Child psychologist - All information about child psychology in outpatient psychological practice and clinic: From diagnostics to behavioral therapy ...
What exactly is a child psychologist?
Here you will find all the important information about child psychologists:
- Correct job titles and tasks
- Health insurance: Costs and regulations; patient rights
- Correct search terms and tips for successfully finding a good practitioner
- Methods, training and quality standards as well as scientific backgrounds
Content
The search for therapists ...
“Does anyone know a good child psychologist or adolescent psychologist near Frankfurt?” This is a colloquial question. But the profession actually only exists in everyday language. Many parents look for this job title when their children are not doing well. Perhaps they are suffering from emotional problems, typical difficulties are
- Depression, frustration and grief
- Anxiety and panic
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- bullying
- autism
- ADD or ADHD.
- enuresis
- etc.
What parents, teachers, school psychologists and employees of social institutions actually mean is a psychotherapist for children and adolescents. Even specialists such as general practitioners, pediatricians and social pedagogues often find it difficult to differentiate. “No problem. – We all know what’s meant!” – “Unfortunately we do!”
Attention: Not a protected job title in Germany!
The greatest danger probably lies in the fact that the term suggests (psycho-)therapeutic knowledge and qualifications that do not exist. This happens in one of the most difficult and sensitive fields of work, namely the mental health of your child!
Here, for example, alternative practitioners for psychotherapy can hide behind the term and cleverly pretend to be similarly or nearly as well trained as KJP practitioners. The use of the term is not prohibited. Anyone and everyone can call themselves that, pretend to be one and use it for advertising purposes.
"Kinderpsychologe" (Child psychologist) is a misleading search term
On the Internet in particular, various “information platforms” use the term “child psychologist” to lure users to their homepages for advertising purposes. Unfortunately, almost without exception, those seeking advice are given false and incorrect information. This can cause considerable harm to those seeking advice. They are given a false impression.
In addition, they may lose a lot of time because the “wrong search term” misleads them and that in an urgent psychosocial emergency of children or in family crises. Alternatively, it would be better to search for the term “child and adolescent psychotherapist” in order to find appropriate serious help and psychotherapeutic treatment offers.
"Kinderpsychologen bzw. Jugendpsycholgen" Child or Youth psychologist versus KJP
Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeut (Child and adolescent psychotherapist)
The term is certainly not a simple and patient-friendly choice of words. Even professionals close to the field regularly have difficulty remembering the term or assigning it correctly. This is a disadvantage that results from a highly differentiated healthcare system. For patients, the large selection of therapists, practitioners and specialists means that, in addition to all the obvious advantages, there are also disadvantages. The difficult search for the right practitioner and the confusing job titles are unfortunately among them.
Permitted professional titles according to the Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG) in Germany
The Psychotherapists Act prescribes the professional title of psychotherapist as a general designation. Psychotherapeutic treatment may only be carried out using this profession. The following specific designations are also valid:
- Medical PT
- Psychological PT
- Child and adolescent psychotherapist (KJP)
Which professions specialize in children and young people with mental illnesses and behavioural problems?
Child and adolescent psychotherapists, medical specialists with further training in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy and psychological PT with additional qualifications. The professions mentioned here are all academic or healthcare professions with a license to practice. The practitioners also have several years of further training following their studies. They treat young people with behavioral problems or mental illnesses in outpatient practices, outpatient clinics, social psychiatric centers and clinics. Counseling centers can be a good first point of contact, but they do not provide psychotherapy.
The difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist
The confusion between the terms in KJP is similar to the confusion between these professional titles. The distinction is just as difficult for laypeople.
These are people who have successfully completed a degree in psychology at a university or college. They are holders of an academic degree such as Dipl. Psych. of Bachelor/ Master of Science (B.S. / M.Sc. Psychology), Master of Arts (M.A. Psychology).
But they are not practicing a medical profession and they are aware of this. They appropriately reject patients with requests for psychotherapy and refer them to appropriate services.
