At a general level, most people are not very clear about what exactly psychologists who specialize in treating patients in their practice do. Therefore, it is not surprising that, in general, there is even less knowledge about what a more specific area of applied psychology consists of: the work of child psychologists.
This is normal, no one is born knowing and there is no reason why all people should know, by the mere fact of existing, what child psychology professionals do. However, taking into account that the mental health and emotional well-being of children are very important aspects for them to develop correctly, it is interesting to know even the basic aspects of this branch of psychology.
Therefore, in this article We will see what the functions of the child psychologist are how it can help children and families, and the way in which this professional area works.
The first thing to keep in mind to understand what child psychology is is that it is not a hermetically closed scientific field or clearly differentiated from the rest of the branches of psychology, with which it would barely touch. Rather, it is an area of work that overlaps with many other areas of psychology and focuses on the needs and characteristics of boys and girls.
This means, among other things, that in child psychology there are one facet oriented towards research into the behavior and psychological processes of children, and another oriented towards applied psychology in helping children and families with children, as well as entities that work with them (typically, schools).
In both work spaces, these professionals collaborate with other types of psychologists to build theoretical-practical knowledge; After all, you don’t learn about childhood without learning about human beings in general, and vice versa. Of course, in practice, when talking about child psychologists it is done referring to those who are dedicated to this second field, the applied one.
But there is not only an overlap in the type of work that needs to be done. There is also a thematic overlap, in terms of the contents with which we work. Thus, among the main functions of a child psychologist are knowing areas of knowledge such as the maturation process of the nervous system during childhood, the different forms of learning, family dynamics and parenting and education styles, the expression of psychological and neurological disorders. and psychiatric in boys and girls, and more. All of these contents, in turn, are addressed by other areas of psychology: developmental psychology, clinical and health psychology, educational psychology, etc.
In conclusion, child psychologists are dedicated to working in a part of reality focused on the experiences that the little ones go through, and that intersect with the fields of study and intervention of other psychology specializations.
The functions of the child psychologist
These are the main tasks that child psychologists address on a daily basis, although there are different sub-sections of specialization.
Child and adolescent therapy is one of the most important areas of work in child psychology, since in it Helping boys and girls in situations of special vulnerability
2. Educational advice
Also It is common for child psychologists to collaborate with educational centers to help them develop effective ways of educating, adapt to the needs of students with a diagnosis linked to their cognitive abilities or behavioral patterns, and solve specific problems.
3. Family therapy
In some cases, The problem to be solved is in the way in which problematic behaviors have become chronic in the way family members relate Therefore, among the functions of child psychologists is to participate in helping these families with problems and with one or more sons or daughters who are only a few years old.
4. Child neuropsychology
It is possible that due to acquired damage or diseases of genetic cause, alterations in the functioning of the Central Nervous System of boys and girls To meet their needs and promote their rehabilitation, child psychologists and neuropsychologists intervene.
5. Research
As we have seen, experts in child psychology can also dedicate themselves to research, publishing in scientific journals.
Are you looking for professional support from expert childhood psychologists?
If you are interested in having the help of child psychologists in areas such as education, the treatment of emotional or behavioral disorders or counseling families, we invite you to contact us, the Cribecca psychology center
In our facilities located in the city of Seville, you will be assisted by a team of professionals with solid experience in child, adolescent and adult therapy, working from the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, one of the most effective and scientifically proven. If you are interested in seeing our contact information, click here.
