How can I find a counsellor who suits my needs?
Please note the Mental Health Foundation does not recommend particular organisations or individuals, but can provide a selection of those that we know of to allow you to make your own choice.
Tips for choosing a counsellor
A guide to talking therapies in New Zealand
Directories
Telecom Yellow Pages - Look under Counselling Services & Psychotherapists
Centres
- Community Mental Health Centres
Often have lists of recommended mental health professionals and counsellors. Contact details are listed in front of the phone book under ‘Hospitals and other health service providers'; in larger regions they are divided by DHB boundaries. - Local Women's or Men's Centres
May have a list of recommended counsellors, some of whom are ACC accredited and low cost.
Telephone Counselling and Helplines
- ACC Sensitive Claims 0800 735 566 - Mental effects of sexual abuse or assault.
- ADA - Alcohol Drug Association 0800 787 797
- Alcohol Helpline 0800 787 797
- Barnardos FAIR Centre 0800 164 455
- Family Information & Cot Death (SIDS) Parent-to-Parent helpline: 09 828 7576
- Barnados 0800 222 345
- KIDSLINE 0800 543 754
- Lifeline 0800 543 354
- Lifeline Email Counselling 0800 543 354
- Ministry of Health Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Ministry of Social Development Family Services 211 Helpline 0800 211 211
Access community help services that can help with issues relating to parenting, special needs, family support, family violence, custody and access, child behaviour, life skills, counselling, addiction, sexual abuse, grief and loss. - Narcotics Anonymous 0800 628 6329
- No Bully 0800 NO BULLY
- Plunket Line 0800 933 922
- Quit Line (smoking) 0800 778 778
- Victim Support 0800 842 846
- What's up 0800 942 8787
- Youthline 0800 376 633
- Warmlines for consumers of mental health services: Canterbury and West Coast 0800 899 276 (7pm-1am seven nights); Wellington 0800 200 207 (7pm-1am seven nights), and Auckland central 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm - midnight)
Networks and Support Groups
Link through to a list of national and local support groups
Also contact your local Mental Health Consumer networks
For contact numbers call your local Citizens Advice Bureau 0800 367 222 or email us at info "at" mentalhealth.org.nz
Associations and Societies
New Zealand Association of Counsellors 07 8340 220
NZ Association of Psychotherapists 04 475 6244
NZ Christian Counsellors Association 09 376 0102
College of Clinical Psychologists 04 472 4088
NZ Psychological Society 04 473 4889
Other
Employee Assistance Programme
Your workplace may be able to arrange counselling through this group.
Family Court Counselling Coordinator
09 916 9000
In some cases you can request counselling through the Family Court Counselling Coordinator at your nearest Family Court. Good online brochures.
Language Link CAB
Confidential support and help that is accurate and up-to-date available in 26 languages.
Lowdown
A youth depression website for information, online counselling and support
Outline
Provides a free, confidential and non-judgemental telephone counselling service. All sorts of people call them for all sorts of reasons – loneliness and isolation, sexuality and gender idenitity, sexual health, relationships and meeting people, STIs and HIV, legal and ethical issues, and many more
Relationship Services 0800 735 283
Skylight 0800 299 100 - change, loss and grief
Talking Works
Where you can find a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist in NZ plus useful information and interesting articles.
Online Journal
A free wellbeing tool as part of the NZ Depression Awareness Campaign, provides the opportunity to learn problem solving, stress management and goal setting skills, including e-support and reminders.
Beating the Blues
A free online treatment programe for people with mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety. Provides strategies to help change unhelpful thinking and behaviour. Offers eight 50 minute weekly online sessions. Access referral through GP.
