How To Become A Child Psychologist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a child psychologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Christopher Robinson

A child psychologist is a psychologist who specializes in treating children with mental health issues. Although childhood is supposed to be a carefree time, many children cope with serious stress such as abuse, divorce, or developmental disorders that they were born with. Child psychologists conduct tests to diagnose children with mental health conditions. They use a variety of treatments to help children work through their issues and develop normally, from talk therapy to play therapy.

Unlike child psychiatrists, child psychologists usually cannot prescribe medication to their patients. However, they can refer their patients to a psychiatrist if they believe that medication is necessary.

The minimum education requirement for a child psychologist is a doctorate in clinical psychology. They will also need to be licensed by their state before they can practice. Once they are able to work, child psychologists earn an average salary of $66,164 a year.

What general advice would you give to a child psychologist?

Dr. Christopher Robinson

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Psychology Program Coordinator

Psychology at its best can talk about how people are and about how we are now. We live in an ever more connected and yet fragmented world. Psychological research has been used to help us understand how different cultures approach the world, and also how changes in technology are effecting us. For example, a lot of good research is suggesting that our phones are destroying our ability to concentrate. If I had one piece of advice it would be to turn off as many notifications as you can.

We live in a world where information is ever more accessible, and other cultures are easy to learn about. A degree in psychology will help you organize and evaluate the information you are exposed to.

We also live in a world with an aging population, and there will be a need for psychologists to assess individuals, research new treatments, and work with individuals to help them maintain social and intellectual functioning.

There are good job prospects for people who become competent and eloquent in their psychological training, and this training also helps set up for advanced education.

ScoreChild PsychologistUS Average

Salary

6.2

Avg. Salary $78,743

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 14%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.20%

Asian 3.34%

Black or African American 6.18%

Hispanic or Latino 10.44%

Unknown 3.44%

White 76.39%

Gender

female 70.53%

male 29.47%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a child psychologist

Explore child psychologist education requirements

Most common child psychologist degrees

Bachelor's

55.1 %

Master's

20.5 %

Doctorate

20.5 %

Start to develop specific child psychologist skills

Skills	Percentages
Autism	30.50%
Mental Health	10.67%
Family Therapy	8.71%
Substance Abuse	8.13%
Psychological Tests	7.99%

Complete relevant child psychologist training and internships

we determined that most successful child psychologists start their career with internships. These can be paid or unpaid. The main purpose of an internship is to give the intern valuable real-world experience.

Research child psychologist duties and responsibilities

Provide psychological therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder, deficit/hyperactive disorder, specific learning disorder and others mental diagnosis.
Provide consultation regarding appropriate placement/treatment of juveniles in the DJJ system.

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