Working with children and teens is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to shape the future.
Every day, counselors, social workers and child psychologists embark on a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, aiming to positively impact young lives. Working with children and teenagers offers a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. The influence you exert can have a huge impact on a young person’s life, often in ways that last a lifetime.
Whether it’s through teaching, mentoring, coaching, or counseling, the chance to guide, inspire, and support the younger generation is both a privilege and a responsibility.
What Personality Traits Should People Who Work With Kids and Teens Have?
Careers in psychology and social work focusing on children and adolescents demand a unique set of personality traits for success. Individuals in these roles profoundly impact young lives, and certain characteristics can significantly enhance their effectiveness. Below are some key traits essential for thriving in this career path:
- Patience: Essential for managing challenging behaviors and providing the time and space for children and teens to learn and grow at their own pace.
- Excellent Communication Skills: Involves clear, concise information delivery, active listening, and adjusting communication styles for different ages and developmental stages.
- Positive Demeanor: Creates a supportive and encouraging environment, boosting self-esteem and motivation in young people.
- Resilience: Key to handling emotional challenges and maintaining well-being in a demanding field, enabling the provision of high-quality care and support.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of young people to foster trust and a safe space for expression.
- Creativity: Useful in problem-solving, engaging learning activities, and conflict management, enhancing connections with young minds.
- Adaptability: Allows for effective adjustment of strategies to meet the evolving needs of growing children and teens.
- Conflict Resolution: Aids in mediating disputes and guiding young individuals towards peaceful solutions, particularly in group settings.
- Cultural Competence: Important for effectively interacting with children and teens from diverse backgrounds and communities.
- Active Listening: Involves understanding the underlying messages and emotions in a child or teen’s communication.
- Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to guide, inspire, and positively influence young individuals.
- Organizational Skills: Crucial for managing time, resources, and activities, particularly in educational and group contexts.
Do I Have To Work With Both Children and Teens With These Degrees?
After your social work or psychology training, you don’t necessarily have to work with both children and teenagers. However, you’ll most likely learn to work with both age groups.
Which ages you work with depends on the type of career you choose and the location in which you work.
Social Work and Psychology Jobs Working With Children and Young People
There are many jobs working with children and teens that individuals with psychology or social work degrees can pursue. Review 12 in-demand social work careers with children that help them deal with life’s challenges.
1. Art, Music, or Drama Therapist
Art, music, and drama therapists use the arts to help people heal or develop skills. These jobs working with children adapt their skills to the unique individuals’ or groups’ needs.
Art Therapist
Using visual art to help with motor skills, sensory issues, uncovering difficult thoughts and emotions, and getting around verbal and writing challenges—allows kids to express ideas they may have previously been unable to.
Music Therapist
Utilizing vocal and instrumental music to assist kids with breath control (which helps with things like asthma), improve communication skills, and gain better motor function.
Drama Therapist
Combining play, engaging in and watching stories, and improvisation to help kids develop or improve interpersonal and motor skills and deal with trauma.
Fast Facts About Art, Music, and Drama Therapists
Degree Needed
Art therapists need master’s degrees and relevant credentials or licenses.
Music therapists must have bachelor’s degrees and 1,200 hours of clinical training (credentials preferred).
Registered drama therapists need master’s degrees and certifications.
2021 Median Salary
Art and music therapists—$59,500.
Data unavailable for drama therapists.
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
Art and music therapists—10%-15%.
Data unavailable for drama therapists.
Where They Work
Art, music, and drama therapists work in a variety of environments such as hospitals, schools, juvenile detention centers, refugee centers, and residential facilities, among many others.
You can find more information about these careers via the American Art Therapy Association, American Music Therapy Association, and North American Drama Therapy Association.
2. Child Protective Services Specialist
This type of social worker, sometimes considered an investigator, protects vulnerable children and intervenes in abuse or neglect cases. These social workers should be great problem solvers and work well with different groups of people. They must also advocate for their clients at the local, state, and national levels.
Fast Facts About Child Protective Services Specialists
Degree Needed
Requirements vary by state, with some requiring social work bachelor’s degrees and others mandating master’s degrees in social work or closely related fields. Licensed clinical social work (LCSW) credentials are recommended.
2021 Median Salary
$49,150 (includes child, family, and school social workers)
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
12% (includes all social workers)
Where They Work
Most people in this career work for state or county departments of children and family services.
For additional information on becoming a child protective services specialist, check out the Child Welfare Specialty Practice Section page on the National Association of Social Workers website.
