8 answers
isabella
Student
Merced, California
1
Question
Updated
415 views
so basically hello! my name is isabella I am 15 years old and I'm trying to aspire my dream of being a child therapist or a school counselor or just working with kids in general, maybe even being a social worker, I'm not sure but this is a career I'm talking about, I'm really serious about wanting this my grades aren't really good I need to put more effort and now that I'm 15 I'm starting to see things slightly differently I just need some tips for maybe before I turn 18? I want to start setting up my future but I know I really need advice on being a child therapist so if anyone has any advice please send some out. thankyouu!
tips? pleaseeeee and thank you!
8 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
613
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Isabella!
First off, it's amazing that you already have such a clear vision for your future and a genuine passion for working with kids. You’re on the right track by thinking about your goals now—it shows maturity and determination. Let me break things down into some steps and tips to help you move forward:
1. Focus on Your Grades and Study Habits
- Make a Plan: Create a schedule for studying and stick to it. Break subjects into smaller, manageable chunks and review regularly.
- Ask for Help: If you’re struggling with specific subjects, don’t hesitate to ask teachers for extra help, or consider a tutor. Many schools offer free resources.
- Start Small: Improving grades doesn’t happen overnight. Celebrate small victories, like understanding a tough concept or getting a better score on a test.
2. Explore Your Career Options
- Research Each Role: Learn about what it takes to be a child therapist, school counselor, or social worker. Look into their day-to-day tasks, education requirements, and salary expectations.
- Volunteer or Shadow Professionals: Find opportunities to work with kids, such as volunteering at a daycare, school, or community center. This will give you hands-on experience and help you figure out what you love most.
- Speak to People in the Field: Reach out to school counselors or therapists in your area. Ask them questions about their career path, challenges, and rewards.
3. Start Building Relevant Skills
- Communication: Practice listening and speaking with empathy. These are key skills for counseling roles.
- Patience: Spend time with younger kids, babysit, or tutor to develop patience and understanding.
- Organization: Learn to balance your time well now—it’s a skill that will help in school and your future career.
4. Set Short-Term Goals
- Personal Growth: Challenge yourself to read more books about psychology, child development, or self-improvement. Even watching documentaries can help you learn!
- Academics: Aim for steady progress, like improving your GPA each semester.
- Extracurricular Activities: Join clubs or programs that align with your interests. For example, if your school has a psychology club or community service group, get involved.
5. Plan for Life After High School
- Education Path: Research colleges or programs that specialize in psychology, counseling, or social work. Most child therapists need a bachelor's degree in psychology or social work, followed by a master’s degree in counseling or therapy.
- Save Money: If possible, start saving for college. Scholarships and grants are also available, so keep an eye on those as you get closer to graduation.
6. Believe in Yourself
It’s okay if your grades aren’t perfect right now. The fact that you’re aware of the need to improve and are taking steps to plan your future is a huge accomplishment. Stay consistent, and remember that your passion for helping kids will shine through in everything you do.
You’ve got this, Isabella! Keep asking questions, learning, and dreaming big. And remember, even small steps today can lead to a bright future.
Best wishes!
First off, it's amazing that you already have such a clear vision for your future and a genuine passion for working with kids. You’re on the right track by thinking about your goals now—it shows maturity and determination. Let me break things down into some steps and tips to help you move forward:
1. Focus on Your Grades and Study Habits
- Make a Plan: Create a schedule for studying and stick to it. Break subjects into smaller, manageable chunks and review regularly.
- Ask for Help: If you’re struggling with specific subjects, don’t hesitate to ask teachers for extra help, or consider a tutor. Many schools offer free resources.
- Start Small: Improving grades doesn’t happen overnight. Celebrate small victories, like understanding a tough concept or getting a better score on a test.
2. Explore Your Career Options
- Research Each Role: Learn about what it takes to be a child therapist, school counselor, or social worker. Look into their day-to-day tasks, education requirements, and salary expectations.
- Volunteer or Shadow Professionals: Find opportunities to work with kids, such as volunteering at a daycare, school, or community center. This will give you hands-on experience and help you figure out what you love most.
- Speak to People in the Field: Reach out to school counselors or therapists in your area. Ask them questions about their career path, challenges, and rewards.
3. Start Building Relevant Skills
- Communication: Practice listening and speaking with empathy. These are key skills for counseling roles.
- Patience: Spend time with younger kids, babysit, or tutor to develop patience and understanding.
