Frequently Asked Questions

The Child Psychology Service is a team of registered psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists across New Zealand who specialise in supporting children, young people and their families.

They offer therapy, assessments, diagnosis and guidance to help with learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing.

The service focuses on compassionate, evidence-based support tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Child psychologists are highly trained professionals who specialise in child development, mental health, learning, and behaviour.

In New Zealand they hold a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology and are registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

They have advanced knowledge and skills in understanding the complex emotional, cognitive and behavioural needs of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people).

At The Child Psychology Service our child psychologists offer support in a way that is both evidence-based and personalised to each child’s unique situation.

They work collaboratively with whānau, schools and other professionals to provide a well-rounded, child-centred approach.

Key benefits of seeing a child psychologist

• Comprehensive Understanding. Psychologists don’t just look at one issue; they explore the whole picture of your child’s development, environment, learning needs and emotional world.

• Formal Assessments. Psychologists can assess for a range of concerns, including learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia), ADHD, autism, anxiety or emotional and behavioural challenges.

• Evidence Based Interventions. Psychologists provide structured, research-backed strategies and therapeutic approaches to support change over time.

• Tailored Support Plans. Interventions and recommendations are tailored to your child’s individual strengths, needs, and family context.

• Collaboration with Schools. Psychologists can support your child’s learning and wellbeing by working alongside teachers and school staff to improve outcomes in the classroom.

• Support for Families. Psychologists help parents better understand their child’s needs and offer tools to strengthen parent-child relationships and reduce stress at home.

When might I engage a child psychologist?

You may wish to work with a psychologist if your child:

• Is struggling with big emotions like anxiety, sadness, or anger

• Has difficulty learning or is falling behind at school

• Shows signs of attention or concentration problems

• social challenges, peer conflict, or withdrawal

• Has been through a traumatic or stressful life event

• behavioural issues that aren’t improving over time

• Needs a diagnosis or assessment for example to access learning support at school or understand the reasons for certain behaviours

• Would benefit from a clear plan for intervention and progress tracking

Child psychologists offer insight, support and a pathway forward. If you’re unsure whether psychology or counselling is right for your child, we’re happy to guide you through the options during your initial consultation.

At The Child Psychology Service we understand that navigating support for your child’s emotional or behavioural wellbeing can feel overwhelming. Two key professionals who can help are child psychologists and counsellors, each with different training, approaches, and areas of focus.

Child Psychologists

Child psychologists are highly trained professionals (with a master’s or doctoral degree) who specialise in understanding child development, mental health, learning and behaviour. They are registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and can carry out formal assessments, offer diagnoses (such as for ADHD, anxiety, or learning difficulties) and provide evidence-based interventions for complex or long-standing concerns.

Psychology sessions often involve structured therapeutic approaches and sometimes collaboration with schools, families and other services or professionals.

Counsellors

Counsellors are skilled, trained professionals who create a safe, supportive space for your child to talk about feelings, relationships, or difficulties they may be facing.

While they do not conduct assessments or make diagnoses, they offer emotional support, teach coping skills and help children build confidence, resilience and stronger relationships.

Counselling can be particularly helpful for children going through life changes, experiencing grief, friendship issues, school stress or low mood.

Our counsellors at The Child Psychology Service work closely with our psychology team and if a child’s needs become more complex or require formal assessment, we can guide families smoothly through that next step.

TCPS Counsellors are registered with the New Zealand Counsellor Association and hold a current practicing certificate.

If you’re unsure whether psychology or counselling is right for your child, we’re happy to guide you through the options during your initial consultation.

Yes. Including the information that your child shares with us.

However, if we feel you or your child are at risk of harm we may have to share information about you or your child. We will always inform you of our intention to do so where possible.

To help us make sure we’re offering you the right help we may share information between us as a team to ensure we are using our collective expertise, and also in supervision. In all cases the people we do discuss your case with are also bound by confidentiality.  

Psychologists can work with children on medication but do not prescribe medication. The support we provides is based on making positive behavioural changes and upskilling.

If we feel there may be a benefit to your child being seen by a professional who does prescribe medication such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist, then we will always discuss this with you first.

We will put together a safety plan when we meet with you to help you manage this, but if you have serious fears regarding your child’s safety or intent to harm themselves, please contact your GP as soon as possible.

Children grow up in family systems and our best work can be done when everyone is on the same page. At our first session we’ll put together a list of people in your family and those who are special to you and your child. We can work with any of these with your permission.

We work with children up to the age of 19 years old. With younger preschool children we tend to undertake an observation at day care or kindy and work with you as parents as you’re your child’s key person of influence. With older school age children we can still take this approach but will also undertake 1:1 sessions with them too.

All of our strategies are based on assessing the root of the issue and thinking about what strengths and resources you, your child and the school have at your disposal. We pride ourselves in being grounded and practical.

Is online psychological support as effective as face-to-face?

