. Luckily, there are different training alternatives that aim to train therapists so that they can become experts in child and adolescent therapy.
But, What are the best training actions in child and youth therapy? In the following lines you will find a ranking with the best courses in this specialty of psychological therapy.
1. Postgraduate in Child Psychology (Mediterranean School of Psychology)
The Postgraduate Degree in Child Psychology offered by the Mediterranean School of Psychology It is especially aimed at any psychologist who wants to become a true professional in this area of intervention, an area that currently has a high demand for offers in the labor market.
With this postgraduate degree you will be able to train yourself to identify, prevent and treat any alteration in mental health during childhood, thanks to an extensive syllabus of 2 very extensive modules in which you will work on both theoretical and practical content.
This postgraduate course is offered online, has a duration of 600 hours of work, its total price is €695 and your participation will allow you to access the job board of the Mediterranean School of Psychology.
2. Bases of Child Neuropsychology (Íthaca Training)
The course “Bases of Child Neuropsychology” by Ithaca Training It consists of 10 hours of online training with flexible schedules so that each student can learn the main theoretical-practical content necessary to become professionals in Child Neuropsychology.
Some of the essential contents of the course are, in addition to the bases of Child Neuropsychology, the evolution and conformation of the child brain, the different most common childhood disorders in Neuropsychology, their evaluation and the different intervention techniques and tools.
The course is taught by Professor Iban Onandia Hinchado, Doctor in Clinical and Health Psychology, and Master in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies.
3. Expert in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology (Jaume I University)
This training program, taught by the Jaume I University of Castellón, provides rigorous and scientific knowledge on child and adolescent therapy. It is aimed at those clinical psychologists who wish to acquire the necessary functional skills to be able to intervene effectively in children, adolescents and their families.
Its program is eminently practical, and addresses all the psychological, relational and social problems that appear most frequently at these ages. In recent times, clinical consultations related to child and adolescent mental health problems have increased, so it is necessary to have specialized professionals who have the knowledge and practice necessary to address these problems in the most effective way..
4. Advanced course on bullying (European Institute Campus Stellae. IESC)
Bullying is a phenomenon that is frequently talked about in the media under the name of bullying This problem is real and serious, and brings with it many psychological consequences for the victims of these abuses. In this sense, the figure of the child psychologist has great importance in both the prevention, evaluation and intervention of this phenomenon.
Psychologists who wish to specialize in combating this phenomenon can opt for the IESC’s “Superior School Bullying Course,” which provides great knowledge and practical skills to its students. Participants can do internships in different renowned institutions, such as the Federal Executive Commission of the PSOE, the UN Women Italian Committee, and the Sustainable Development Foundation (FUNDESO).
5. Certificate in Attention Disorders (ADHD): Identification, Evaluation and Treatment (University of Valencia)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that has a prevalence of between 5% and 10% of children and adolescents. There are several types as we explain in our article “Types of ADHD (characteristics, causes and symptoms)”.
Specializing in this disorder is key to being able to make a good diagnosis and treatment, because it is usually a complex phenomenon. The University of Valencia offers a training certificate for all those Graduates in Psychology Psychopedagogy and Education who want to delve deeper into this disorder and thus be able to intervene with the maximum guarantees.
6. II International Course on Clinical Child Psychology (AEPC)
The Spanish Association of Behavioral Psychology (AEPC) in Cantabria offers the possibility of pursuing a specialization degree in Clinical Child Psychology. This training is recognized as being of health interest by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria, and has accreditation as a continuing training activity for health professions from the same institution.
The course is taught by a large group of experts in this field. Students delve into advances in evaluation and intervention in child psychotherapy and put into practice different techniques and tools that will help their patients achieve well-being. Without a doubt, a very useful training to acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge in this specialty.
