Therapists in Christchurch

Search for nearby therapists or counsellors by inputting your city, postcode, or a provider’s name into the search bar. From there, you can filter providers by the issues they treat, cost, insurance, gender, and other factors to find providers who are well-suited to your needs. To navigate between locations within the same country, enter a new city or postcode into the search bar.

Learn more about how to find a therapist

Psychologists listed in the directory are registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). To be listed in the directory, psychotherapists must be registered through the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand. Counsellors listed in the directory should have a minimum training of NZQF 6 or higher, and many are registered with a professional body, such as the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

Providers whose professional membership or primary credential has been verified by Psychology Today are signified by a “Verified” symbol. Given that professional memberships are not a statutory requirement for counsellors in New Zealand, certain qualified professionals or organisations may choose not to maintain such memberships despite possessing the necessary qualifications. They may be selectively included without the “Verified” seal.

Psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists  can all provide counselling or talking therapy and have credentials and supervised, practical experience that enable them to do so in New Zealand.

Psychologists possess a minimum of a master's degree in Psychology and are registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Psychotherapists typically hold the equivalent of a Master's or Doctorate Degree in Psychotherapy, depending on their programme of study. Many psychotherapists have themselves undergone psychotherapy as part of their training. In order to be a member of NZAC, Counsellors must have a bachelor's or master's degree in Counselling and complete ongoing professional development and education.

The type of therapy best suited to a particular individual depends on several factors, including their primary reason for seeking therapy, their preferred timeline (some therapy types last for a set number of sessions, while others are open-ended), and their personality and preferences—some may prefer a more structured approach. For many individuals, multiple types of therapy could provide a good fit.

The cost of therapy depends on a number of variables, including location and the therapist’s experience and training. On average, the cost of a therapy session in New Zealand could be between $100 and $200. If you have private insurance, your plan may cover some if not all of your sessions. You should contact your insurance provider to determine if they provide coverage for therapy sessions and to determine what, if any, requirements they might have in order for your sessions to be covered, such as a referral from your GP or medical specialist.

Many therapists offer sliding scale payments, usually on a limited number of slots, which consists in an agreement between the therapist and a client to pay a reduced rate. Therapists who provide such arrangements often consider the client's income or ability to pay, but the extent of the discount is ultimately at the therapist's discretion. Furthermore, while group therapy may have different goals and benefits compared to individual therapy, it can be a more affordable solution to address certain types of issues.

If you are struggling to access therapy due to budget constraints, you could also consider public funded mental health services. To access these services you will need to be assessed and referred by your GP or family doctor. However, you will have limited choice regarding the specialist and the length of treatment that will be assigned to you. In addition, Community Mental Health and Addiction services are also available through your local District Health Board (DHB).

Many therapists charge the same amount for online therapy as they do for in-person therapy—though clients may still find this cost-effective if it cuts down on their transportation costs. Health insurance plans often offer equivalent coverage for online and in-person therapy; indeed, in many places, they are legally required to do so. Text-based or on-demand therapy apps may be cheaper than traditional one-on-one psychotherapy; however, the practice may be less effective and is not likely to be covered by insurance.

Therapy conducted online can be just as effective as in-person therapy, as long as there is a strong alliance between the client and the therapist. To find a therapist who provides telehealth services to clients in your area, click “Online Therapy” on the directory homepage and search by your city or town or your postcode.

Professionals registered with the Boards and/or who are members of professional organisations are obligated to uphold client confidentiality unless there is a legal reason that requires them to disclose information. Confidentiality is a crucial part of the therapeutic relationship and only under specific circumstances, such as when there is the potential or known harm to the client or others, or a court order, will a therapist be obligated to break the agreement. These exceptions to the confidentiality agreement are usually discussed during the initial consultation.