Covid-19 has presented us all with many challenges, and also many opportunities to work our way around those challenges. One of the big differences in our practice has been the use of online therapy and telehealth. Whilst younger children (under 12) still benefit greatly from having in-person sessions, we have found that we can effectively deliver therapeutic support online for parents, teachers, and adolescents.

The benefits of online therapy include:

– You often do not have such a long wait time as your psychologist can be anywhere in the country.

-You can choose a space and time suitable to you.

-More than one person can join from more than one location without having to re-arrange workdays (this is great for families that co-parent with people they no longer live with).

-Adolescents are actually quite used to navigating conversations online and we can share resources in real-time.

However your preference and comfort are at the heart of what we do, and we will work with you in the manner that suits you best.

What is a Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD)?

A Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD) describes differences in the way a person learns and processes particular types of information. These differences can affect reading, writing, spelling or mathematics.

Common SLDs include dyslexia (reading and spelling), dyscalculia (mathematics) and dysgraphia (writing).

SLDs are not a reflection of intelligence, ability or effort. Children and young people with an SLD can benefit from targeted, evidence-based assessment and intervention to builds skills to recognise and support individual strengths and learning needs.

What is an SLD assessment?

An SLD assessment is carried out by a suitably qualified professional, such as an Educational Psychologist, to develop a detailed understanding of how a child learns, including their individual strengths and areas where they may be experiencing difficulty.

The assessment may explore areas such as reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, memory and processing skills, alongside information gathered from the child, their family and, where appropriate, their school.

Bringing this information together helps the psychologist understand the child’s individual learning profile and determine whether they may be experiencing a Specific Learning Difficulty, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia.

Why should I get my child assessed?

If your child is finding areas such as reading, writing, spelling or maths particularly difficult, despite appropriate teaching, effort and support, an SLD assessment can help you understand what may be contributing to those difficulties.

The assessment builds a clearer picture of your child’s individual learning profile, including their strengths, the areas they find more challenging and the ways they learn most effectively. This understanding can help identify whether a Specific Learning Difficulty may be present and inform practical next steps and targeted support.

The aim is not simply to identify or label. It is to help your child, family and school better understand their learning needs and identify strategies and interventions that can support their learning, confidence and progress.

What will an assessment with a psychologist look like?

The programme is spread over 5 clear stages.

1. A one-hour initial meeting with parents to make sure that the service will work for child & family, to gather information about your child and to make a plan moving forward. The psychologist may need to contact the student’s teacher and/or the school SENCO.

2. The assessment will take two 1.5 hour appointments (three hours in total)

3. The psychologist will need 2-3 hours to examine the results of the assessment and collate information into a report.

4. A one-hour feedback session to look at the results of the assessment and identify priority skills to teach during intervention.

5. Intervention & therapy. The intervention and therapy plan will vary according to individual needs. It is not mandatory, or you may already have other resources or professionals helping you.

Please note that 1 hour appointments consist of 45 minutes meeting time with your psychologist the remainder of the time being used to write notes and complete any administration tasks needed. 

Intervention is structured meet best-practice guidelines and research and will be different for every child & family.

In summary an SLD assessment and report, including an initial consultation and a feedback session will take 7–8 hours in total.

Any intervention & therapy will be agreed with your psychologist.

What does it cost?

The cost of an SLD Assessment would be $1619 plus GST if 7 hours and $1836 plus GST if 8 hours. If the cost is slightly different depending on the assessment tool used or time needed your psychologist will explain this before proceeding.

Intervention & therapy will be priced separately.

Do I need to pay this all at once?

No, you will be sent an invoice after every appointment. You can have the option to pay for everything at once if it’s easier.

Can I claim on my health insurance?

TCPS is affiliated with NIB and Southern Cross insurance. We can help you check

if your insurance covers the treatment. If it is, we can invoice them directly.

Do I need to attend in person?

Not necessarily. Depending on the type of assessment and your psychologist’s availability, appointments may be offered in person, via Telehealth, or as a combination of both.

Your psychologist will discuss the most appropriate way to complete the assessment with you. Some parts of an assessment may need to be completed in person, depending on the assessment tools being used and your child’s individual needs.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth allows you and your child to meet with your psychologist through a secure video appointment rather than attending a clinic in person.

For an SLD assessment, Telehealth may be used for parts of the assessment process, such as meeting with parents or caregivers, gathering background information, discussing findings and recommendations, and some assessment activities where appropriate.

Your psychologist will let you know which parts can be completed remotely and whether any in-person assessment sessions are required.

What’s the difference between intervention and therapy?

Intervention is a broad term for targeted support designed to help a child develop particular skills, or address an identified area of need.

For a child with an SLD, this might include structured support to develop reading, spelling, writing or maths skills, alongside strategies to support learning at home and school.

Therapy is also a form of intervention, but usually focuses more specifically on a child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships or mental health. For example, therapy might support a child experiencing anxiety, low confidence or emotional difficulties associated with their learning experiences.

Depending on your child’s needs, intervention and therapy may be used alongside each other. An SLD assessment helps identify what support is likely to be most useful for your child and informs the next steps.

What assessment tools are used?

