What is an Educational Psychologist? How can they help my child?
- Dr Gemma Handelsman
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
Most parents I speak to have never heard of an Educational Psychologist (EP) until their child’s school mentions it, or they find themselves worrying about their child’s learning, friendships or wellbeing and wondering what to do next. If that’s you, you’re not alone.
This blog is here to explain what EPs do, when and why you might want to involve one, and what to expect from the process.
When speaking with a parent for the first time, one of the most frequent questions is simply:
What is an Educational Psychologist?
An Educational Psychologist is a qualified psychologist who specialises in child development, learning and wellbeing. We typically work with children and young people aged 3–18, although some EPs will work with young people up to age 25.
EPs are trained to understand how children learn, communicate, manage emotions and interact with others. At Handelsman Psychology we use psychology to help make learning easier and education more enjoyable for your child. We recognise that every child learns and develops in a different way – we are not here to find out ‘what’s wrong’ but rather to understand what is going on and how can we help.
EPs are not medical professionals, and we don’t diagnose autism or ADHD or prescribe medication, unless we work as part of a team with medical professionals. EPs are also different from clinical psychologists, who usually focus more on mental health and work in clinics or hospitals. EPs usually work in nurseries, schools, or other educational environments. We always work in partnership with the adults who know the child best.
When might my child need an EP?
Most families I have worked with first hear about EPs through their child’s school or nursery. A teacher or SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) might raise concerns about progress, friendships, behaviour or wellbeing. Or you might notice something yourself and ask for support.
Schools usually follow a process called the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. This means they will try out different strategies and monitor how your child responds. If concerns continue, they may suggest working with an EP to get a deeper understanding and plan next steps.
Sometimes we’re involved early on, helping schools and families understand a child’s needs before concerns escalate. Other times, we’re asked to contribute towards EHCP processes or support Annual Reviews.
What does an EP Assessment involve?
I often describe my role as building a jigsaw puzzle unique to your child. Each piece helps us understand their strengths and their support needs in relation to learning and wellbeing. I usually gather these pieces from:
parents and teachers: through conversations and questionnaires.
observations: watching your child in class or on the playground to see how they interact with their teachers, friends and the environment.
your child: meeting them to hear their views and do activities with them suited to their needs - these might include games, drawing, problem-solving tasks or informal assessments.
We will then meet, usually with your child’s teachers, to develop a shared understanding of ‘the whole picture’ and work together to create a plan for support.
How can you prepare for an EP assessment?
You don’t need to do anything special—but here are some tips that can help. Be ready to describe your child on their best day: their strengths, interests and what’s going well. Share things you’re worried about and give us examples from everyday life. And ask questions, both during the assessment and after you receive the report.
To prepare your child, we have several scripts you can use, such as:
“A visitor is coming to help us understand how you learn best. They might play games, ask questions or do some drawing or colouring with you. They may also visit your classroom or playground.”
What happens next?
EPs don’t focus on diagnosis—we focus on understanding. Our aim is to help you and your child’s teachers feel clearer, more confident and better equipped to support your child.
Together, we’ll usually come up with a few ideas to try – at home, at school or both.
Sometimes we might recommend another professional for a different assessment or support or help you decide what to focus on first. Sometimes, just having a shared understanding can make a significant difference.
The EP report will then include a description of your child’s strengths and support needs and any ideas and recommendations we have discussed together. It’s written for you and your child’s school and hopefully you can meet with the school to take the next steps together.
Want to know more?
If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from EP support, the first step would be to speak to your school’s SENCo or feel free to get in touch directly.
I know that seeking support can feel daunting, but at Handelsman Psychology we are here to listen, understand and help you feel clearer about what your child needs to thrive. You know your child best, and together we can build a clearer picture.
