Information from
The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand
Te Poari o ngā Kaihaumanu Hinengaro o Aotearoa
Consultation Document
The Board is seeking the views on the
Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
If you wish to comment please send your submission to the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa
New Zealand on or before Friday 26th July 2015.
The Board would appreciate comments in Microsoft Word format emailed to registrar@pbanz.org.nz
or posted to PO Box 10-787, The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand.
Page 1 of 14
Contents
What is a scope of practice? ................................................................................................. 3
The purpose of this document .............................................................................................. 3
Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice ............................................................................. 3
Background ....................................................................................................................... 3
Proposed changes to the wording of the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice ..................... 5
Feedback ........................................................................................................................... 8
Questions .......................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix One .................................................................................................................. 10
Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications Prescribed by The
Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand ...................................................... 10
Appendix Two .................................................................................................................. 13
General Consultation Information .............................................................................. 13
Page 2 of 14
Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice Consultation
What is a scope of practice?
A scope of practice describes and defines the boundaries of practise for a psychotherapist. Section
11 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA) sets out how scopes of
practice must be prescribed by the Board.
The purpose of this document
To consult on changes to the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice wording. This consultation
is being undertaken in accordance with section 14 of the HPCAA.
The Psychotherapist Scope of Practice and Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child
and Adolescent Specialism will remain unchanged.
Background
Under section 118 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HCPAA) the Board
is required to prescribe the scopes of practice which psychotherapists are permitted to perform.
The Board has prescribed three broad scopes of practice:
1. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
2. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Specialism
3. Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
These scopes as Gazetted are included as appendix one.
The Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice was designed to protect the public by providing a
scope of practice for psychotherapists who have not yet met the following requirements:
1. completed 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 or Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and
Adolescent Specialism; and/or
2. undergone a personal psychotherapy; and/or
3. completed a final assessment accredited or set by the Board.
Since registration began in October 2008 the Board has had a clear policy that:
 acceptance into the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice must be for the purpose of
achieving registration in either the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or the Psychotherapist
Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism.
 practitioners can only remain in the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice for a period
of 5 years.
This Board discussed the 5 year time limit at length before it was set and maintain that it is both
necessary to protect the public and sufficient to be able to meet the requirements to move into either
the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent
Page 3 of 14
Specialism. The Board periodically reviews the five year time limit; which remains unchanged since
2008.
The Board has taken a proactive approach to the 5 year time limit by:
1. notifying practitioners of this requirement at time of registration;
2. requiring practitioners to acknowledge that they are actively working towards the Board’s policy
during their APC renewal;
3. advertising the Board’s policy on its website;
4. placing reminders in Board newsletters;
5. sending reminders to individual practitioners.
While the Board’s approach is proactive, psychotherapists are reminded that the onus to complete the
Board requirements to move to either the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or the Psychotherapist Scope
of Practice with Child and Adolescent Specialism within 5 years remains with the individual
psychotherapist.
The Board is now seeking the view of the profession and stakeholders on:
 Including the 5 year time limitation within the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
wording.
Page 4 of 14
Proposed changes to the wording of the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
The Board is proposing to amend the Interim Psychotherapists Scope of Practice by including the
following sentence (in red) in the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice.
The five year time limitation applies to all psychotherapists registered within the Interim
Psychotherapist Scope of Practice. The proposed wording will increase transparency, clarity and
ensure that all psychotherapists are aware of their responsibilities.
Please note that the Board does not have any
Notice of Scopes of Practice and
Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New
Pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health
Act”), the following notice is given.
input to the layout and font of a Gazette notice.
Related Qualifications Prescribed by The
Zealand
Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“the
Notice
1. Title and commencement—(1) Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications
Prescribed by The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand.
(2) This notice comes into force on 10 January 2013.
2. Revocation—This notice revokes and replaces all previous scopes of practice and qualifications
prescribed by The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Scopes of Practice for Psychotherapists as at 10 January 2013.
1. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
2. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Specialism
3. Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
1. 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 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.
Page 5 of 14
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 a final 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
Page 6 of 14
Satisfactory completion of a final 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 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.
Acceptance into the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice is for the purpose of
achieving registration in either the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or the
Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Specialism.
Save for in exceptional circumstances as determined by the Board, practitioners can
only remain in the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice for a maximum period of 5
consecutive years.
The 5 year time limit begins from the date of registration and continues uninterrupted.
Prescribed Qualifications for Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
An approved Master’s level qualification in psychotherapy and/or child psychotherapy from a New
Zealand university or a New Zealand training institution or an approved comparable qualification
OR
Satisfactory completion of an initial assessment accredited or set by the board
Page 7 of 14
Note:
1. A practitioner with an Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice must meet the required
qualifications for the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice. However, they may not have yet
completed 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 or Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Specialism. Hours not completed during qualification may be completed post qualification.
AND/OR
2. May not have completed 120 hours of personal psychotherapy with a registered psychotherapist
during and/or following qualification.
2. Acceptance in this scope must be for the purpose of achieving registration in either the
Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child
and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism.
Exceptional Circumstances
The Board will retain the discretion, on a case by case basis and in exceptional circumstances only,
to extend the five year time limit. Practitioners will be required to write to the Board outlining their
circumstances and setting out the reasons, rationale and supporting documentation.
What happens to practitioners who cannot meet the 5 year time limit?
The Board will assess this on a case by case basis.
Practitioners who can provide evidence that they will meet the Board’s requirements within an
additional limited timeframe will not be issued with an Annual Practising Certificate (under section
25 (5)) but may, at the Board’s discretion, be granted an interim practising certificate under section
29 (7). An interim practising certificate is issued for a limited time period and will allow practitioners
to continue working to meet Board requirements.
Practitioners without exceptional circumstances will not be issued with an Annual Practicing
Certificate (section 29 (5)) to practise in the Interim Psychotherapists Scope of Practice. These
practitioners will have two options:

Remove their name from the Register of psychotherapists.

