Skip to content
Cover letter example

Psychologist cover letter example

Psychologist posts in institutions often attract many applicants. The person reading your letter, often the head of department or the institution director with the medical lead, wants to see that you understand their population, how you position yourself in a multidisciplinary team and what you would concretely bring.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Application for the psychologist position (half-time), [Institution name]

Dear [Mr/Ms Last name],

I would like to apply for the half-time psychologist post at [Institution name]. I hold a Master in clinical psychology from [University] and I am registered as a psychologist. For the past [x] years I have worked in an IME welcoming children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities.

In that post I carry out developmental assessments, individual follow-up and monthly parent groups. A large part of my work is supporting the educators: we review each child's individual project together, and I help translate assessment results into practical adjustments for daily routines. I am trained in the PEP-3 and in parent training approaches.

Your institution is opening a unit for adolescents, which interests me particularly, as the transition to adulthood is a period when families feel the most alone. I would like to contribute to building that project with the team.

I would be pleased to present my experience in more detail during an interview. I can be reached at [phone] or [email].

Yours sincerely,[First name Last name]

What to highlight

  • Your Master's specialty and registration
  • Experience with the population concerned
  • Your therapeutic orientation and assessment tools
  • How you work with the rest of the team
  • Your understanding of the institution's project

Mistakes to avoid

  • Writing a theoretical essay on psychology instead of describing your practice.
  • Not mentioning the population or the institution's project.
  • Presenting yourself as working alone, when institutions recruit for teamwork.
  • Forgetting your registration and the exact title of your Master.

Your job search, on autopilot

Start my psychologist job scan

JobFast searches the major job boards for listings that fit you, scores each one out of 10 and prepares a tailored CV and cover letter. You review, you approve.

Start for free

No credit card · No account to get started

Frequently asked questions

What should I stress for a post in a nursing home (EHPAD)?

Show that you can assess cognitive decline, support residents through admission and grief, and work with families who feel guilty about the move. Mention support for the care staff, such as case discussions after a difficult death, since EHPAD directors often recruit a psychologist for the team as much as for residents.

Should I mention my therapeutic orientation?

Yes, but in a way that shows openness. Say which approach you mainly use and which tools you have added, and show that you adapt to the team's culture. Some institutions are strongly marked by one school, so reading their project beforehand helps.

How do I apply for a school psychologist post?

Psychologists of the Éducation nationale are recruited through a competitive exam, although contract posts also exist. For a contract post, write to the académie's services and highlight your experience with children, schools and orientation, as well as your assessment skills.

More cover letter examples