Addressing New Zealand's Psychologist Shortage: A Call for Reform in Training
November 28, 2024 - 08:34
If the government is serious about addressing New Zealand’s shortage of psychologists, it needs to introduce practical job training earlier in the qualification process. The current model, which emphasizes theoretical knowledge over hands-on experience, is proving inadequate in meeting the demands of mental health services.
With rising mental health issues across the nation, the gap between the need for psychologists and the number of trained professionals continues to widen. Many aspiring psychologists find themselves graduating without the necessary practical skills to effectively support clients in real-world scenarios.
By restructuring the training framework to include earlier and more extensive practical training, the government can better prepare future psychologists for the challenges they will face in the field. This shift could not only increase the number of qualified professionals but also enhance the quality of care provided to those in need.
Immediate action is essential to ensure that New Zealand's mental health services are equipped to support its population effectively.
MORE NEWS
August 19, 2026 - 02:46
A psychologist went to Arctic Norway expecting two months of winter darkness to make people miserable. Instead, she found that many locals had learned to see the polar night as cosy, beautiful, and strangely restorativeMost people assume that two months of near-total darkness would wear anyone down. A psychologist traveled to Arctic Norway with that exact expectation, ready to document the toll the polar night...
August 18, 2026 - 01:54
Psychology suggests charm is less about performing confidence than creating responsiveness — the feeling that someone is listening closely, asking real questions, and treating your life as interestingMost people assume charm is about being smooth, witty, or radiating self-assurance. But psychology points to something far less flashy. Charm, it turns out, is less about performing confidence and...
August 16, 2026 - 20:31
When Your Mother’s Diagnosis Unlocks Your OwnJordan Davis always knew she was different, but she never had a word for it. She was a good student, articulate, and high-achieving, yet she constantly heard the same criticism from teachers and...
August 16, 2026 - 15:48
Psychology says when parents pressure their adult children to visit, something predictable happens — researchers call it reactance, and it makes even the kids who wanted to come start looking for the exitMost parents mean well when they ask their grown children to come home more often. But a steady stream of guilt trips, reminders, and pointed comments about missed holidays can trigger a...