Child and adolescent psychotherapy is only possible with a license to practice
In order to carry out a guideline, possession of a license is mandatory. This refers to the use of analytical, depth psychology-based psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Non-medical practitioners and alternative practitioners for PT are neither permitted nor able to do this.
Laws and rules for the protection of patients in the practice
Even before the introduction of the more recent regulations regarding the strengthening of patients’ rights, patients were protected by law in treatment relationships.
These rights apply not only to doctors but also to any treatment relationship, including alternative practitioners and PTs. The rights include, among others
- Right to information and education
- Right to self-determination
- Right of access to treatment records
- Medical measures may only be carried out with consent
The Act to Improve Patients’ Rights describes and codifies the contractual relationship between patients and practitioners as a service contract in accordance with the German Civil Code (BGB). See section 630a onwards in the BGB. In addition, there is the Complaints and Arbitration Committee of the Hessian Chamber of Psychotherapists. The chamber is obliged to investigate every complaint!
Private health insurance companies pay or cover the costs
Child psychotherapy and adolescent psychotherapy are part of the comprehensive healthcare system in Germany. This means that the costs are generally covered by the statutory health insurance funds. Patients with statutory health insurance therefore do not pay extra. However, the guarantee that the costs will be covered by the statutory health insurance funds and private health insurers is only guaranteed for approved PT. In the case of non-approved so-called private practices in cost reimbursement procedures, patients with statutory health insurance may unfortunately be stuck with the costs.
Health insurance benefits in the guideline procedures
The three guideline procedures approved by the statutory health insurance funds – analytical, depth psychology-based psychotherapy and VT – differ conceptually and in terms of the length and duration of treatment. This is reflected in the different hourly quotas to be approved. Whether individual therapy or group therapy is applied for also plays a role.
In principle, every therapy for patients with statutory health insurance is now preceded by a pt. Consultation hour. This is followed by up to six trial sessions. These are used to try things out and get to know each other, for diagnostics, etc..
Only then do the statutory health insurance companies approve the short-term therapy sessions 1 and 2 of twice 12 hours each (plus 3 caregiver sessions each) and/or the long-term therapy and its extension.
Table: Therapy methods and approved quotas
Abbreviations: Analytical psychotherapy (AP), depth psychology-based psychotherapy (TP), behavioral therapy (VT); long-term therapy (LZT); EZ = individual therapy, GT = group therapy
| LZT | AP | TP | VT |
Kinder EZ GT | 70/ 60 | 70/ 60 | 60/ 60 |
Jugendliche EZ GT | 90/ 60 | 90/ 60 | 60/ 60 |
| extended | |||
Kind EZ GT | 150/ 90 | 150/ 90 | 80/ 80 |
Jugendliche EZ GT | 180/ 90 | 180/ 90 | 80/ 80 |
Current exact tabular overview of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians can be downloaded as a PDF file:
What does a psychologist do with patients in childhood and adolescence up to the age of 21?
KJPs specialize in patients aged 0 to adolescents and young adults and their parents. It is easy to imagine that adults generally have completely different wishes, ideas, questions and difficulties. Family-related issues also present themselves differently than in individual therapy with adults.
It is therefore not surprising that most specialized KJP practitioners have a broad basic training that encompasses the fields of education, sociology, systems theory and developmental psychology, as well as clinical psychology and classical social pedagogy.
This may also make it easier to understand why most child therapists often do not have a “Dipl. Psych.” on their practice sign, but rather a “Pädagoge” (Dipl. Päd), “Sozialpädagoge” (Dipl. Sozpäd.) or “Sonderpädagoge”. It makes a decisive difference what was dealt with in the practical and theoretical training period.
What does a „Kinderpsychologe“ (child psychologist) do?
A KJP is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of children between the ages of 0 and 21. The treatment of behavioral problems, mental illnesses or mentally induced physical illnesses is carried out through treatment and accompanying work with caregivers.
However, KJP specialists can also be called in to help with family conflicts, custody and contact arrangements, out-of-home care and legal issues.
