Child Psychologists & Information on Child Psychology

As they develop, children and adolescents must acquire various skills. These include, for example, emotional skills or those related to social interaction. They also develop attachment skills as well as language and academic abilities.

In all these areas, adolescents may experience disturbances.

A mental disorder is primarily characterized by changes in experience and behavior. In the case of a psychosomatic disorder, physical symptoms are present but have no organic cause.

Children’s psyches differ significantly from those of adults. Therefore, age-appropriate care is extremely important for mental or psychiatric disorders.

Child psychology deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of:

• psychological (mental), psychosomatic, developmental, and neurological illnesses and disorders
• psychological and social behavioral problems in infancy, childhood, and adolescence

In all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, experts also take into account the family and social environment of the young patients.

After completing medical school, a licensed physician can undergo five years of specialized training to become a board-certified specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. During this time, they perform a specified number of diagnostic procedures and therapies.

Psychologists and educators can also complete a three- to five-year residency program after graduation to become child and adolescent psychotherapists (KJP).

The correct title for a child psychologist or a specialist in child psychology is either:

• child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist or
• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist

In the future, however, training to become a psychotherapist will also be possible as part of a separate degree program.

Developmental, psychosomatic, mental, neurological, and social disorders or behavioral problems include:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or
• Selective mutism (severely restricted verbal communication)
• Attachment disorders
• Nocturnal enuresis or encopresis without an organic cause, as well as
• autism spectrum disorders

Some mental health conditions typically seen in adulthood can also occur in children and adolescents.

For example, some patients already suffer from:

• depression
• anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, or
• schizophrenia

An expert in child psychology also treats, among other conditions:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa
• Personality disorders
• Tic disorders
• Articulation disorders, stuttering, cluttering
• Neglect, maltreatment, sexual abuse
• Self-harming behavior and suicidal tendencies
• Gender identity disorders, as well as disorders of sexual development and orientation
• Abnormal habits and impulse control disorders
• Non-organic sleep disorders

In child psychology, the child’s social and family environment plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process. Experts often gather the child’s history in collaboration with the family, the foster family, or a youth welfare agency.

In addition, standardized psychological tests, such as intelligence tests or reading and spelling tests, are used. There are also testing procedures to assess socio-emotional status or sensorimotor development.

Child and adolescent psychotherapists often collaborate with physicians to rule out physical causes of the symptoms.

These physicians conduct additional neurological examinations or laboratory tests of blood and urine.

Psychotherapeutic approaches are central to the treatment of children’s mental health. These primarily include behavioral therapy. However, depth psychology-based therapies, systemic therapy, and specialized play, music, and art therapies are also suitable for treatment.

Depending on the symptoms and their cause, psychologists may involve parents, siblings, caregivers, or teachers in the treatment. Group or family therapy may be an option. 

Specialized therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or movement therapy can effectively complement psychotherapeutic treatment.

Other therapeutic approaches in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy include:

• Medication
• Nutrition
• Relaxation techniques
• Functional exercise therapies
• Biofeedback techniques
• Environmental therapy
• Special Education
• Counseling for Educators and Teachers
• Supervision
• Cooperation with Youth Services