Clinical Psychologists train for a minimum of 7 years at university and are able to assess, diagnose and treat people with mental health issues and psychological difficulties. Clinical Psychologists specialise in learning about how people's feelings, actions, beliefs, and experiences affect the way they live and to help people make changes in their life. Clinical Psychologists base therapy approaches on scientific evidence. Practicing Clinical Psychologists are registered with the New Zealand Psychologist's Board.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy is a time-limited, talking therapy for mental health problems. It has been extensively researched and found to be a highly effective talking treatment. It is a collaborative approach which means you work with your clinician to develop goals and to gain a joint understanding of your problems. The primary focus of CBT is to understand what is maintaining a problem in the "here and now" by looking at how we think, feel and behave. More recent CBT approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Metacognitive Therapy (MCT). ​ ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) ACT is a behaviorally-oriented therapeutic approach that works with how a person relates and responds to their internal experiences (i.e., thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and urges) in order to reduce suffering and to more fully engage in values-based behaviors. DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT) DBT is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy effective in treating intense emotional reactions and relationship difficulties. MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) Through the practice and application of meditation people learn to cultivate a more mindful approach to experiencing difficult thoughts and emotions in order to develop healthier behavioral patterns. METACOGNITIVE THERAPY (MCT) Metacognitive therapy is shares similarities with the more traditional Cognitive Therapy, but rather than focusing on the content of thought the emphasis is on exploring a person’s thoughts and beliefs surrounding the content of their thoughts (i.e., metacognitions).

A Psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who has also completed 5 years further training, specialising in mental health. They specialise in assessment and management of mental health issues and often work in collaboration with other mental health professionals. Psychiatrists are able to prescribe medication and do therapy.

We are currently unable to accept new referrals for Initial Psychology Consultations or for ADHD assessments. Current wait times for initial General Psychiatry appointments to see a Psychiatrist vary between 4 and 16 weeks depending on the Psychiatrist. Get in touch

Current Fees - applicable to 31/12/24 (Please note these fees are increasing from 1/1/25 - scroll down for further information about 2025 prices) All prices are indicative only. Fees may vary according to individual need. All fees include GST. Payment is due at the time of your appointment, unless a prior arrangement has been made. A $10.00 administration fee may be added to accounts not paid at the time of consultation. Psychiatry Initial Assessment up to 90 minutes $650.00 Initial Assessment up to 120 minutes $865.00 up to 90 minute follow up $650.00 up to 60 Minute follow up $400.00 up to 30 Minute follow up $200.00 Specialty Assessments and Reports - Please contact us for a price estimate. Prescriptions – out of consultation time $35.00 Medical Certificates – out of consultation time $35.00 Special Authority - Electronic Application $10.00 All our psychiatrists are Easy Claim providers with Southern Cross. If you are a Southern Cross member we are able to apply for funding on your behalf prior to appointment once we have your membership number. Psychology Initial 90 minute consultation $330.00 Standard 50 minute consultation $220.00 Specialty Assessments and Reports - Please contact us for a price estimate. Fees (applicable from 1 Jan 2025) Psychiatry General Initial Assessment up to 90 minutes $750.00 Initial Assessment up to 120 minutes $1000.00 up to 90 minute follow up $750.00 up to 60 Minute follow up $460.00 up to 30 Minute follow up $230.00 ADHD assessments (please refer to our ADHD assessment pathway info sheet for full details) Initial Assessment up to 90 minutes (without comprehensive psychologist report) $1050.00 Initial Assessment up to 120 minutes (without comprehensive psychologist report) $1250.00 Initial Assessment up to 90 minutes (with comprehensive psychologist report $750.00 Initial Assessment up to 120 minutes (with comprehensive psychologist report) $1000.00 ADHD Follow up appointments as above for general psychiatry Specialty Assessments and Reports - Please contact us for a price estimate. Prescriptions – out of consultation time $35.00 Medical Certificates – out of consultation time $35.00 Renewal of Special Authority – out of consultation time $35.00 All our psychiatrists are Easy Claim providers with Southern Cross. If you are a Southern Cross member we are able to apply for funding on your behalf prior to your appointment once we have your membership number. Psychology Initial 90 minute consultation $355.00 Standard 50 minute consultation $235.00

Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due at the time of your appointment. Payments are accepted in the form of EftPos, credit card (excluding Amex) or cash. On-line payments are possible with prior arrangement. Where it is agreed that payment need not be made at the time of your appointment, an administration fee of $10 may be added. Please note Christchurch PsychMed may withhold further provision of services where there is an outstanding amount due. Overdue accounts may incur an additional fee. Unpaid accounts will be passed to our debt collection agency and you will be liable for any collection fees incurred Late cancellation policy Appointments that are unattended or cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged for. This fee is generally the cost of the appointment.

To see a psychiatrist, a referral from your GP is required even if you have been a client/patient with any other provider. To see a clinical psychologist a referral is not essential but is always helpful. Please note that it may take up to 2 weeks from the time your referral is received or from your initial enquiry until you are contacted regarding an appointment date.

This varies for each person depending on individual situations. During your initial appointment a treatment plan will be discussed and this could include an estimate of how many sessions may be required and how often you may need to attend.

As we are not an emergency service your first point of contact should be The Crisis Resolution Team who provide 24 hour emergency and after hours psychiatric care. Their contact is 0800 920 092. For non-urgent afterhours support, we suggest you contact the 1737 helpline. Other support information can be found at the Mental Health Helpline here.