3. Child Psychologist
Child psychologists diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders in children or study children’s and adolescents’ psychological development. They typically work as either developmental or clinical psychologists. They may observe and interview children, test for behavioral patterns, and administer psychotherapy.
Fast Facts About Child Psychologists
Degree Needed
In general, child psychologists need a doctoral degree in psychology, preferably an APA accredited PsyD. Most states require psychologists to be licensed to practice.
2021 Median Salary
$81,040 (for all psychologists)
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
8% (for all psychologists)
Where They Work
Many psychologists work independently, often running their own practices. Others work in hospitals, group homes, juvenile justice facilities, or anywhere else you may find kids who are at risk.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a child psychologist, consult the American Psychological Association‘s Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
4. Child Welfare Social Worker
Unlike child protective services specialists, child welfare social workers—also called case managers—handle CPS situations after the initial investigations are completed or work in different areas, such as immigrant and refugee services. For those working with kids and families who have been investigated, the children may be under state care, or their families may require intensive supervision and assistance to prevent crisis situations from happening again.
Fast Facts About Child Welfare Social Workers
Degree Needed
A child welfare social worker should have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field.
2021 Median Salary
$49,150 (includes child, family, and school social workers)
- Discover: Social Worker Salary Guide
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
12% (for all social workers)
Where They Work
Child welfare social workers may work in settlement houses, child welfare and human service agencies, or community development organizations. They may split their time between the office and meeting with clients.
For more information on a career in child welfare social work, look to the Child Welfare Specialty Practice Section page on the National Association of Social Workers website.
5. Family Therapist
Family therapists, often called marriage and family therapists, help people process emotions and manage their family problems. These professionals work with clients to develop coping mechanisms and strategies to change harmful behavior and thoughts or deal with specific challenges, such as deaths in the family.
Family therapists should be great listeners who can give their clients their full attention. They’ll often deal with people undergoing stressful situations, so they need to be compassionate and understanding.
Fast Facts About Family Therapists
Degree Needed
Family therapists need a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, psychology, or a related field. All states require family therapists to be licensed, with additional requirements varying.
2021 Median Salary
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
16%
Where They Work
Family therapists often work in private practice. Others may work in mental health programs, substance abuse treatment centers, or hospitals.
You can learn more about a career in family therapy at the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. You can find a list of accredited programs on the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education website.
6. Healthcare Social Worker
This kind of social worker helps families and individuals cope with chronic or terminal illnesses. They offer counseling and referrals to other services like support groups and home healthcare. These social workers help healthcare professionals understand how illnesses impact a patient’s emotional health.
Healthcare social workers need strong interpersonal skills to establish productive relationships with both clients and physicians. They need to be compassionate, patient, and understanding.
Fast Facts About Healthcare Social Workers
Degree Needed
This occupation requires a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field at a minimum.
2021 Median Salary
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
12% (includes all social workers)
Where They Work
Healthcare social workers may work in hospitals or outpatient facilities. They typically divide their time between the office and meeting with clients.
For more information on healthcare social work, look to the Health Specialty Practice Section on the National Association of Social Workers website and the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care.
7. Juvenile Justice Specialist
Juvenile justice specialists often work as probation officers, parole officers, pretrial services officers, or correctional treatment specialists. Their work’s main component is to assist in the rehabilitation of youth in custody or on probation or parole.
Juvenile justice specialists should be good decision-makers to determine the best rehabilitation pathways for offenders. It’s so easy for the world at large to forget these are kids, so be prepared to fight for them.
Fast Facts About Juvenile Justice Specialists
Degree Needed
A bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or a similar field is typically required for this profession. Juvenile justice specialists receive training specific to working with youth. They may need to pass a certification test.
2021 Median Salary
$60,250 (for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, inclusive of those who work with adults)
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
4%
Where They Work
They usually work in correctional facilities or high-crime areas.
If you’re interested in becoming a juvenile justice specialist, check out the American Probation and Parole Association and the American Correctional Association for more information.
8. School Counselor
School counselors help students improve or develop academic and social skills. They identify issues impacting school performance and help students reach their educational goals. These professionals need to have strong analytical skills to evaluate students’ interests and abilities and be ready to handle interpersonal or mental health crises at a moment’s notice.
Fast Facts About School Counselors
Degree Needed
School counselors need a master’s degree in school counseling or a similar field and a state-issued license to practice.