What happens during treatment?
First of all, every treatment is preceded by an anamnesis and a diagnosis, which take place in the psychotherapeutic consultation or in the probationary period. In addition to the symptoms and assignment of a diagnosis according to ICD-10, many other factors are also recorded in order to get to know the patient and their environment (the family).
The treatment is always adapted to the developmental stage of the child or adolescent and the respective life circumstances. The skills and resources of children, adolescents and parents are utilized.
There is a wide range of different concepts for the treatment of which can be applied to the various mental disorders in childhood and adolescence.
Regardless of the method used – analytical, depth-psychology-based treatment or VT – the child’s other means of expression are also taken into account in addition to language. With younger children, the ability to play is examined and used in particular. For example, creative methods such as painting or role-playing are used here. These can be used to build relationships, observe behavior or present unconscious issues.
For adolescents, on the other hand, the focus is more on conversations as we know them from adult therapy. External circumstances, behaviors, feelings or internal conflicts that have contributed to the development of the disorder are discussed and are included in the search for solutions.
In the case of children, parents and sometimes doctors, educators, teachers or family helpers are usually involved in so-called attachment figure sessions.
Instead of individual therapy, or as a supplement to individual therapy, group therapy can also be carried out.
Methods and procedures of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy
The variety of psychotherapeutic methods and approaches to psychotherapy is now unmanageable. They range from talk therapy, art therapy, body psychotherapy and systemic therapy to classic psychoanalysis. For those seeking help and patients, it is almost impossible to assess what is sensible and right for them or their children.
What is certain, however, is that only three so-called guideline methods are currently covered by health insurance. These are depth psychology-based and analytical psychotherapy as well as behavioral therapy.
The methods differ in terms of their view of human nature and consequently also in their understanding of how illnesses arise. Analytical psychotherapy and depth psychology refer to unconscious mental processes and conflicts that lie behind the symptoms of illness. Behavioral therapy focuses on the direct treatment of psychological complaints and is more oriented towards learning theories and behavioral changes.
Psychotherapy can be carried out both in the form of individual therapy and group therapy.
Quality standards of KJP: studies plus further training
Search for child and adolescent psychotherapists!
Doctors, psychologists and teachers can undertake further training after their basic training (studies and profession). This further training is comparable to specialist training and is equivalent to a second degree. This has not changed even with the latest training reform.
Further training can be completed at state-recognized training institutes and universities. There are basically two specializations: KJP or PP for adults. The training to become a KJP is more extensive and therefore takes around 1.5 to 2.5 years longer on average.
Adults can then complete extended further training to become a KJP. However, this is controversial and is viewed highly critically even by the training institutes. This is because the strictly supervised training cases on young patients are omitted on this training path. Psych. PTs with additional training therefore have considerable deficits in their practical training.
How can I find a child psychologist near me? - Help with searching and finding
Once you have made your choice of KJPler, it is advisable to call during the specified telephone consultation hours to make an appointment for an initial consultation. It is also often possible to leave a callback request on the answering machine.
If necessary, you should add your name to the waiting list and ask again after an agreed time.
Flexibility on the part of parents and children when making appointments makes it easier to find a therapy place. In urgent cases and after consultation with the school, time off from school is also possible.
How do I choose therapists?
The most important thing in the selection process is the so-called fit. This refers to whether the “chemistry” between the two is right or not. A sufficiently good relationship is a good basis for working together. Exaggerated expectations and a fit that is perceived as excellent are often disappointed.
In addition to the personal impression, it is advisable to take a closer look at the therapist’s professional background. Experience in social, educational and psychiatric fields of work is particularly important here. The broadest possible basic training and other professional experience are also an advantage.
Study child psychology
This is a branch of developmental psychology and is therefore part of the psychology degree programs. Its subject is the study of age-related changes in human experience and behavior – in other words, adolescence. It begins in the womb (prenatal development) and continues through early, middle and late childhood to puberty and adolescence. Other key areas of child development, such as the development of sensory and motor skills, round off the topic.