Assessment tools are structured, standardised ways for psychologists to understand different aspects of your child’s learning and cognitive profile.

They may include activities and tasks that explore areas such as reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, memory, processing and problem-solving skills.

There is no single assessment tool that identifies every Specific Learning Difficulty. Your psychologist will select appropriate tools based on your child’s age, individual needs and the learning difficulties being explored.

Assessment results are considered alongside other information, including your child’s developmental and educational history and information from you, your child and, where appropriate, their school.

Together, this information helps build a comprehensive picture of your child’s strengths and learning needs and informs recommendations for appropriate support and intervention.

Will I get a report detailing the results of the assessment?

Yes. Following the assessment, your psychologist will provide you with a written report explaining the assessment findings and your child’s individual learning profile. The report will outline your child’s strengths and areas of difficulty, explain whether the findings are consistent with a Specific Learning Difficulty, and provide practical recommendations and next steps.

These recommendations can help guide appropriate support and intervention at home and school and can be shared with your child’s school where appropriate.

Is being assessed the same as getting a diagnosis?

Not always. An assessment is a detailed process that brings together information about your child’s strengths, learning profile, areas of difficulty and individual needs.

The findings may indicate that your child meets the criteria for a Specific Learning Difficulty, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia, but not every assessment will result in an SLD being identified.

Importantly, assessment is not only about reaching a diagnosis or identifying an SLD. Its purpose is to develop a clearer understanding of how your child learns, what may be contributing to their difficulties and what support or intervention is likely to help.

Whether or not an SLD is identified, you should come away from the assessment with practical recommendations and a clearer plan for the next steps.

What happens if I want to seek a diagnosis?

Sometimes an assessment may also identify areas that would benefit from further assessment or diagnostic clarification, such as possible ADHD, autism or other developmental or mental health needs.

Where this is appropriate, your psychologist will discuss the next steps with you. This may involve further assessment within TCPS or referral to another suitably qualified professional.

TCPS works as a multidisciplinary team (MDT), which includes psychologists and child and adolescent psychiatrists, allowing us to bring together different areas of expertise where needed.

Importantly, diagnosis is not the end point. Whether or not a diagnosis is identified, our focus is on helping you understand your child’s individual needs and developing a practical plan for appropriate support.

How will getting assessed help my child?

An SLD assessment can help you and your child better understand how they learn, their strengths and why they may be finding particular areas such as reading, writing, spelling or maths more difficult.

The assessment provides a clearer picture of your child’s individual learning needs and, importantly, provides practical recommendations for what to do next.

Having a better understanding of their learning profile can also help a child recognise that their difficulties are not about intelligence or effort, which can support their confidence and engagement with learning.

The aim is to move from “Why am I finding this so difficult?” to “What will help me learn?”

What if I think that my child might have other neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and Autism?

This can be discussed at your initial meeting. Different assessments can be done with this in mind. In a similar way to SLD assessments a psychologist can help with understanding what this means and suggesting strategies to help. There may be additional cost for different assessments or strategies.

Who is the psychologist who will undertake the assessment?

Your assessment will be completed by a registered psychologist with the appropriate experience and expertise in assessing learning difficulties.

We will match your child with a psychologist based on their individual needs, the areas being explored and practitioner availability.

Where helpful, your psychologist can also work with other members of the TCPS multidisciplinary team to ensure your child receives coordinated and individualised support.

At The Child Psychology Service (TCPS), our focus is always on the wellbeing of the child. We provide a therapeutic space that is safe, supportive, and centred around helping children make sense of their life experiences.

We do not get involved in Family Court proceedings. This is because court processes often involve legal decision-making, factors that can directly conflict with the creation of a neutral and secure space for a child in therapy.

Therapy is not about making judgments or decisions around custody or care arrangements. It is about supporting children to process what they’re going through in a way that prioritises their emotional health and psychological safety.

By remaining outside of court processes, we protect the integrity of the therapeutic relationship and ensure that children have a space where they can speak freely and feel genuinely supported.

At The Child Psychology Service, we are committed to providing safe, respectful and high-quality care to every child, young person and family we support.

We welcome feedback, including concerns and complaints, as they help us improve our service. If something hasn’t met your expectations, we encourage you to let us know so we can work with you to understand the issue and seek a fair and timely resolution.

If you have a concern or would like to make a complaint, please contact us in writing by:

• Email: info@thechildpsychologyservice.co.nz
• Post (see full Complaints Policy below) 

Please include:

• your name and contact details 
• the name of the person or service involved
• a description of the concern
• relevant dates
• the outcome you are seeking

What happens next? 

We will:

• acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days
• listen carefully and treat your concerns respectfully
• review the information fairly and objectively
• keep you informed throughout the process 

Making a complaint will not affect the care or support you receive from The Child Psychology Service.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, or you would prefer independent assistance at any stage, you may contact the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service, which provides free and independent advocacy for people using health and disability services.

You may also contact the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC), the independent organisation responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of people using health and disability services.

All complaints are managed confidentially and in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020.

The Complaints Policy can be found here.