Psychology

Psychology is the study of the behaviour of living beings. Students at university departments of psychology learn the scientific study of animal behaviour. Some psychology students prefer to learn about themselves and other people. These are the people referred to in this article.

If they complete training as professional psychologists they will have done a three year University degree with a major in psychology, and then at least three more years study and practice in helping people using scientific knowledge and proven methods.

What can Psychologists help with?

1. Educational psychologists help with problems of learning and growing up, from birth until 20 years. They work in local Special Education Services. This service is found among Government Departments in the phone book. Educational Psychologists are paid from our taxes. No fees are charged. There may be a waiting list. They help with:
• School learning problems
• School avoiding problems
• Coping with handicap
• Special talents
• Bedwetting
• Tantrums
• Shyness & Loneliness
• Relationships
• Overactivity
• Parenting
• Child Abuse
• Drug use problems
2. Clinical psychologists often deal with issues of adult life, though they work with children as well. The majority of psychologists work in the Health Services both general and psychiatric (e.g., Community Mental Health services). They are found by ringing a nearby health district. They too are paid from taxes. There are no fees. There may be a waiting list. They help with:
• Fear & Anxiety
• Tension & Stress
• Depression
• Grief & Loss
• Marital problems
• Sexual problems
• Alcohol & Drug Abuse
• Relationships
• Anger problems
• Bad memories
• Lifestyle problems
• Health problems
• Criminal behaviour
3. Psychologists in private practice may be either educational or clinical. They see individuals or families. They also work for sportsmen and women, and on contract for businesses, Family Courts, ACC and community organisations. They are found in the Yellow Pages under Psychologists- Registered. Most charge $60-$100 for each hour, but fees can be negotiated if they are too much to pay. People can usually be seen within 1-2 weeks. As well as the problems above Psychologists deal with:
• Family Court referrals
• Improving sports performance
• Mediation
• Rehabilitation after injury
• Changing organisation structures
• Personnel problems
4. Psychologists also work in Justice, Social Welfare and Police Departments, working in a variety of the areas listed above.

Choosing a Psychologist

1. Psychologists are usually Registered. That means they are on a list of psychologists who have satisfied the Psychologists? Board of the Ministry of Health that they have reached specified standards of training in NZ or overseas.
2. They will also usually belong to either the NZ Psychological Society, i.e.NZPsS, or the NZ College of Clinical Psychologists, NZCCP. You are welcome to check Registration and Membership with the practitioner.
3. All psychologists working for tax-payer funded places (e.g. government departments or hospital boards) will be Registered. Most will also belong to NZPsS or NZCCP.

Each of these gives assurance of quality of work. An unregistered psychologist who meets none of the above criteria should be avoided.
A Skilled Psychologist will...

• Listen carefully to what you have to say
• Treat you with respect
• Treat what you say in confidence
• Be honest about whether s/he has the knowledge and skills to help you
• Refer you to the best available worker if she/he can?t help you
• Help you see your problems more clearly, and help you understand and master them. Discuss with you many aspects of your life, including how you express your thoughts and feelings, what you feel and think, and how you relate to other people.
• Show you how to learn proven ways of behaving differently (if you want this), and of tackling problems.

Complaints

If things go wrong in treatment, and if you have a complaint about a psychologist you can?t sort out with him or her, you may obtain good advice from the NZ Psychological Society or the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists.

John Gamby ANZPsS, MNZAP, MA (VUW)
Senior Clinical Psychologist,
Community Mental Health, Thames

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