Where to access Counselling
Access to Counselling
Government-funded mental health services are available, though you may need to complete paperwork or get a referral from a doctor. You might also be able to access free or affordable care through your work or a local charity.
Here are the routes you can take:
GP referral
The public health system offers fully funded mental health care. Depending on how your needs are assessed, you might be offered an extended GP or nurse appointment, or a brief intervention Health Improvement Practitioner(HiP) The availability of care varies between DHB and Primary Health Organisation (PHO) Often, you won’t get much say over whom you see or for how long.
Government-funded Community Mental Health and Addiction services are available through your local DHB for more severe problems. A good starting place is to discuss this with your GP.
If you don’t have a regular doctor, find your nearest medical practice online and give it a ring. Even if it’s not accepting patients, you’ll be pointed in the right direction.
Employee Assistance Programmes
Many larger workplaces have signed up for Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) offered by independent providers. A key benefit is free and confidential counselling sessions. You don’t need the problem to be work-related to qualify.
It’s worth checking if your employer is signed up for a service – there may be a link on your workplace’s intranet or information in your induction documents. The number of funded sessions is likely to be limited. You can contact the service directly to book an appointment.
Some workplaces will pay for staff to attend sessions with a private counsellor if they do not have an EAP provider. Check with your employer.
ACC claims
If you need counselling after experiencing sexual violence, ACC will fund 14 hours of one-on-one therapy. However, you’ll need to book an appointment with a therapist registered with the agency – there’s a list at findsupport.co.nz – and demand in some areas can result in some claimants waiting months.
Once you’ve met, the therapist will submit a form to ACC, so the agency will cover the cost (even for the appointments you’ve already had). If you’re assessed as requiring longer-term care, ACC will continue to fund counselling sessions and provide other support.
If you’ve made an ACC claim for a physical injury that’s affecting your mental wellbeing, the agency might refer you to a therapist and fund 10 counselling sessions (or more if needed).
Work and Income support
Those with a long-term condition, such as depression or stress, can apply for the Disability Allowance . The $70.04 weekly payment can be put towards 10 counselling sessions (more if deemed necessary). However, your household income needs to be under certain thresholds. For example, couples are required to earn less than $56,812.60 annually to qualify.
You’ll need to complete a form – with sections filled out by your GP and counsellor – and make an appointment with Work and Income (unless you already receive payments from the agency) first. Work and Income won’t retroactively cover counselling sessions. To apply, visit workandincome.govt.nz.
Health insurance claims
Some health insurers will pay for certain mental health services under their basic insurance policies. For example, Southern Cross will pay up to $3500 for specialist hospital care and $750 for psychiatric consultations. UniMed offers up to $5000 for specialist hospital care.
Day-to-day counselling is typically only available if you have a premium plan – such as Southern Cross’ UltraCare – or buy an add-on package, such as Nib’s EveryDay Cover.
If the issue relates to a surgical or cancer claim, some plans chip in for counselling.
Charity, iwi and youth services
Non-profit groups may offer free or low-cost counselling services in your area. These range from major nationwide charities, including Presbyterian Support and Asian Family Services , to local groups, such as women’s refuges.
Some counselling services offer free or low-cost care for young people. Often these are small non-profits operating in one town (such as 298 Youth Health in Christchurch or YOSS in Palmerston North), though Youthline has counselling centres in several cities.
Your GP or local Citizen’s Advice Bureau can point you towards this type of service in your region. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau Community Directory and the Family Services Directory both have searchable databases to help you find free or low-cost counsellors.
If you need specialist addiction support, the Alcohol Drug Helpline has a directory on its website .
Kaupapa Māori services often provide mental health and addiction support. Your local iwi will be able to point you in the right direction.
University students (excluding international students at some institutes) can access free support services on campus.