2021 Median Salary
$60,510 (includes both school and career counselors)
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
11% (includes both school and career counselors)
Where They Work
School counselors work in public and private schools, advising elementary, middle, and high school students.
For additional resources on becoming a school counselor, check out the American School Counselor Association.
9. School Psychologist
School psychologists help students with educational challenges, mental health issues, developmental disorders, and more. They work with students, families, and the children’s in-school teams to identify behavioral and learning difficulties and evaluate academic performance. School psychologists should be patient, observant, and have excellent communication and analytical skills.
Fast Facts About School Psychologists
Degree Needed
School psychologists need education specialization or doctoral degrees. They also need to be certified or licensed to work.
2021 Median Salary
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
8% (for all psychologists)
Where They Work
They work in elementary and secondary schools, including alternative schools.
More information on becoming a school psychologist can be found at the National Association of School Psychologists website.
10. School Social Worker
Consider school social work jobs with kids to work with teachers, administrators, school counselors, psychologists, and families to improve students’ academic performance and social development. They may also interact with juvenile justice or family services departments if the children or their families are in need. These social workers also address issues such as misbehavior, frequent absences, bullying, and teenage pregnancy.
School social workers may have large caseloads, so they should be incredibly organized and able to work under stressful conditions. These professionals need to be resourceful and innovative and have strong communication skills.
Fast Facts About School Social Workers
Degree Needed
School social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related subject. Most states require school social workers to be licensed or certified.
2021 Median Salary
$49,150 (for child, family, and school social workers)
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
12% (includes all social workers)
Where They Work
School social workers may be assigned to multiple schools within a district and frequently travel, or they could work exclusively with one school.
To learn more about becoming a school social worker, check out the School Social Work Association of America.
11. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor
These professional counselors work closely with individuals dealing with behavioral problems, mental health issues, drug addictions, or alcoholism. Some mental health counselors work specifically with children and teens, while others serve a broader range of community members.
As a counselor in one of these specialties, you’ll work closely with clients to monitor their behaviors, assess their treatment readiness, and identify obstacles to recovery.
Fast Facts About Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Degree Needed
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like psychology, at a minimum. Many receive a master’s degree and license.
2021 Median Salary
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
23%
Where They Work
Counselors work in prisons, community health centers, mental health centers, and private practices.
12. Developmental Psychologist
Children and teenagers can experience a significant number of emotional and psychological changes. During these critical stages of development, developmental psychologists offer support and resources.
As a developmental psychologist, you may work directly with children or as a researcher to identify key problems and solutions in these transitional phases of life. You must obtain a state license to work with patients in a clinical or counseling setting.
Fast Facts About Development Psychologists
Degree Needed
Typically a doctoral degree in psychology, such as a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree. Must have state licensure to practice.
2021 Median Salary
$81,040 (for all psychologists)
2020-2030 Anticipated Growth
8% (includes all psychologists)
Where They Work
Developmental psychologists typically work in schools, clinics, universities, hospitals, or private practices.
Additional Child Psychology Careers
These top 12 jobs working with children and teens are just a few examples of child psychology careers you may wish to pursue. Here are a few additional options as you look to find a way to use your child psychology expertise:
- Speech-language pathologist: Work closely with children and teenagers who have difficulties forming particular language sounds and patterns. Assess, diagnose, and treat communication, speech, and language disorders.
- Psychology professor: Inspire the next generation of child psychologists as a postsecondary psychology teacher. You may be able to start your career with a master’s in psychology, but most professors have a Ph.D. or other terminal degree.
- Special education teacher: With a teaching license and a bachelor’s degree, you can work with children who have emotional, mental, physical, learning, and developmental disabilities.
Additional Social Work Jobs Working With Children and Teens
In addition to child psychology careers, there are also many social work jobs working with children and teens you can explore that involve teens and kids:
- Occupational therapist: This role usually requires a master’s degree and a license. Once qualified, you can work with children to assist them in fully participating in basic activities at home and school.
- Recreation therapist: These social work jobs with kids involve working with individuals to help them overcome developmental delays or physical challenges. As a recreation therapist, you’ll typically use games, crafts, dance, music, and sports as you work with patients.
- Family case manager: Work closely with families to identify the support and services they need. As a case manager, you’ll assess progress and recommend treatment plans for children, teenagers, and their families.
- Social service assistant: These in-demand jobs working with children require you to research services, identify needs, and work within the child welfare system to assist families and communities in need.
Read More: Types of Social Workers Guide