Ebonie
When you become a child psychologist, is it okay to be emotional sometimes?
I'm asking because some people can be just as emotional as the child at times. #psychology #health #child-psychology #child
4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Can a child psychologist experience emotions during their work?
It's entirely natural and permissible for a child psychologist to feel emotions while interacting with their young clients. Emotions are an integral part of human communication and can be pivotal in creating a bond of empathy and understanding with the children. Here are some important elements to keep in mind about the role of emotions in child psychology:
Building Empathy and Connection: Displaying empathy and understanding towards a child's feelings can foster a robust therapeutic bond. Children usually react favorably to psychologists who can empathize with their emotions and experiences.
Maintaining Emotional Balance: While it's acceptable to experience emotions, child psychologists should also practice emotional regulation. This involves recognizing your emotions, understanding their influence on your interactions with children, and managing them effectively to uphold professional boundaries.
Demonstrating Healthy Emotional Expression: By showing healthy ways of expressing emotions, child psychologists can impart crucial skills to children about managing their own feelings. This can involve acknowledging children's emotions, teaching them coping mechanisms, and fostering emotional intelligence.
Upholding Professional Boundaries: It's essential for child psychologists to maintain a balance between empathy and professional boundaries. Though expressing emotions can enrich the therapeutic process, the child's welfare and best interests should always be paramount.
Prioritizing Self-Care: Dealing with children who may be facing emotional difficulties can be emotionally taxing. Child psychologists should prioritize self-care to ensure they can effectively manage their own emotions while catering to the emotional needs of their clients.
In summary, occasional emotional expression as a child psychologist is acceptable, provided it is done professionally, prioritizing the child's welfare and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers guidelines and resources for mental health professionals, including details on ethical practices and professional conduct in psychology.
Child Mind Institute: The Child Mind Institute provides insights and resources on child psychology, including articles on establishing rapport with children and handling emotions in therapeutic situations.
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): NASP sets the standards of practice for school psychologists, which can also apply to child psychologists working in educational environments. Their resources include information on emotional balance and self-care strategies for mental health professionals.
God Bless!
James Constantine Frangos.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Jerome’s Answer
I didn't end up using my Psychology Degree is this area, but do remember there was a code of ethics that aimed to offer a set of principles that guide the behavior of professional counselors. I know some of my professors share that sometimes child psychologist would sometimes need to have someone they spoke with as some of the kids they supported needed a fair amount of support.
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hello Ebonie,
Child psychologist must understand child development phases; emotions, feelings and conflicts that this being brings, and not under any circumstances become like a child. This professional must demonstrate empathy, patience, willingness to listen and understand conflicts, willingness to talk to parents and caretakers about the complaints brought by the child; ability to observe behaviors and conduct, because many times the child expresses your pain through physical symptoms, tone of voice, isolation from classmates, apathy, aggression, impulsive interaction, interaction in school activities such as drawings, ways to play games or toys, among other typical representations of the infant universe.
I hope I have answered your doubts. Success and good luck!!
Jyothi Thomas
Jyothi’s Answer
Hi Ebonie,
It is quite natural for a sensitive human being, who can understand and feel for others, to become emotional while listening to the pain and distress the other person is undergoing. It becomes too painful especially when it is a child. But as a child psychologist, being empathetic and approachable is more important. It is not right to be emotional at any cost in front of the child. The child might lose his confidence in you.
Good Luck !!!