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Child Psychologist

Child psychologists help young people who are struggling emotionally or behaviourally. They assess what's going on, talk with children about their feelings and problems, and work with families and schools to help them feel better and cope.

Child Psychologist

18

Psychology

AI IMPACT
AI EXPOSURE TODAY18
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST58%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is low on our index (18), and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

The role

As a child psychologist, you work with children and teenagers who are anxious, sad, struggling at school, or dealing with difficult experiences. You listen to them, ask careful questions to understand what's really going on, and help them find ways to feel better and deal with their challenges.

Your day might involve running therapy sessions with a young person, doing tests to understand their difficulties, meeting with parents and teachers to explain what you've found, and designing plans to help them. You work in schools, hospitals, clinics or private practice. This job can be emotionally demanding - you will hear about things that hurt children, like bullying, loss, or family problems - so you need to be calm, compassionate and resilient. You also need to be good at listening and explaining things in a way that young people understand.

Daily responsibilities

  • Conduct psychological assessments to evaluate children's emotional and behavioral issues.
  • Develop tailored therapeutic interventions and treatment plans for individual children.
  • Engage in one-on-one therapy sessions, using play therapy and other techniques to connect with young clients.
  • Collaborate with parents, teachers, and other professionals to provide comprehensive support.
  • Monitor and document client progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
  • Stay updated with the latest research and methodologies in child psychology.
  • Facilitate workshops or support groups for parents to enhance their understanding of child development.
  • Advocate for children's mental health awareness in schools and communities.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree in psychology not only meets the rigorous standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) but also provides a comprehensive understanding of the British educational and healthcare systems. This local insight is invaluable when working with children and families in the UK context.