HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury
Psychologists
Psychologists help people improve their emotional wellbeing. They help them address issues such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They also help them with other complex mental health conditions such as psychosis.
Psychologists can support people who are coping with significant illnesses. They can also help with rehabilitation as part of ACC claims.
Psychologists work in specific scopes of practice (areas of psychology). These scopes of practice include clinical psychologists, educational psychologists, counselling psychologists, neuropsychologists and general psychologists.
The general psychologist scope covers specialisations such as health psychologists, community psychologists and sports psychologists. Also, forensic psychologists and organisational psychologists.
You can find psychologists in hospitals and the public health system. They work in government agencies. For example, the Ministry of Education, the Department of Corrections and the Family Court. They are in ACC, non-government organisations and kaupapa Māori services. Also, private practices, schools and other academic institutions.
What psychologists do
Psychologists help people, whānau (families), organisations and communities to improve their wellbeing.
Psychologists can help with:
- managing everyday problems and distress
- mental health and wellbeing
- relationship and family counselling
- learning and educational difficulties
- sports performance
- rehabilitation after illness or injury
- organisational functioning
- specialist assessments, including for dementia, concussion and ADHD.
Finding a psychologist
Your general practice team can refer you to a psychologist. You can also contact a psychologist yourself.
You can find a psychologist through the New Zealand Psychological Society website. The New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists website can help you find a clinical psychologist. Many psychologists also have their own websites that you can find using a search engine.
Qualifications and Training
Psychologists must be registered under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act (2003). To be registered, they must have a master's or doctoral degree. They must also complete 1,500 hours of supervised practice.
Specialisations need more training and practice hours.
You can expect your psychologist to:
- be listed on the New Zealand Psychologists Board's register
- hold a current practising certificate
- meet high standards of competence and ethical practice
- have the specialist skills to address your needs
- obtain your informed consent for the services offered.
Cost of seeing a psychologist
If you meet the criteria to see a psychologist through the public health system, there is no cost.
It is often easier to see a psychologist privately, but there is a fee. This varies depending on the psychologist and their specialty. Contact the psychologist directly for fee information.
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can refer yourself to ACC. ACC covers the costs of treatment for covered injuries.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created August 2024.
SourcesReview key: HIHMI-138165
