1 answer
Updated
425 views
What is the most difficult thing about being a child psychologist?
I would like to get my doctorate and become a child psychologist who specializes in children who have experienced trauma.
Login to comment
1 answer
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Hi Rachel! Although I am no longer a practicing psychologist, I completed my doctorate in clinical psychology and spent several years working with children - including children who had experienced childhood sexual abuse and other trauma. In my experience, the most difficult thing about working with this population is to ensure that you are able to listen empathically but also separate yourself from the stories that you are hearing. Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is a real thing that many clinicians experience, and it's important to put safeguards in place to protect yourself and ensure that you are able to continue taking care of yourself while supporting others.