Study? But where?
If you want to study to become a child psychologist at university and want to do scientific research specifically on children and their development, you need to study psychology. This is entirely possible with an appropriate choice of subjects and specialization during your studies. However, it is important to find out in advance about the focus of the respective university or college. The curriculum and the research focus of the lecturers differ from university to university. If you are interested in the subject area, you should make an informed decision in advance about a suitable place of study and university.
The Childhood Education course has been offered at the IU International University for some time and may be an alternative for people looking to study in this or a similar field.
No qualification as a specialist psychologist for children, child development or similar in Germany
There is no academic degree or specialist psychologist for child development and the like in Germany. Here, too, you should not be deceived, even if advertising offers from some distance-learning universities or technical universities are circulating on the Internet! Unfortunately, there is no Master’s degree in child psychology. Please note the small print and the strict criteria of the Psychotherapists Act for admission.
Specialist psychologist for child and adolescent psychology in Switzerland
The terms and systems in Switzerland are difficult to compare with the training and healthcare system in Germany. Nevertheless, for the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out here that the Swiss Association for Child and Adolescent Psychology (SKJP) [4] offers further training to obtain the specialist title “Specialist Psychologist for Child and Adolescent Psychology (FSP)”.
As in Germany, a prerequisite for further training is a degree in psychology (licentiate, master’s degree) and practical experience in child and adolescent psychology. Further training comprises at least 700 hours and takes at least three to four years, which is nowhere near the standards of German psychotherapists. In addition, courses completed at the Universities of Basel and Zurich are also recognized and can be credited.
Research and science - About child psychiatrists and precursors
Child psychology as a contribution to psychotherapy
For a long time now, child psychologists have no longer focused solely on their treatment methods. A vast number of studies and findings have been available for a long time and significant results of child psychology have been taken into account. The following areas can be distinguished in order to obtain a systematic overview:
- Physical development
- Development of sensory (perception) and motor skills
- Cognitive development
- Emotional development
- Language development
- Self-concept
- Gender role
- Moral development
- Social development
There are many theoretical perspectives and scientific approaches that attempt to explain and make human development comprehensible. The following list shows just how different these can be, to name just a few important ones:
- Albert Bandura: Theory of Social Learning
- Sigmund Freud: Stages of psychosexual development and the instance model
- Kurt Lewin: Theory of differentiation and integration of the individual living space
- Jane Loevinger: Stage model of ego development for the construction of meaning.
- Jean Piaget: Stage model
- Lev Vygotsky: Social contextualism (and the cultural development theory of Michael Cole)
- Urie Bronfenbrenner: Ecosystemic approach
Although these theories and approaches as well as studies and findings on key areas of development are certainly to be taken seriously and are applied both theoretically and practically, there is as yet no independent university course. There is no academic degree.
Pioneering work in psychoanalysis
As controversial as Siegmund Freud may be today and as outdated as some of his findings may be from today’s perspective, he was the most important pioneer of PT. Back then, like depth psychology and psychoanalysis today, Freund focused on aspects of developmental psychology and possible maldevelopment as the cause of illness. Some of his works can be seen as textbooks on clinical child psychology, including his Developmental Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence:
He focused on sexual development and referred to the Oedipus complex, the Electra complex and a structural model of the psyche that is still valid today. Freud popularized the existence of the unconscious and the dependence on parental influences.
His daughter Anna Freud did pioneering work in the field of psychoanalytic treatment of children. She was, so to speak, the first child psychologist. Until then, there had been no treatment of children. Anna Freud thus laid the decisive foundation for today’s child and adolescent psychotherapy.
In the 1930s and 1940s, psychoanalysts developed the object relations theory. It examines the individual’s interactions with real and imaginary persons and the relationships that people experience between their external and internal objects. The importance of a reliable social relationship with an attachment figure has thus been the subject of much research.
Today, the tradition of depth psychology and psychoanalysis continues. Currently, attachment theory (Bowlby) or mentalization concepts (Fonagy) are important contributions for everyone, even for behavioural therapists.
