10 JANUARY 2013 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 1 55

A key element of psychotherapy is the therapeutic use of the relationship between the psychotherapist and client. Psychotherapy may involve, but is not limited to: Exploring the origins, maintenance and change of life patterns; the assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems; and working with patterns of psychological life which may be outside of conscious awareness, including non-verbal and preverbal patterns. Various coherent theoretical models are used in psychotherapy.

In practising psychotherapy, the context of a person’s life needs to be taken into account, including social, cultural and spiritual contexts.

Practice includes all the roles that a psychotherapist may assume such as clinical practice, educating and consulting including clinical supervision.

Psychotherapists shall practise within their area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal and board-prescribed standards.

Prescribed Qualifications for Psychotherapist Scope of Practice

An approved Master’s level qualification in psychotherapy from a New Zealand university or a New Zealand training institution or an approved comparable qualification

OR

Satisfactory completion of an assessment accredited or set by the board

AND

The completion of 900 hours of supervised clinical psychotherapy practice with clients over at least three years with clinical supervision provided by a psychotherapist registered in the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice. Hours not completed during qualification may be completed post qualification

AND

The completion of 120 hours of personal psychotherapy with a registered psychotherapist during and/or following qualification.

2. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism

Those working within this scope of practice are also able to work within the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice as long as they practise within their area and level of expertise and with due respect to the ethical, legal and board-prescribed standards.

Child and adolescent psychotherapists shall be competent to use various methods of psychotherapy to assist children and adolescents with their psychological life issues and mental health problems, whilst taking into consideration the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

A key dimension of psychotherapy with children and adolescents is the use of developmentally appropriate methods. Child and adolescent psychotherapists are expected to have in-depth understanding of infant, child and adolescent development; infancy, childhood and adolescent disorders; family and cultural dynamics; and interdisciplinary approaches to working with children. Child and adolescent psychotherapists are specifically expected to be able to use methods of communication that are consistent with the child’s or adolescent’s stage of development and comprehension and be able to understand a child’s non-verbal communication. Psychotherapy with children and adolescents may involve, but is not limited to: The assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment of emotional and psychological distress; severe mental health problems; and working with patterns of psychological life which may be outside of conscious awareness.

In practising psychotherapy, the context of a child or adolescent’s life and social environment needs to be taken into account. Child and adolescent psychotherapists are expected to be able to work with parents/caregivers, and/or family groups as an adjunct to their work with children or adolescents.

Practice includes all the roles that a psychotherapist may assume such as clinical practice, educating and consulting including clinical supervision.

Child and adolescent psychotherapists shall practise within their area and level of expertise and with due regard to the ethical, legal, and board-prescribed standards.

Prescribed Qualifications for Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism

An approved Masters level qualification in child psychotherapy from a New Zealand university or an approved comparable qualification

OR

Satisfactory completion of an assessment accredited or set by the board

AND

The completion of 900 hours of supervised clinical child and adolescent therapeutic practice over at least three years with clinical supervision provided by a psychotherapist registered in the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism. Hours not completed during qualification may be completed post qualification.

AND

The completion of 120 hours of personal psychotherapy with a registered psychotherapist during and/or following qualification.

3. Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice

Psychotherapists shall be competent to use various methods of psychotherapy to assist clients in their personal growth, relationship development, psychological life issues and mental health problems, whilst taking into consideration the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Clients may include children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, whānau, groups, organisations and the public.

A key element of psychotherapy is the therapeutic use of the relationship between the psychotherapist and client. Psychotherapy may involve, but is not limited to: Exploring the origins, maintenance and change of life patterns; the assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems; and working with patterns of psychological life