Child Psychologist

You assess and treat children's mental health, behavioral, and developmental issues — which means you need to understand anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD as expressed by a 7-year-old who communicates primarily through drawings and tantrums. You'll use play therapy, behavioral interventions, and family sessions. Your patients can't always tell you what's wrong, so you have to figure it out from how they play, act, and respond.

What you'll actually do

• 01Conduct psychological assessments on children using age-appropriate tests, observations, and play-based techniques
• 02Provide therapy to children who express their inner world through sand trays, drawings, and the occasional thrown toy
• 03Meet with parents to explain diagnoses and treatment plans in language that's accurate without being terrifying
• 04Collaborate with schools on IEP accommodations and behavior plans for students who are struggling
• 05Write assessment reports that are thorough enough for clinical use and clear enough for parents to understand
• 06Navigate custody situations where both parents want a diagnosis that supports their version of events