What Is a Child Psychologist and What Do They Do?

A child psychologist is a trained professional who works with children and young people to support their emotional, behavioural and psychological wellbeing. They are qualified to assess and treat a wide range of difficulties that may affect a child’s development or day-to-day life, from low mood and anxiety to learning or relationship challenges.

Unlike general therapists, child psychologists are specialists in working with children and adolescents, often using creative or age-appropriate approaches to engage them in therapy.

How Do Child Psychologists Work?

Child psychologists are trained to understand how children think, feel and behave at different stages of development. They look at how a young person’s relationships, experiences and environment may be affecting their wellbeing. Therapy is not just about addressing problems, but also building on a child’s strengths, helping them cope more effectively and feel more confident in themselves.

Sessions can be offered one-to-one with the child, alongside their parents or carers, or as part of family work. The approach will depend on the child’s age, needs and preferences. Therapy may also involve helping parents understand their child’s behaviour and learn new strategies to support them at home.

What Types of Difficulties Can a Child Psychologist Help With?

Child psychologists support a wide range of emotional, behavioural and developmental concerns. This may include:

• Anxiety, fears and worries
• Low self-esteem or confidence issues
• Mood and emotional regulation problems
• Behaviour that feels difficult to manage
• OCD or repetitive behaviours
• Trauma or upsetting experiences
• Neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD or autism

In some cases, children might not have a diagnosis or a specific concern, but parents may notice changes in their mood, sleep, appetite or general behaviour. A child psychologist can help understand what may be going on and offer guidance on what could be helpful.

Training and Qualifications

Child psychologists in the UK typically hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or Educational Psychology and have years of supervised training. They are regulated by professional bodies such as the HCPC and British Psychological Society.

At CY&A Psychology, our child psychologists are all doctoral-level clinicians with many years of experience in both NHS and private settings. Many have further training in therapies such as CBT, ACT, EMDR, Theraplay, and family-based approaches. Each brings a warm and thoughtful approach to helping children feel heard and supported.

What to Expect from the First Appointment

The first appointment usually involves getting to know the child and their family, understanding what has brought them to therapy, and exploring hopes for support. This initial session may include questions about school, relationships, mood and any changes that have been noticed.

From there, the psychologist will develop a personalised plan that outlines goals and possible next steps. Families are involved in the process, and care is taken to make sure that the child feels safe and comfortable before moving forward.

Why the Right Fit Matters

A good relationship with the therapist is often one of the most important parts of successful therapy. Children are more likely to talk and engage when they feel relaxed and understood. At CY&A Psychology, we take care to match each family with a clinician who has the right experience and therapeutic style for their needs.

We also understand that some families may prefer to work with a female psychologist, and we are happy to accommodate this where possible. Our townhouse practice in Marylebone has been designed to be welcoming, low-stimulus and child-friendly, so every young person can feel at ease.