Navigating life as a young person can often be complex and, at times, overwhelming, which is why child psychologists have become increasingly prominent in the past decade and play a critical role in supporting young people in society. For many, an essential part of this support involves early intervention, such as a child autism assessment, which can help identify any underlying conditions and guide appropriate treatment.
Navigating life as a young person can often be complex and, at times, overwhelming, which is why child psychologists have become increasingly prominent in the past decade and play a critical role in supporting young people in society.
In Australia, there is a growing trend of people with mental health challenges with an estimated 4.3 million Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 having been diagnosed with a mental health condition in the past year. While this number is already significant, there’s a good chance that it still doesn’t represent the full scale of the issue, with many of those, especially younger Australians, not getting the appropriate assistance they need from a qualified mental health professional.
In this HealthSync Care article, we will break down exactly what a child psychologist is, the role they play, common therapy techniques used by paediatric psychologists, when your child should visit one, and the benefits of seeking out such mental health care.
Introduction: What is a Child Psychologist?
In Australia, a psychologist is a mental health professional specifically trained in understanding and addressing the behavioural, emotional, and cognitive development of a variety of people.
A psychologist who works with children can assess, diagnose, and treat various mental health concerns. This can range from anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties and emotional disorders.
Techniques used by paediatric psychologists will vary depending on a child’s age and life stage, with the overall goal of individual treatment to help children and adolescents navigate developmental challenges, improve emotional well-being, and support healthy psychological growth. It is about building up the foundation for future well-being.
Some of the most common areas in which paediatric psychologists work are supporting neurodivergent children, adjustments to age-related challenges, mental health concerns, emotional regulation issues, and nurturing parent-child relationships.
Techniques Utilised by Paediatric (Child) Psychologists
In Australia, paediatric psychologists use an array of different techniques to assess, support, and treat children dealing with mental health concerns, behavioural difficulties, or developmental challenges.
Some of the most commonly employed techniques include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most widely used therapeutic approaches for children and adolescents by psychologists. It is a tool for treating depression, anxiety, and mood challenges, along with unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavioural difficulties. Paediatric psychologists work with children to develop coping strategies and problem-solving skills
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps children develop psychological flexibility by teaching them to accept difficult emotions and thoughts while focusing on values-based actions to improve well-being and resilience.
- Play Therapy: Play therapy is a method often used for younger children. It is a tool that allows children to express their feelings and experiences that they may not otherwise be able to clearly articulate. Playful activities such as drawing, role-playing, games, or toys can allow children to act out their emotions or struggles. For the psychologist, it is a helpful insight into the inner world of the child and provides an evidence-based basis for emotional or behavioural support.
- Creative Therapies: Similar to play therapy, this method utilises art therapy and other non-verbal avenues to allow children to express emotions and explore their inner world.
- Family Therapy: This includes working alongside immediate members of the family unit to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and address any patterns of behaviour that may be contributing to the emotional or behavioural difficulties.
- Group Therapy: This enables children to interact with other children their age while growing and learning from peers within a supervised environment. This can involve coaching children through how they choose to interact with others, understanding social cues, and resolving conflicts.
When Should You See a Paediatric (Child) Psychologist?
So when is the right time to see a Paediatric psychologist, and when does it make sense for your child? It can be incredibly beneficial to seek out help, especially if you believe your child is struggling with emotional, behavioural, or developmental concerns.
Here are some signs that it may be time to seek out professional help:
- Persistent Behaviour Changes: Withdrawal or sudden mood shifts can be an indication of emotional distress.
- School Struggles: Academic or social difficulties may require psychological assessment and support.
- Emotional Dysregulation: Frequent tantrums or anger may point to trouble with emotion regulation. At home, if there is ongoing aggression or defiance, it may require behavioural intervention.
- Difficulty Coping with Loss/Trauma: A major event such as a death in the family, or the divorce of their parents, may require professional support for a young person to properly deal with.
- Eating/Sleeping Problems: Significant changes in eating or sleep patterns might indicate emotional issues.
- Attention Problems: Difficulty focusing or following instructions can be explored by a psychologist.
- Fears or Phobias: Intense, irrational fears that directly impact daily life to the point of loss of functioning may need professional intervention
- Repetitive Behaviours: Regular compulsive or ritualistic behaviour which appears irritational or dysfunctional may be reason to seek support
- Addiction: Addictive traits to substances, pornography, gaming etc, may be a reason to seek support.
Benefits of Paediatric (Child) Psychology for Children and Families
Sydney Child Psychology offers a variety of significant benefits for both children and families alike. At its core, a good psychologist promotes a space that fosters emotional, behavioural, and social well-being.
At the child’s level, it provides a safe space to express feelings, understand thoughts, and develop helpful coping strategies for a range of challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or behavioural difficulties. By targeting these concerns early on, it can prevent them from worsening, enhance self-esteem, and support healthy development. Research greatly supports the introduction of early intervention to prevent mental health challenges later on in life.
Psychologists often work closely with parents and caregivers alongside the treatment of their children. This often provides families with effective guidance on communication, positive discipline, and strategies to support behavioural or emotional development at the home level.
A great psychologist can help strengthen family relationships, reduce stress, and foster a supportive environment for the child’s growth into the future. Empowering children and their families can help to create a stable and emotionally healthy home that improves the long-term future for all members.
How to Choose the Right Child Psychologist For Your Child
It is essential to choose the right paediatric child psychologist for your child, ensuring they receive the effective support they need.
Some key considerations include:
| Consideration | What It Means |
| Qualifications and Registration | · Must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
· Holds qualifications in Psychology/Clinical Psychology |
| Experience with Children | · Search for psychologists who have experience working with children
· Have experience in areas that relate to your child’s individual circumstances |
| Therapeutic Approach | · Different psychologists use different methods
· Methods include CBT, ACT, play therapy, family therapy, etc. · Ask about their specific approach and figure out if it makes sense for your child |
| Compatibility with Your Child | · Your child must feel comfortable and safe
· Consider a brief consultation to help determine whether the style aligns with your child’s personality |
| Referrals and Reviews | · Seek recommendations from GPs, schools, or other parents,
· Check online reviews for general thoughts and credibility |
| Practical Considerations | · Consider location, availability, session costs, and whether they accept insurance or Medicare rebates |
By making a thoughtful and heavily researched choice, you’re one step closer to making a choice that improves the likelihood of positive outcomes for both your child and family.
Conclusion:
Paediatric psychologists can play a vital role in the emotional, behavioural, and developmental well-being of children. Through the use of therapeutic techniques tailored to each specific child’s needs, they can help target areas from anxiety all the way through to social development.
Seeking out the right child psychologist early on can make a significant impression in the trajectory of your child’s development, helping to build resilience, confidence and a wealth of essential life skills.
If you believe that your child could benefit from seeing a psychologist, then it is important to act promptly. Finding the right paediatric psychologist can take time, but it is an important step in ensuring your child gets the support they need.
At Health Sync Care, we are driven by innovation, combining the latest achievements with our holistic approach, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. Get in touch with our passionate team today to find out if our services are right for you and your family.
Nivi Subramaniyan
Nivi is a former speech pathologist with many years of experience working with children and families. Since then she has undertaken several leadership roles which has then lead her into her role here at Healthsync.
