Who can refer to a psychologist?

We consider referrals from everyone, including individuals, parents, caregivers, schools, support agencies, employers, lawyers, police, medical practitioners, etc.

What does an assessment involve?

Assessment will vary depending on the problem.  Assessments range from being fairly straightforward (e.g., one session with the client to determine what they would like to work on and the development of a short report and treatment plan) to being more complicated (e.g., reading of historical documents, interviews with parents, school, observation of the child, behaviour recording by parents, psychometric testing, in-depth report and behaviour modification programme).  The assessment will depend on the complexity of the problem behaviour.  After the assessment, we will best know how to help you and can provide quotes for treatment and intervention services.

Why is it necessary to collect information on the behaviour before, during and after psychological help?

It is important to collect information on the behaviour (i.e., what it looks like, how often it happens, how long it lasts for) prior to any intervention, so that the psychologist has an idea of the underlying function of the behaviour, and what environmental factors may be contributing to the behaviour.  Collecting information during and after psychological help is important to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

What does therapy involve?

Therapy means one on one sessions with your psychologist where you talk about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.  This may include things that are making you upset, stopping you from being happy, or preventing you from reaching your goals in life.  Your psychologist will give you homework tasks like reading, diaries and activities to compete after the therapy session.  This will help you to learn and use the skills you are taught during the sessions.

What is a psychological intervention?

A psychological intervention is an action that is done to make something change.  This might be therapy sessions and homework assignments as described in the section above.  Another type of psychological intervention is when your psychologist creates a plan that tells you and your key support people things to do that will help to change your behaviour.  These are called behaviour modification programmes, behaviour management programmes, behavioural programmes, etc.  Our interventions use the empirically derived techniques of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to change behaviour.  Before your psychologist writes a plan like this, she will talk to you about it, explain why it is necessary and how much it is likely to cost.

What levels of service are offered?

The level of service required can range from a ‘watching brief’ through to an in-depth assessment and intervention.  For example, parents who are worried about their child may ask for occasional psychology sessions for themselves and their child at times when they are wanting advice in general or at a time of change (e.g., how to chose the best school to meet the needs of their child).  Sometimes an individual or significant other may be simply worried that a seemingly small problem will get bigger.  In such cases, a small assessment may be conducted, together with a short report or verbal opinion of recommendations of what to do next.  On the other hand, an individual may have a very problematic behaviour, that requires an in-depth assessment to determine the cause and the implementation of a psychological intervention to reduce the behaviour.

How can I find out more about the responsibilities and obligations of the psychologists in this practice?

Contact:

New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB)

New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS)

Health and Disability Commission (HDC)