Cost

Your first contact is free. In some cases your costs will be met by an insurer, agency or employer - if that's the case we'll take care of the details. The cost of therapy can depend on the approach taken and if payment is difficult for some reason we can usually work out a suitable arrangement. 

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key part part of our professional relationship. While there are some limits to confidentiality we recognise and promote persons’ and peoples’ rights to privacy. If using an internet based way of working with us you need to consider how you can protect yourself from hacking. At our end we use reputable services and encryption to keep our records safe and in compliance with established standards of professional practice.  

Communication

Psychology and counselling online can sometimes mean that non-verbal cues that are a part of face to face communication are missing. When using text, verbal cues such as tone of voice are absent. We'll make every effort to to ensure that we communicating clearly.

Standards of care

The New Zealand Psychologists Board provides an excellent outline of what standard of care and service you can expect from a registered psychologist  in New Zealand. You can access the link at www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/for-the-public. You will also find information about how to raise any concerns, guidelines relating to various areas of practice (including using the internet) and you can search the database of registered psychologists in New Zealand.

Online Psychology: A new approach

Online counselling suits people for many reasons. Online counselling via email allows you to send and receive messages at any time, day or night. You can take as long as you want to compose your email, and reflect on what you’ve written before you send it. You may also feel less inhibited talking online than in person. 

While there are advantages to working online it is a relatively new approach and although the outcome research is positive it is not as extensive as for face-to-face work. Depending on your circumstances and location, it may be possible to meet face-to-face and then use online tools.