Transforming Education: An Interview With An Educational Psychologist
11 Sept, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- What the role of an Educational Psychologist consists of.
- How to keep up to date with the changes within educational psychology.
- Rewarding aspects of working as an Educational Psychologist.
- Where the latest Educational Psychologist jobs are and how to apply for them.
Educational Psychologists play a vital role in supporting young people and children with SEND to better their learning and communication skills as well as social and emotional wellbeing.
According to Ed Psych News, the EP workforce insights research report - June 2023, found that 69% of Educational Psychologists were not very confident or not confident at all that they would be able to continue to meet demand for educational psychology services if funding, training and service delivery models stayed the same.
We recently caught up with Educational Psychologist, Anishma, to discover how she deals with the pressure of the role with the current challenges Educational Psychologists are facing.
Tell us about your career so far
I pursued MSc Psychology at Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies in Bangalore in 2019. My experience ranges from working as an Educational Psychologist at Anthony Claret School to internships in child and clinical psychology.
This has mainly involved counselling, assessments and formulating different intervention strategies aimed at assisting students with academic, personal and behavioural problems.
Furthermore, I’ve handled cases of children with learning disabilities, PTSD, autism and ADHD and this has been achieved through cooperation with multidisciplinary teams to design appropriate treatment plans.
What does the role of an Educational Psychologist consist of?
Educational psychology is my field of specialisation and I offer psychological support services to the students in relation to their academic performance and emotional health.
These services include conducting assessments and evaluations, offering individual and group counselling as well as developing intervention strategies that can boost student’s welfare and achievements.
Moreover, I arrange and guide play therapy sessions for children, helping them to express their emotions effectively while they cope with anxiousness.
What inspired you to become an Educational Psychologist?
My motivation to become an Educational Psychologist started with a strong feeling of wanting to make a difference in the lives of young people and children.
I’ve always had this longing to foster personal development as well as promote positive teaching and healing environments.
It was my experience during my internship where I closely supported children with mental issues that confirmed my devotion for this profession.
What part of working in educational psychology do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part of my work is seeing the tangible improvements in the lives of students I support.
Whether it’s through counselling or tailored interventions, witnessing a child overcome their challenges and succeed academically personally brings immense satisfaction. It's fulfilling to know that my efforts contribute to creating a supportive and empowering environment for these students.
What challenges do you commonly face in your role and how do you overcome them?
One of the common challenges I face is addressing the diverse needs of students within the constraints of time and resources. Each student is unique, requiring personalised strategies which can be demanding.
To overcome this, I prioritise effective communication with teachers, parents and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a collaborative approach to each case. Additionally, ongoing professional development helps me stay equipped with the latest strategies and interventions.
What advice would you give to aspiring Educational Psychologists?
For those aspiring to become Educational Psychologists, I would advise focusing on gaining a solid foundation in both theory and practical experience.
Internships and hands-on roles are invaluable as they provide real-world insights into the challenges and rewards of the profession.
Building strong communication skills and a compassionate approach is also crucial as most of the work involves collaborating with various stakeholders to support students effectively.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities that make a successful Educational Psychologist?
Key qualities of a successful Educational Psychologist include empathy, strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively. Problem-solving skills and adaptability are also essential as the role often involves addressing complex and varied challenges.
A commitment to continuous learning and staying informed about the latest developments in psychology and education is equally important.
How do you keep up to date with changes in the industry?
I keep up to date with changes in the industry by engaging in continuous professional development, attending workshops, seminars and staying connected with the latest research in psychology and education.
Networking with other professionals in the field also provides valuable insights and updates on emerging trends and best practices.
How do you deal with stress or the pressures of your job?
Dealing with the stress of my role involves maintaining a healthy work-life balance and practising self-care. I find that staying organised and prioritising tasks helps manage the workload effectively.
Additionally, I rely on peer support and professional supervision to discuss challenging cases, which helps alleviate stress and gain new perspectives.
Educational Psychologist jobs
If you’re searching for your next Educational Psychologist job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Struggling to recruit Educational Psychologists?
As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs.
If you’re struggling to recruit, we have exclusive access to some of the most experienced interim Educational Psychologists in the UK.
Simply contact Natalie Boaler on 01772 954200 to discover how we can help.
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the healthcare sector.
If you work in the healthcare sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
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