How An Educational Psychologist Can Support Learning

The science of psychology can encompass many areas of study. Some focus on exploring the human mind, while others place a more practical emphasis on helping people heal, function, and grow. Educational psychology tends to fall somewhere in between. This discipline primarily aims to understand and improve the methods by which we transmit information to future generations. 

Educational psychologists typically pursue advanced degrees in psychology with a focus on the cognitive, developmental, neurological, and behavioral factors that drive effective learning and teaching. They may conduct studies in schools to assess how various teaching techniques affect academic outcomes or assist students whose psychological or developmental difficulties are obstacles to educational success. Some parents recruit educational psychologists to work with school systems and ensure their children are getting the help they need to learn. Parents can also benefit from seeking professional support themselves. This may enable them to help their child succeed throughout their school years and beyond.

What does an educational psychologist do?

In practice, this often involves synthesizing information from many different branches of psychology, such as the following:

• Developmental psychology: The science of how a person’s mind develops from the womb to adulthood can shed light on how they learn and which educational strategies are appropriate for specific age groups.
• Cognitive psychology: This branch of psychology usually examines how people think, solve problems, acquire information, and understand their world — questions at the heart of educational psychology.
• Organizational psychology: Understanding how people think and behave in organizations can clarify how to structure school systems for effective learning. 
• Behavioral psychology: Learning about how environmental and social factors influence behavior may be crucial for helping students succeed. 

In the United States, most educational psychologists focus on the K-12 years, when students typically acquire learning habits and foundational knowledge that may shape their entire educational careers. Others may study how learning disabilities affect people of all ages or investigate techniques related to higher education and lifelong learning. 

Many educational psychologists concentrate on research, examining the effectiveness of various learning and teaching methods. Others may work in school systems to help teachers and administrators improve educational outcomes. An educational psychologist in individual practice might also help parents whose children are experiencing learning challenges.

Educational psychologists vs. school psychologists

Some people hearing the term “educational psychologist” might assume it refers to someone who works in the school setting, helping children who are struggling with academic or behavioral problems. However, a professional in that role would be more accurately referred to as a school psychologist, a distinct specialty within health service psychology.

While a school psychologist typically gains knowledge about educational psychology as part of their education, school psychology is usually seen as a separate field. Accreditation as a school psychologist generally requires at least a specialist degree in school psychology, and many professionals in this field pursue doctorate-level degrees.

Focus of educational psychology and school psychology

In general, educational psychology has a strong focus on the learning process. It’s normally most concerned with how people acquire and transmit knowledge. In contrast, school psychology is primarily intended to support all aspects of a student’s emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal well-being, and may involve things like: 

• Interventions to resolve disruptive or unhealthy behavior
• Counseling students with mental health challenges
• Supporting self-esteem, psychological adjustment, and overall well-being
• Recognizing and addressing abuse
• Helping students through emotional crises or life disruptions
• Educating on wellness topics, such as sexual health

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These functions aren’t usually part of the day-to-day work of an educational psychologist.

How to become an educational psychologist

Readers interested in pursuing a career as an educational psychologist will generally need to obtain at least a master’s degree. This is a requirement for licensure in most parts of the U.S. Planning your path from the undergraduate level onward may increase the likelihood of successful completion of this goal.

Bachelor’s degree in psychology

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology may make it easier to enter the graduate programs that interest you most, especially if your primary interest is in research. Those looking to work in the educational system might major in education instead, but they can still likely benefit from a minor or concentration in an area like developmental psychology. 

Choosing a graduate program to be an educational psychologist

You can choose a graduate program based on your primary interests and long-term goals. If you hope to partner with educators to improve teaching strategies, choosing a school with a strong reputation in fields like organizational learning and educational development could be a good idea. If you’re more interested in the cognitive processes underlying learning, you may be better off seeking a respected cognitive psychology or developmental psychology program. 

Doctoral degrees for educational psychologists

Many educational psychologists obtain doctoral degrees, especially if they intend to work with families to address learning disabilities like dyslexia. You may also need to meet your state’s licensing requirements, which typically involve passing standardized exams and completing a minimum number of practice hours under the supervision of a more senior psychologist.

How can an educational psychologist help you?

Educational psychologists working with school systems or in individual practices may offer various services to support educational achievement:

• Conducting assessments to identify learning disabilities, developmental issues, or neurodivergent thinking styles that might impact educational achievement
• Developing personalized interventions and individualized education programs (IEPs) for children with ADHD or other conditions that can involve learning difficulties
• Coordinating with schools to help them implement educational accommodations and learning plans for students
• Training educators on novel teaching approaches based on findings from educational psychology and human development research
• Coaching families on study habits, learning tips, motivational strategies, and other practices that may support better educational outcomes
• Aiding adult learners who are having difficulty reaching their educational goals

For mental health support and challenges interfering with learning

Many parents find it helpful to work with an educational psychologist when they sense their children aren’t getting enough support from the school system for their academic struggles. Educational psychologists may also be able to help when you suspect you or your child might have a neurological or developmental challenge that’s interfering with effective learning.

How to find an educational psychologist near you

One of the simplest ways to find a licensed educational psychologist may be to request a referral. Many people begin the search by asking their primary care doctor or their child’s pediatrician to recommend someone with relevant expertise. Counselors or school psychologists in your child’s school system may also be able to offer recommendations.

Community organizations

Other places to look for assistance may include local community organizations, such as parent groups, disability rights organizations, or educational advocacy networks. If you’re part of a religious congregation, your clergy members might also know developmental and educational psychologists in the area. 

Maintain your mental health to support your child’s learning

Talk through your worries with a therapist

Mental health support for educational complications

In addition to finding an educational psychologist to support your child’s learning, you might want to make it a priority to care for your own mental health. Research suggests that children’s educational attainment can be negatively impacted when their parents are experiencing symptoms of psychiatric disorders like anxiety. Working with a therapist might help you manage your emotional health so that you can effectively support your loved one’s learning. 

Online therapy

Some people find it difficult to incorporate therapy into their busy schedules, especially when they’re also trying to assist their children with academic difficulties. Online therapy can make this easier since it generally requires no commute and often offers more flexible scheduling options. Many clients report that this approach to mental health treatment is significantly more convenient than its in-person counterpart.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Evidence increasingly suggests that talking with a therapist online can be as effective as receiving care in person. A systematic research review from 2016 found no difference between face-to-face treatment and online therapy for anxiety and concluded that online therapy “appears to be an efficacious treatment for anxiety in adults.” If you’re experiencing stress and worry over your child’s academic struggles, web-based counseling could help you stay healthy and positive.