How To Write a Child Psychologist Resume (With Example)

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Updated March 26, 2025

Psychologists can use their expertise in human behavior to treat various demographics. One specialty these professionals often pursue is child psychology, as many children require mental health services to overcome trauma and build healthy relationships. Learning how to write a resume for this career can help you highlight your abilities to work with children and increase your job prospects in a competitive field.In this article, we explain how to write a child psychologist resume and provide a template and example for reference.

Why is a child psychologist resume important?

A child psychologist resume is important because it can help you obtain a career where you can support children. In addition to looking for expertise in mental health, employers want to hire child psychologists with experience in this specific demographic. Youth mental health services require a particularly patient and understanding approach, skills that you can highlight on your resume. Additionally, your resume can demonstrate your ability to communicate with families and empathize with challenging childhood situations.Related: How To Become a Child Psychologist

How to write a child psychologist resume

Here's how to write a child psychologist resume effectively:

1. Include a header

At the top of your child psychologist resume, include a header with your name on the first line. On the line underneath, type your phone number, email address and location. If you have a professional blog or website for your practice, you can include the URL in your header.Related: How Much Does a Child Psychologist Earn? Average Salary

2. Write a professional summary

Title the next section "Professional Summary" and summarize your qualifications in two to three sentences. Ideal skills to mention include diagnosing mental health issues and developing care plans that suit the patient's needs. You can also emphasize your patience by alluding to your experience working with children.Related: What Is a Child Psychologist?

3. Describe your work experience

In the "Work Experience" section, include separate entries for past roles as they relate to child psychology. Each entry can include the job title, employment dates, company name and location. Additionally, use bullet points to describe duties like educating patients about their mental health and collaborating with psychiatrists. Ideal roles include any internships, fellowships or positions relating to psychology or child care.Related: The Difference Between Adult and Child Psychologists

4. List relevant skills

Child psychologists use abilities that fit in the "Skills" section but try to include those most relevant to the job description. Employers often look for soft skills like active listening, communication and patience that are particularly important when working with children. You can also include skills related to mental health services like the treatment of behavioral disorders.Related: What Can You Do With a Degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology?

5. Include an "Education" section

While some employers allow candidates with master's degrees to become mental health counselors, a doctorate is necessary if you plan to be a licensed psychologist. In the "Education" section, begin an entry by typing the name of the degree on the first line. Ideal specialties include child psychology and developmental psychology. Underneath, type the name of the institution.Related: 11 Types of Children's Psychology Jobs To Consider

6. List certifications

States require child psychologists to be licensed, so ensure you list your state license and the date you received or renewed it. Employers also require certification through the American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology or the American Board of Professional Psychology. Like with your license, include the name of the certification and the date you received or renewed it.Related: 19 Different Types of Psychology Majors

Template for a child psychologist resume

Here's a template for a child psychologist resume:[Full Name]
[Phone number] | [Professional email address] | [City, State] | [Professional website]Professional Summary[Brief summary that mentions your core competencies, work experience and career achievements as they relate to child psychology]Work Experience[Job Title], [Start date–End date]
[Company Name], [Location]

[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

[Job Title], [Start date–End date]
[Company Name], [Location]

[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

[Job Title], [Start date–End date]
[Company Name], [Location]

[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

Skills[Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill]Education[Degree earned]
[Institution name], [Graduation year]Certifications

[Certification, with date received/renewed]
[Certification, with date received/renewed]

Download Resume Template

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.Related: What Can You Do With a Degree in Child Psychology? (10 Jobs)

Example of a child psychologist resume

Here's an example of a child psychologist resume using the template above:Lawrence Watts
555-851-3566 | lawrencewatts@email.com | Norfolk, VA | lawrencewattsportfolio.comProfessional SummaryChild psychologist with seven years of experience looking to help children overcome trauma through empathy, patience and expertise in behavioral therapyWork ExperienceChild Psychologist, July 2019–Current
Norfolk Developmental Psychology Clinic, Norfolk, VA

Diagnosing mental health conditions in children
Collaborating with psychiatrists to determine appropriate treatment plans
Communicate patients' needs with schools and other care facilities
Leading individual and group therapy sessions
Administering tests to categorize mental health symptoms

Child Psychologist Fellow, June 2017–June 2019
Norfolk Developmental Psychology Clinic, Norfolk, VA

Assisted licensed psychologists with mental health testing
Provided hands-on therapy to facilitate development
Helped develop treatment plans based on individual client needs

Child Psychology Practicum, May 2015–May 2017
Virginia School of Developmental Psychology, Norfolk, VA

Observed licensed psychologists interact with patients
Collaborated on developmental psychology research projects
Helped maintain good communication between the clinic and clients' families

SkillsPatience | Empathy | Communication | Active listening | Treatment of behavioral disordersEducationDoctorate of Developmental Psychology
Virginia School of Developmental PsychologyCertifications

Licensed child psychologist in the state of Virginia, renewed 2021
American Board of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, renewed 2021

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