- Organization: Learn to balance your time well now—it’s a skill that will help in school and your future career.
4. Set Short-Term Goals
- Personal Growth: Challenge yourself to read more books about psychology, child development, or self-improvement. Even watching documentaries can help you learn!
- Academics: Aim for steady progress, like improving your GPA each semester.
- Extracurricular Activities: Join clubs or programs that align with your interests. For example, if your school has a psychology club or community service group, get involved.
5. Plan for Life After High School
- Education Path: Research colleges or programs that specialize in psychology, counseling, or social work. Most child therapists need a bachelor's degree in psychology or social work, followed by a master’s degree in counseling or therapy.
- Save Money: If possible, start saving for college. Scholarships and grants are also available, so keep an eye on those as you get closer to graduation.
6. Believe in Yourself
It’s okay if your grades aren’t perfect right now. The fact that you’re aware of the need to improve and are taking steps to plan your future is a huge accomplishment. Stay consistent, and remember that your passion for helping kids will shine through in everything you do.
You’ve got this, Isabella! Keep asking questions, learning, and dreaming big. And remember, even small steps today can lead to a bright future.
Best wishes!
Joanne Laubacker
Licensed Optician
4
Answers
Lockport, New York
Updated
Joanne’s Answer
Hello Isabella. If you are very serious about wanting to become a child psychologist, my recommendation would be to start looking at colleges that offer the program. When you find some colleges that offer this program, then you can go and see the college and ask questions on what they expect from prospective students.
Quantise Rodgers
Marketing
21
Answers
Fairfield, Connecticut
Updated
Quantise’s Answer
Well, I would say you have the passion and drive to be a child therapist, so this is a good start. Just assess if this is something you can see yourself doing for 50 plus years. It seems like this is a possibility and from there, just evaluate your personality characteristics, hobbies and passions. Ask your questions. Why do you want to be a child therapist? What do you think will be most rewarding/challenging? What are your goals as a therapist? Where would you like to work? What type of therapy methods do you believe will help the children the most? How can you move the child therapy industry forward? From here, you should get a good grasp.
I would recommend taking a look around some child therapy websites. Take some notes. You can also reach out to some child therapists and ask if they can be a mentor or ask them some questions. Also, check with educational institutions that offer child therapy as part of their curriculum. Can peruse around their sites/social media or ask them some questions. In addition, you can look on YouTube for some videos on child therapy to get an inside scope on the role. You can also have a good chat with your school counselor who should help you with advice on preparing yourself for this field. Also, what type of credentials, education and necessary steps you will have to partake. More than likely, you will need a clean record/history (especially working with children) so be prepared.
This should help and good luck!
I would recommend taking a look around some child therapy websites. Take some notes. You can also reach out to some child therapists and ask if they can be a mentor or ask them some questions. Also, check with educational institutions that offer child therapy as part of their curriculum. Can peruse around their sites/social media or ask them some questions. In addition, you can look on YouTube for some videos on child therapy to get an inside scope on the role. You can also have a good chat with your school counselor who should help you with advice on preparing yourself for this field. Also, what type of credentials, education and necessary steps you will have to partake. More than likely, you will need a clean record/history (especially working with children) so be prepared.
This should help and good luck!
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
354
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Great you are thinking about your future. Best you can do is concentrate on doing well in school and observing folks in careers that interest you. Let your relatives, friends and neighbors know what you're thinking and they may be able to connect you with people in those careers who you can talk to and learn from.
Meanwhile, consider volunteering to help young students with reading, math or areas where they need help. You will gain valuable experience and it may help you to determine your future interests.
With every good wish and many blessings!
Meanwhile, consider volunteering to help young students with reading, math or areas where they need help. You will gain valuable experience and it may help you to determine your future interests.
With every good wish and many blessings!
Robin Bensinger
Care
3
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Robin’s Answer
If one is interested in working with children, and especially becoming a child therapist, I would highly recommend reading the books of Torey Hayden, who worked both as a special education teacher and a child therapist (her books show her in each role helping troubled children--and they are a great read!). Also, it's important to get real world perspectives, so I would ask around (maybe a college professor, school teacher or other professional) if they know anyone in that role who would be willing to be interviewed by you. I would write down lots of questions, and then ask a real child therapist to find out the pros and cons of that position. Another really important thing is to do volunteer work with different types of children to make sure you do well with all types, or figure out what types of children you work best with. You could tutor, mentor, babysit, etc. Good luck!
