Mental health professionals

Mental health professionals can help with:

• your emotional wellbeing
• managing mental health conditions.

Mental health conditions include:

• addiction
• anxiety
• bipolar disorder
• depression
• eating disorders
• psychosis.

They can also help with issues such as:

• abuse
• divorce
• grief
• life changes, such as a new baby or retirement
• managing stress
• parenting
• relationship problems
• self-esteem problems
• work issues.

Mental health conditions

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors. This means they have a medical degree and specialist training in psychiatry. They understand how the brain works and the links between mental and physical problems.

They can:

• diagnose mental health conditions
• treat mental health conditions with psychological treatments (talking therapies)
• prescribe medications for mental health conditions, including antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilisers.

Psychologists

Psychologists are not medical doctors, but have advanced training in psychology.

There are many psychology specialties. Psychologists work with people who want to find ways to function better and improve their emotional wellbeing.

They also work with those who have different types of mental health conditions. Psychologists who work with people with mental health conditions are called clinical psychologists.

They:

• understand how the brain works and our thoughts, emotions, feelings and behaviours
• can treat mental health conditions with psychological treatments (talking therapies)
• cannot prescribe medications.

Psychologists

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists are another type of mental health practitioner. They complete training to be registered as a psychotherapist and may use a variety of approaches.

They can:

• treat people with talking therapy
• help you to understand yourself, your history and patterns and your current situation
• address deep emotional and psychological issues, and provide long-term therapy for mental health conditions like depression and psychosis
• help with deep-rooted issues like childhood trauma, addictions and compulsions.

Psychotherapists cannot prescribe medications.

Counsellors

Counsellors also use talking therapy. They usually specialise in day-to-day issues. These can include:

• couples counselling
• addictions counselling
• workplace counselling.

If you meet the criteria to see a psychologist or psychiatrist through the public health system, there is no cost.

If you see a mental health professional privately, there will be a fee. Fees vary depending on the speciality. Contact them directly for fee information.

If you have experienced sexual violence, you can refer yourself to ACC. ACC covers the costs of treatment if your claim is accepted.

Support if you've experienced sexual abuse or assault — ACCexternal link

Psychiatrists

Your healthcare provider will normally refer you to a psychiatrist if you need to see one. You can also search for a psychiatrist on the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists website.

Find a psychiatrist — Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatristsexternal link

Psychologists

Your healthcare provider may be able to help you find a clinical psychologist.

You can also search for a clinical psychologist on the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists website.

Find a clinical psychologist — New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologistsexternal link

Psychotherapists or counsellors

You can search for a psychotherapist or counsellor online.

Talking Worksexternal link

Accessing mental health services — Mental Health Foundationexternal link

Find a psychotherapist — Association of Psychotherapists Aotearoa New Zealandexternal link

Employee assistance programmes

Some employers offer employee assistance programmes (EAP). This is a confidential service that your employer pays for.

The programme has qualified, registered and experienced professionals. They can help you and your immediate whānau with issues that may be affecting your wellbeing or your ability to do your job.

Ask your manager or human resources representative if your employer offers an employee assistance programme.