I have been a clinical psychologist for 15 years.
Guilt, shame and disappointment come up a lot in therapy. No-one likes to be told that they have disappointed someone — particularly when the person expressing that disappointment is in a position of authority, such as your nanny, parent or favourite teacher.
However, there are also times when someone’s expression of disappointment in your "naughty behaviour" can be deeply frustrating — especially when that someone is the Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey.
Last week over 700 psychologists signed an open letter warning that the proposed "associate psychologist" role presents a risk to the public.
This appears not to have been well-received by the minister. He stated in response: "We simply cannot sit around and do nothing while New Zealanders are stuck on waiting lists without the support they need. To suggest otherwise is disappointing."
He has shared his disappointment. And like any good therapist, I want to unpack that statement.
What is its meaning? What prompted him to say it? Why did he choose those words?
I’m not entirely sure who his disappointment is directed at (perhaps the 700 psychologists who oppose the proposal), but I had an emotional response to it — one that I would like to share.
Firstly, who exactly is "sitting around doing nothing" while New Zealanders remain on wait lists for care?
It is certainly not the psychologists, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychotherapists and counsellors working on the front lines.
When people say that mental health services are at a crisis point, they usually mean that there is too large a gap between what is needed and what is being provided. Mental health professionals are the ones caught in the middle, trying to provide some kind of filling in what feels like a very rotten sandwich.
And let me tell you, we are working incredibly hard to cover this crisis. So please clarify: who, exactly, is "sitting around doing nothing"?
Secondly, let us talk about getting New Zealanders the support they need.
The reason so many psychologists oppose this new role is because, from the perspective of those of us on the front lines, this proposal does not offer the kind of support the public needs.
A bachelor’s degree in psychology is not a mental health qualification. It involves the study of a broad range of topics, with mental distress comprising only a small part.
It does not include clinical placements. Completing a one-year diploma with a community placement will not adequately equip "associate psychologists" with the therapeutic skills or training necessary to address mental health problems.
It has also been suggested that "associate psychologists" will only work with people experiencing "low intensity" mental health issues.
I have no idea what that term means. Anyone with experience in mental health knows that individuals who present with minimal symptoms can quickly deteriorate and become suicidal. This is serious and risky work.
So please, tell us: what are the characteristics of "low intensity" mental health problems? How are you making this determination?
This role is being presented as a solution to the lack of access to psychological care, but I do not believe it is.
Therapy provided by an inexperienced, under-qualified person can be more damaging than no therapy at all. I do not think this is the kind of support New Zealanders are asking for — or expect.
And now, we come to disappointment.
I am feeling deeply disappointed in the government’s communication with psychologists. Our professional organisations — NZPS, NZCCP and NZPB — have undertaken some consultation with the profession. We were told that the name of the role had yet to be confirmed, that work was still under way on defining the scope of practice, and that further consultation with the profession would occur.
We had no indication that this role was in its final stages of development or to be announced. Yet the government has now officially announced it, and the University of Canterbury is planning to begin training in 2026.
I am also feeling angry that the associate psychologist role is being presented as a solution, when I — and over 700 other psychologists — see it as a "butts on seats" Band-aid to a crisis that demands serious, evidence-based solutions.
Solutions that are worthy of the people of New Zealand, and of the mental health professionals who are working tirelessly to serve them.
• Dr Helen Buckland-Wright is an Auckland clinical psychologist.