Parking is available on site at the rear of our building

Christchurch PsychMed Privacy and Managing Health Information Policy Introduction This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient/client, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties. Christchurch PsychMed, as a service company that provides room rental and administration and reception services to mental health clinicians operating as independent Private Practitioners, collects relevant information to allow the clinicians within this practice to provide the best care for you. Each clinician within Christchurch PsychMed operates as an independent private practitioner who adheres to the Christchurch PsychMed Privacy Policy and Procedures. Health information that is collected by your clinician may be securely stored within Christchurch PsychMed’s electronic practice management system or as hardcopy information by your clinician. In addition, each practitioner has their own privacy policy that outlines how they maintain the privacy of the information they collect about individual patients/clients. Why and when your consent is necessary When you register as a patient/client of Christchurch PsychMed, you provide consent for our clinicians and practice staff to access and use your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to see your personal information will have access to it. If we need to use your information for anything else, we will seek additional consent from you to do this. Why do we collect, use, hold and share your personal information? Our practice will need to collect your personal information to provide healthcare services to you. Our main purpose for collecting, using, holding and sharing your personal information is to manage your wellbeing. We use demographic information for directly related business activities such as booking appointments financial claims and payments, and business processes (e.g. staff training). What personal information do we collect? The information we will collect about you includes your: names, date of birth, addresses, contact details medical information including medical history and medications NHI number when necessary health insurance details when necessary. How do we collect your personal information? Our practice may collect your personal information in several different ways. When we receive a referral from your GP or another health professional requesting for you to be seen by a clinician at this practice we collect your personal and demographic information contained in this referral. When you make your first appointment our practice staff will collect your personal and demographic information through the registration process. We may also collect your personal information when you visit our website, send us an email, SMS, or telephone us. Any email correspondence that you send to us, or that others send to us about you, will also be held electronically within our patient management system. In some circumstances personal information may also be collected from other sources. Often this is because it is not practical or reasonable to collect it from you directly. This may include information from: your guardian, Enduring Power of Attorney, or responsible person your health insurer, insurance company, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (as necessary). When, why and with whom do we share your personal information? We sometimes share your personal information: when it is required or authorised by law (e.g. court subpoenas) when it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health or safety or public health or safety, or it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent to assist in locating a missing person to establish, exercise or defend an equitable claim for the purpose of confidential dispute resolution process Only people who need to access your information will be able to do so. Our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your consent. We will not share your personal information with anyone outside New Zealand (unless under exceptional circumstances that are permitted by law) without your consent. Our practice will not use your personal information for marketing any of our goods or services directly to you without your express consent. If you do consent, you may opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing. How do we store and protect your personal information? Your personal information may be stored at our practice in various forms such as paper records and electronic records within our patient management system. Our practice stores all personal information securely. Electronic data is stored within password protected and encrypted information technology systems and hard copy documentation is stored within a secured environment including secure filing cabinets. Hard copy files are destroyed using secure destruction methods. How can you access and correct your personal information at our practice? You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your personal information. Our practice acknowledges patients may request access to their medical records. We require you to put this request in writing and our practice will respond within 10 working days. Our practice will take reasonable steps to correct your personal information where the information is not accurate or up to date. From time to time, we will ask you to verify that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. You may also request that we correct or update your information, and you should make such requests in writing to info@christchurchpsychmed.co.nz . How can you lodge a privacy-related complaint, and how will the complaint be handled at our practice? We take complaints and concerns regarding privacy seriously. You should express any privacy concerns you may have in writing. A complaints form is available from reception. You can access this by emailing info@christchurchpsychmed.co.nz and requesting a complaint form. Your complaint will be managed in accordance with Right 10 of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. Complaints should be emailed to office@christchurchpsychmed.co.nz or addressed to: Practice Manager, Christchurch PsychMed, 169 Innes Road, St Albans, Christchurch 8052. Initial receipt of the complaint will be notified via email within 5 working days of receiving the complaint. Please note that all clinicians working at Christchurch PsychMed are independent Private Practitioners. As such, Christchurch PsychMed cannot act on behalf of and is not responsible for the actions of any clinician. We will endeavor, however, to work with you and the clinician concerned to reach a prompt resolution to your issue. If your complaint is about the reception staff then this complaint will be managed by Christchurch PsychMed. If you are not satisfied with how we have dealt with the complaint, you may contact the Privacy Commissioner at: Privacy Commissioner Level 13, WHK Tower 51-53 Shortland Street Auckland 1140 New Zealand Telephone 0800 803 909 Email enquiries@privacy.org.nz Privacy and our website User-Provided Information You provide us certain information about yourself, such as your name, email address, and other personally identifiable information (all referred to as “Personal Information”) if you fill in any of the forms available on our website. If you correspond with us by email, we may retain the content of your email messages, your email addresses and our responses. Information Collected Through Cookies and Other Technologies: Cookies are small text files that are downloaded by your computer when you access and use our website. We use Cookies to analyse user activity in order to improve the Service and Website. Cookies uniquely identify your computer and provide us with your user activity. This activity includes information such as the pages of the Website that you visit, the time and date of the visit, how much time is spent on those pages and other statistics. Policy review statement This Privacy Statement is current as of 24/09/23 and is subject to ongoing review. You may also obtain a copy of this statement by emailing us at info@christchurchpsychmed.co.nz