Retain their name on the Register of psychotherapists as a non-practising psychotherapist.
Note:
1. Practitioners can reapply for registration once they can provide evidence that they meet
the requirements to be registered in either the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or
Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism.
2. Practitioners who remain on the Register as a non-practicing psychotherapist will not be
able to practice psychotherapy as a psychotherapist (or to anything that breaches
section 7 of the HPCAA).
Page 8 of 14
Feedback
The Board values feedback so please include any suggestions or alternative solutions/wording with
your submission along with the accompanying rationale.
The Board has allocated 8 weeks to respond to this consultation. This will allow individuals and
groups time to attend meetings and provide considered feedback. If you wish to comment please
send your submission to the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand on or before Friday
26th July 2015.
The Board would appreciate comments in Microsoft Word format emailed to registrar@pbanz.org.nz
or posted to PO Box 10-787, The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand.
Questions
1. Do you wish to comment on the Board’s proposal to include the 5 year time limit in the
wording of the Interim Scope of Practice?
2. Do you have any comment on the proposed wording?
3. Do you have any other comments?
Page 9 of 14
Appendix One
Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications Prescribed by The
Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand
Pursuant to sections 11 and 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (“the
Act”), the following notice is given.
Notice
1. Title and commencement—(1) Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications
Prescribed by The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand.
(2) This notice comes into force on 10 January 2013.
2. Revocation—This notice revokes and replaces all previous scopes of practice and qualifications
prescribed by The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Scopes of Practice for Psychotherapists as at 10 January 2013.
1. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
2. Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Specialism
3. Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
1. 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 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.
Page 10 of 14
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 which may be outside of
Page 11 of 14
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 Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice
An approved Master’s level qualification in psychotherapy and/or child 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
Note:
1. A practitioner with an Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice must meet the required
qualifications for the Interim Psychotherapist Scope of Practice. However, they may not have yet
completed 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 or Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Specialism. Hours not completed during qualification may be completed post qualification.
AND/OR
May not have completed 120 hours of personal psychotherapy with a registered psychotherapist
during and/or following qualification.
2. Acceptance in this scope must be for the purpose of achieving registration in either the
Psychotherapist Scope of Practice or the Psychotherapist Scope of Practice with Child and
Adolescent Psychotherapist Specialism.
Page 12 of 14
Appendix Two
General Consultation Information
The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (the Board) is committed to open, transparent
and consistent consultation when reviewing or developing standards, guidelines and related policies
for dissemination to the public, profession and stakeholders. The Board will also consult to meet
its common law obligations and obligations under section 14 of the Health Practitioners Competence
Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA).
Consultation means that the Board will seek information and or advice and will consider it when
making a decision. Consultation does not mean that the Board will abrogate its responsibility to
make decisions consistent with its purpose and functions under the HPCAA.
a) Benefits of Consultation
The Board recognises that open consultation has many benefits, some of which are:
 enables stakeholders to contribute to policy development;
 facilitates working dialogue with internal and external stakeholders;
 helps early identification of potential problems and issues with proposed standards,
guidelines and related policies;
 assists to make the process of developing standards, guidelines and related polices
accountable;
 increases public and stakeholder understanding of the role and functions of the Board.
b) How the Board will consult
Consultation will usually be undertaken for a period of 8 weeks allowing sufficient time for
consideration by the profession, public and stakeholders.
 consultation papers will be available for downloading from the Board’s website on the ‘News
and Events’ page;
 consultation will be promoted to the Board’s practitioner and stakeholder database as well
as in the Board’s newsletter and through the Board’s website;
 submissions received by practitioners or stakeholders will be acknowledged on receipt;
 the Board will determine on a case-by-case basis, the appropriateness and desirability of
public and stakeholder face to face consultation meetings.
c) The Board’s decision-making
The Board in its decision-making process will consider, without limitation, the following:
 all feedback received during the consultation process;
 its primary purpose under the HPCAA which is ‘to protect the health and safety of members
of the public by providing for mechanisms to ensure that health practitioners are competence
and fit to practise their professions’.
d) Board commitments
The Board has made a commitment to ensure that issues of diversity and equality are valued,
upheld and promoted, and underpin all aspects of the Board's work and therefore to being familiar
with, and operating according to the:
 Principles of natural justice and administrative law
 Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Page 13 of 14




Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 - Code of Health
and Disability Services Consumers' Rights
Health and Disability Services Act 1993
Privacy Act 1993 - Health Information Privacy Code 1994
Human Rights Act 1993
Page 14 of 14