Anwendung kinderpsychologischer Erkenntnisse und Themen
Die Ergebnisse finden nicht nur den Eingang in die PT. Längst sind sie Bestandteil von Elterninformation und Beratung von Eltern. Genauso haben sie in der Ausbildung von Erziehern und Lehrkräften ihren festen Platz: Sprachentwicklung, kindliche Aggressionen, Geschlechterrollen und Geschlechtsidentität usw.. Dabei gibt es einen fließenden Übergang zur Klinik und Forschung zu psychischer Störungen.
Weiterführende Infos und Hilfen
Hilfreiche Links und wichtige Adressen für Eltern und Patienten
Wichtige Literatur und Buchempfehlungen
Erik H. Erikson
- Jugend und Krise. Die Psychodynamik im sozialen Wandel. Klett. 1974
- Der vollständige Lebenszyklus; Frankfurt a. M. 1988; 2. Aufl. 1992
- Identität und Lebenszyklus. Drei Aufsätze; Frankfurt a. M. 1966; 2. Aufl. 1973
- Kindheit und Gesellschaft; Zürich 1957
Anna Freud
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Kriegskinder; Berichte aus den Kriegskinderheimen » Hampstead Nurseries « (1939-1945), FISCHER Taschenbuch ISBN: 978-3-596-26812-2
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Indikationsstellung in der Kinderanalyse und andere Schriften (1945-1956), FISCHER Taschenbuch ISBN: 978-3-596-26814-6
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Anwendung psychoanalytischen Wissens auf die Kindererziehung und andere Schriften (1956-1965), FISCHER Taschenbuch ISBN: 978-3-596-26817-7
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Psychoanalytische Beiträge zur normalen Kinderentwicklung (1971-1980), FISCHER Taschenbuch ISBN: 978-3-596-26820-7
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Anstaltskinder; Berichte aus den Kriegskinderheimen » Hampstead Nurseries « (1939-1945), FISCHER Taschenbuch ISBN: 978-3-596-26813-9
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Psychoanalyse und Erziehung und andere Schriften (1945-1956), FISCHER Taschenbuch ISBN: 978-3-596-26815-3
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Probleme der psychoanalytischen Ausbildung, der Diagnose und der therapeutischen Technik (1966-1970), FISCHER Taschenbuch; ISBN: 978-3-596-26819-1
- Die Schriften der Anna Freud; Forschungsergebnisse aus der » Hampstead Child-Therapy Clinic « und andere Schriften (1956-1965); FISCHER Taschenbuch; ISBN: 978-3-596-26816-0
Reiter, L.
- Von der Familientherapie zur systemischen Perspektive. Springer Verlag, Heidelberg (1997)
Rotthaus, W. [Hrsg.]
- Systemische Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie. Carl-Auer, Heidelberg (2013)
Petermann, F.
- Grundbegriffe und Trends der Klinische Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychotherapie. In: Petermann F (Hrsg) Lehrbuch der Klinischen Kinderpsychologie und Psychotherapie. Hogrefe, Göttingen (2002)
Schmidtchen, S.
- Indikation zur Spieltherapie. In Bencken J (Hrsg) Kinderspieltherapie. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart (1982)
Remschmidt, Schmidt, Poustka und World Health Organization
- Multiaxiales Klassifikationsschema für psychische Störungen des Kindes- und Jugendalters nach ICD-10 der WHO
Quellen
- Landeskammer für Psychologische Psychotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten und Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten Hessen: „Information zum Patientenrechtegesetz“
- Landespsychotherapeutenkammer Baden – Württemberg: Wege zur Psychotherapie. Landespsychotherapeutenkammer Baden- Württemberg.
- Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters. Fegert, Eggers, ReschSpringer (2012)
- Warnke A., Lehmkuhl G. (2011). Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie in Deutschland. Die Versorgung von psychisch kranken Kindern, Jugendlichen und ihren Familien. Schattauer Verlag, Stuttgart