Notes and Queries
Notes and Queries
This page contains an occasional set of writing about therapy and my practise that may further explain positions I might take, or be of use to others.
I currently have availability for consultations online or in person. Please note the caveat about Student Counsellor below
This page contains an occasional set of writing about therapy and my practise that may further explain positions I might take, or be of use to others.
I am completing my Masters in Counselling at the University of Canterbury. I've been studying for five years, including completing a PG Dip in Counselling at Canterbury. I am a Student Member of the NZ Association of Counsellors, which means they are not in any way responsible for my practice. I do voluntarily (and happily) abide by their code of practice. Once I have completed my application to become a provisional member of NZ Association of Counsellors I will be formally bound - I intend to meet the requirements for that mid 2026). In the mean time I can call myself a 'counsellor', there is no legal restriction on the title in Aotearoa New Zealand, but I choose to emphasise that I am a Student Counsellor in order to avoid any confusion.
This is my view of the differences between some of the people who provide talk therapy and other resources. Written in 2025.
All of these describe useful services. I do not want to talk down any of them. These are the differences I see, and please contact me if you would like me to extend or alter my list.
Talking to someone about the messy process of living is very useful, and all of the people I describe here may use very similar ways of working, and there is huge overlap and in my opinion, respect for each other's strengths.
Coach, or life coach, are a very varied group of people who may or may not have qualifications. They may belong to an association for the particular style of coaching they do. My impression is that they can be quite directive, and offer specific advice for life situations. There is no legislation covering coaching, and there may or may not adhere to a code of ethics. Coaches may specialise in particular fields like work performance, neuro-diversity.
Psychologist is a legally protected term, and must be registered with the Psychologist's Board They can be found in a huge number of varied roles, working in the health sector and in private practice. They have a clear and careful code of ethics and complaints procedure.
My distinction between a psychologist and a counsellor is about diagnosis. Psychologists can use formal diagnoses to help people access resources, for example, medication or access to care. They tend to work in partnership with other medical professionals, and are formal 'Health Practitioners'.
A degree from an accredited institution is required - all of which are post-graduate, and have very competitive entry requirements.
Psychologists in New Zealand tend to work with modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy. Their work can be accessed privately or through the health system. Privately they tend to be more expensive than counsellors.
Here I am talking about registered counsellors, members of the NZ Association of Counsellors, or the NZ Christian Counsellors Association. The title 'counsellor' is not regulated in Aotearoa New Zealand, so anyone may call themselves a counsellor.
Counsellors need to complete at least a three year's bachelor degree, or a postgraduate masters degree that has been accredited by the counselling organisations. Training includes at least 200 hours of supervised practise. Some older counsellors may have completed a certificate or other qualification and been 'grandfathered' in to the association as they were already members.
Counsellors vary enormously in their practise, from very brief interventions through to walking beside people for extended periods.
All members agree to a code of ethics, and complaints about their practice are taken seriously by their membership organisations. There are formal complaints procedures. I would encourage people to make complaints if they feel they have not been treated fairly or unprofessionally.
Counsellors follow styles, sometimes known as 'modalities'. I am trained in Narrative Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
Medical doctors with a specialisation in mental health are registered through the the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. They often work in medical environments, hospitals and clinics, but can also have private practice. They are able to prescribe specialist drugs for mental health and also have a role in the justice system. Some psychiatrists understand that issues with mental health are states of disease that can be treated the same way as diseases of the body, using drugs and modified cognitive behavioural therapy.
Psychotherapists are registered health practitioners, and belong to the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand. Like counsellors they can help with mild, moderate and serious mental health problems, seeing people long term, or briefly.
Psychotherapists have diverse ways of working, including psychodrama, transactional analysis, Jungian analysis and others. They have a very specific set of qualifications to be able to register as a psychotherapist.