Robin Bensinger
Care
3
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Robin’s Answer
If one is interested in working with children, and especially becoming a child therapist, I would highly recommend reading the books of Torey Hayden, who worked both as a special education teacher and a child therapist (her books show her in each role helping troubled children--and they are a great read!). Also, it's important to get real world perspectives, so I would ask around (maybe a college professor, school teacher or other professional) if they know anyone in that role who would be willing to be interviewed by you. I would write down lots of questions, and then ask a real child therapist (etc) to find out the pros and cons of that (or any other) position. Another really important thing is to do volunteer work with different types of children to make sure you do well with all types, or figure out what types of children you work best with. You could tutor, mentor, babysit, etc. Good luck!
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
339
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
Hi Isabella! It's awesome that you have such a clear vision for your future at 15, and I’m really glad you’re thinking about taking steps now! Here are a few tips to help you work toward becoming a child therapist or counselor:
Focus on Your Studies: While grades may not define your entire future, they can open doors for scholarships and college admissions. Try to improve your grades by staying organized, asking for help when needed, and creating a study routine.
Learn About the Field: You’re already on the right track by exploring options like child therapy, school counseling, and social work. Research what each of these careers involves and find out what qualifications and degrees you need.
Get Experience: Volunteering with kids, whether at a school, community center, or an organization that helps children, can give you valuable hands-on experience. This can also help you decide which specific path in the field interests you the most.
Develop Empathy & Communication Skills: Therapists and counselors need to listen well, show empathy, and build trust. Practice these skills in your everyday life by talking with friends and family, and pay attention to how you help others when they’re going through tough times.
Prepare for College: You’ll likely need a degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. Start thinking about colleges that offer programs in those areas. Consider reaching out to school counselors or people in the field to learn about their educational journeys.
Take Care of Yourself: Working with kids, especially those who are going through difficult times, can be emotionally challenging. Make sure you focus on your own mental and emotional health, too!
Focus on Your Studies: While grades may not define your entire future, they can open doors for scholarships and college admissions. Try to improve your grades by staying organized, asking for help when needed, and creating a study routine.
Learn About the Field: You’re already on the right track by exploring options like child therapy, school counseling, and social work. Research what each of these careers involves and find out what qualifications and degrees you need.
Get Experience: Volunteering with kids, whether at a school, community center, or an organization that helps children, can give you valuable hands-on experience. This can also help you decide which specific path in the field interests you the most.
Develop Empathy & Communication Skills: Therapists and counselors need to listen well, show empathy, and build trust. Practice these skills in your everyday life by talking with friends and family, and pay attention to how you help others when they’re going through tough times.
Prepare for College: You’ll likely need a degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. Start thinking about colleges that offer programs in those areas. Consider reaching out to school counselors or people in the field to learn about their educational journeys.
Take Care of Yourself: Working with kids, especially those who are going through difficult times, can be emotionally challenging. Make sure you focus on your own mental and emotional health, too!
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
120
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Isabella, there are many different types of positions working with children and youth as a professional in social services and psychology. You will (likely) need to pursue graduate school after getting a Bachelors (Undergraduate). There are positions for people with an undergraduate degree, but they will not be paid as well or have opportunities for advancement. Plan to study psychology; some schools may have additional courses focusing on childhood- but you will get everything you need in graduate school. For graduate school you have options; I suggest looking at each path very carefully to see what looks most useful. School counseling, Pediatric occupational therapy, or child and family therapy are all similar but have very different career outcomes. Social work with a focus on youth and family work will allow you to work in several types of settings- sometimes providing counseling, sometimes doing other tasks such as connecting people with resources and benefits. A degree in education will obviously lead to a teaching position; it may also allow you to design curriculum- a niche role that might have you working for the local government or public-school administration. There are plenty of opportunities to also enter into program or project management with nonprofits dedicated to working directly with youth or for youth- such as Make a Wish Foundation or the YWCA. You can begin now to improve your grades; seek help (such as tutoring) learning study skills. It took me years to develop my own best habits and to understand my learning style. I had poor grades in Jr. High but began to get serious about my grades in high school when I realized my future depended upon it. See how you can organize your life to support your studying- dedicate time after school and on weekends. Be willing to complete extra credit assignments to raise your grades. The hard work will pay off! Do one thing at a time and you will get where you want to go. Good luck!
Delete Comment
Flag Comment