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Educational and developmental psychologists assist children and adults with learning and developmental issues by providing assessment, intervention and counselling services.

Further information is available at the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists website.

What is an educational and developmental psychologist?

Educational and developmental psychologists are concerned with how people develop and learn throughout their lives. They work in many, different settings with individuals, couples, groups and organisations. As a result they have various titles, such as school psychologist, guidance officer, child and adolescent counsellor.

Areas that educational and developmental psychologists provide assistance include:

Early childhood - Parents may seek help to deal with:

  • problems of attachment
  • difficult temperament or behaviour
  • concerns with development
  • disabilities
  • sibling rivalry

School years - Parents, teachers or children may seek help to deal with:

  • problems of transition
  • school avoidance
  • learning difficulties
  • poor peer relationships
  • low self-esteem
  • behaviour problems

Adolescence - Parents and others may seek help to deal with:

  • conflict between adolescent and parent
  • peer pressure
  • career guidance
  • school to work transition
  • sexuality issues
  • drug involvement
  • identity issues 

Adults - Partners or employers may seek assistance with:

  • parenting
  • peer pressure
  • career guidance
  • school to work transition
  • sexuality issues
  • drug involvement
  • identity issues

Older adults - Elderly people or their adult children may seek information or assistance with:

  • healthy ageing
  • decline in functioning
  • dependency
  • issues of loss or grief 
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Skills and expertise

Educational and developmental psychologists provide skills such as:

  • problem identification
  • assessment
  • intervention
  • counselling
  • consultation
  • program development and evaluation
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Qualifications

All psychologists must have at least four years of approved university training in psychology followed by two years of supervised professional experience in order to be registered with their State or Territory Psychologists Registration Board.

To become a member of the APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists, psychologists are required to undertake additional specialised postgraduate training and two years of specialist supervision. APS College Membership also requires members to maintain a program of on-going professional development.

As a condition of APS Membership, psychologists adhere strictly to professional and ethical guidelines. These are set and monitored by the APS and the Registration Boards in each State and Territory.

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