Educational Psychologist
An Educational Psychologist offers services to children, young people or adolescents who are experiencing problems within an educational setting with the aim of enhancing their learning. Challenges may include social or emotional problems or learning difficulties. They consult with teachers, parents, social Workers and other professionals. They are concerned with children’s learning, well-being and development. They have skills in a range of psychological and educational assessment and intervention techniques and methods for helping children and young people who are experiencing difficulties in learning or social adjustment. They have a central role in the assessment and intervention work in relation to children’s difficulties from an early stage.
Educational Psychologists have counselling skills which they use to work with children and young people of all ages, though more so with older children. They also undertake counselling work with adults, particularly parents and carers who are concerned about their children’s learning, behaviour or general progress.
Educational Psychologists are skilled in a range of educational and psychological assessment and intervention techniques. Techniques include psychometric, curriculum-based and dynamic assessments, observational checklists and structured interviews. Educational Psychologists may suggest, implement and monitor appropriate interventions and solutions, in consultation with teachers, parents and carers. A careful evaluation of a child’s strengths and weaknesses, together with context and environmental factors, may suggest the best solutions within the educational setting.
Educational Psychologists can also offer a service to adult learners in further and higher education. They may become involved in devising, implementing and monitoring programmes to improve adult literacy skills or advising on alternative examination arrangements for learners with disabilities, including dyslexia.
Educational Psychologists sometimes work with groups of children and young people in school or educational settings. This work may be preventative, guide subject choice or a response to a number of pupils experiencing similar difficulties.
Some Educational Psychologists work as expert witnesses in cases where the courts are being asked to provide judgement on issues around a child’s or young person’s educational, emotional, developmental or psychological needs.
An educational Psychologist usually has a Masters or PHD degree in educational psychology and received practical training in education settings (schools/ universities). The educational requirements to work in educational psychology are quite rigorous, and most Educational Psychologists spend a minimum of six years at university, earning a Master’s degree and continue doing further training thereafter. They then are able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) which allows them to be contracted into Medical Aid Health Care services.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
If they are doing an educational assessment, this could include a parent developmental interview, teacher feedback, testing the child, report writing and feedback to parents over a number of sessions. Short-term interventions as well as longer-term, ongoing therapy for more educational/behavioural issues can be offered. Individual sessions are usually 50 minutes and charged at medical aid rates.
Educational Psychologists are registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa). Contact the specific health professional of your choice via our easy search for session rates and details of treatment offered.
