What is psychology?
This is a question which has been asked in many disciplines and across a long time period. For the purposes of providing a working definition we define psychology as the study of human behaviour and development. It includes the study of thoughts, feelings, relationships, learning and development. Applied psychologists aim to use psychology to support people in a variety of ways and across a range of domains. Registered psychologists should be certified by the Health Professions Council and may additionally have chartered status with the British Psychological Society.
What are Educational Psychologists?
Educational Psychologists focus upon the development of children, young people and young adults seeking to support their needs across the 0-25 age range. They apply psychological theory and research to support children and young people in a range of settings such as schools, nurseries, community centres and within their home or care environments. Educational Psychologists commonly have backgrounds in teaching and education and are extensively trained with a first degree in psychology and further professional training to masters or doctorate level.
According to Fallon et.al. (2010);
‘EPs [Educational Psychologists] are fundamentally scientist-practitioners who utilise, for the benefit of children and young people, psychological skills, knowledge and understanding through the functions of consultation, assessment, intervention, research and training, at organisational, group or individual level across educational, community and care settings, with a variety of role partners.’ (p.4)’
Fallon, K., Woods, K & Rooney, S. (2010) A discussion of the developing role of educational psychologists within children’s services. Educational psychology in practice, 26, 1, 1-23
Who would we typically work with?
We work collaboratively with children, young people and young adults individually and in groups. We also work with a range of stakeholders and clients including educational professionals, health and social care professionals and parents and carers.
How do we work and what can we do to help?
We work in a vast range of ways using techniques such as the following to support children, young people and young adults:
- Consultation
- Observation
- Assessment
- Therapeutic intervention
- Systemic work with whole organisations or departments
- Training and professional development
- Professional Supervision
- Bespoke service level agreements with individual organisations
We can draw upon psychology to help to navigate clients through a situation or difficulty using a range of techniques and skills. We frequently seek to help our clients understand and make sense of complex issues or needs in order to help them to maximise their potential for the future whether that be at an organisational, individual or family level.
Examples of types of work we might undertake
Assessing and recognising unidentified learning difficulties and providing advice and support for educational provision
Facilitating relationships between groups of people or individuals to support social and emotional development.
Direct intervention work with children, young people and families applying techniques such as Video Interactive Guidance, Motivational Interviewing or Solution Focussed approaches.
Supporting a department within an organisation working as a consultant to monitor, review and evaluate performance to maximise proposed outcomes.
How are Educational Psychologists accredited?
An undergraduate degree in psychology which gives graduate basis for registration as recognised by the British Psychological Society
Typically a minimum of two years professional experience and professional qualification in an educational, care or other environment working directly with children and young people e.g PGCE and teaching experience
A British Psychological Society accredited postgraduate qualification in educational psychology to either masters or doctorate level leading to registered status with the Health Professions Council. All registered practitioner psychologists are listed on the Health Professions Council website this can be checked by members of the public at www.hpc.co.uk .
If you think that your child may benefit from an assessment with an Educational Psychologist, Integrated Treatment Services could be of help. Contact us here: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry
Dr Emma Rowley, January 2012
Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Services is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.
