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Fees and Funding
Treatment Costs, Funding, and Appointment Policies

At Anxiety New Zealand, we are committed to providing accessible and high-quality mental health services to those in need. While some services are funded, others require a fee to ensure continued access to professional support. Below is a breakdown of our services and associated costs.

Service Costs

Counselling or Intern Psychotherapist                

50 min

$78

Psychologist Needs Assessment    

50min

$185

Psychologist Appointment

50 min

$185

Psychiatric Assessment (Dr)    

Up to 50 min

$250

Psychiatric Follow-up (Dr)  

Up to 30 min

$185

Prescription fee + email and post

-

$29

Cancellation 24-48 hours’ notice

-

Half fee

Less than 24 hours’ notice or Did Not Attend

-

Full fee

Peer Support Groups

120min

Free

0800 ANXIETY Helpline (0800 269 4389)

-

Free

Online resources

-

Free

Note: As our services do not receive full government funding, fees may apply. If affordability is a concern, please review our funding assistance options below.

Appointment Policies

Our goal is to offer accessible and helpful services to support people to meet their goals. To help us achieve this, and to make the most of limited resources, we encourage you to make appointments at times in the future that will realistically suit, and to set reminders in your calendar (or other systems to help you remember). If you would like an additional SMS or email reminder at the time of booking please ask our friendly team and we will be happy to send you one.

Late Arrivals or Remote Appointments:

You may be able to move your appointment online or to a phone call - at no cost, and at short notice. Please contact reception if you want to switch to a Teams meeting on your phone or computer, or to have a phone call session with your therapist. We can usually set this up in a few minutes.

Changing or Cancelling Appointments:

We sincerely ask that you give us as much notice as possible if you need change your appointment time. Changing appointments with less than 48 hours may incur a half fee of the appointment cost, less than 24 hours’ notice will be the full cost of the appointment, and not arriving for the appointment (DNA) will be the full cost. Please note our Cancellation Policy is in place to reduce missed appointments, to offer support to people in need who are waiting to see their clinician, and to address limited resources alongside the cover the associated costs of cancelled or DNA appointments. Please note we have no external funding for clinical services.

*Fees for late notice / missed appointments are at our discretion. We understand that sometimes extreme circumstances may prevent you from making it to your appointment, so please contact us as soon as possible so that we can work with you.

If you need any more information, please do not hesitate in calling us at 09 846 9776 or emailing reception@anxiety.org.nz

Fees & Funding FAQ

You may be eligible to access funding for part or all of your treatment with us. We've outlined the different types of funding and answer some of the commonly asked questions below:

Paying for Treatment

We are not automatically government funded, so we rely on clients paying fees responsibly or using funding for one-to-one therapy. Payment must be made at each session unless payment is being made by another funder*. We accept cash, EFTPOS, Visa, and MasterCard (note: payWave is available with a surcharge fee) or bank deposit to 12-3077-0577127-00.

*Children, students and low-income earners may access funding for up to 30 appointments with a psychologist. Insurance may apply.

Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) & StudyLink

When we phone to make your first appointment, please tell us that you need WINZ or StudyLink funding. You will need some signed paperwork from us which you will need to take into WINZ or StudyLink or upload to their portal.

Need More Help?
  • Contact Us: We understand that it might feel overwhelming when applying for funding. If you need help understanding your options, feel free to contact us.

  • Contact WINZ or StudyLink: You can also contact WINZ Te Hiranga Tangata or StudyLink for more assistance.

*Please Note: If you are arranging funding through WINZ or StudyLink, please note that the individual receiving the service (or their caregiver) is responsible for any costs not covered by the funding. If a debt arises and funding ends for any reason, the outstanding amount will be owed directly to Anxiety NZ Trust.

Disability Allowance

Disability Allowance is a payment for people who have have ongoing, additional costs arising from that disability. You can see exactly what this payment can be used for here. These could be visits to the doctor, specialist, counsellor (see later in section or DA counselling), alternative treatments, supplements, or travel to personal health appointments. 

Disability allowance is income tested; you don't have to be on a benefit to qualify for a Disability Allowance. How much you get depends on your income and the extra costs you have because of your disability or health condition. The amount you receive each week is based on costs provided and is calculated over a 12-month period. You can find out more here.

Who can get it?
You may get a Disability Allowance if you: 
  • Have a disability that is likely to last at least 6 months

  • Have had ongoing, additional costs arising from that disability

  • Are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident

  • Normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here

  • Meet an income test together with your partner. 

To be able to receive Disability Allowance, a person must be assessed by a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner as having a disability:
  • That is likely to last at least 6 months OR

  • Have a life expectancy of less than 6 months because of a terminal illness.

You will need to provide verification of costs. It is important to list all expenses and keep receipts.


Disability Allowance Counselling

Disability allowance can also be used to pay for counselling related to your disability or health condition, including a mental health condition. If this is the first time you are applying for counselling, you can get up to 10 sessions. You can apply for more (up to 20) if a health practitioner, e.g., your doctor/nurse practitioner, recommends them. Disability allowance can be paid for the cost of transport to counselling - provided the need for counselling is directly related to the persons disability.

The cost is of counselling is not additional to other health related costs but forms part of eligible costs under DA.  

Students can also access disability allowance counselling via Study link if you are a full-time student or low-income earner.  

You will require a medical certificate from your GP/NP.

Please Note: Disability allowance can be paid for children only after all other funded/non funded avenues are exhausted. For example, Oranga Tamariki.

Child Disability Allowance

Child Disability Allowance (CDA) is a fortnightly payment made to the main carer of a child or young person with a serious disability or health condition. CDA is paid in recognition of the additional care and attention a child with a serious health condition or disability requires.  

To qualify, the child must:
  • Generally, be a NZ resident

  • Be a dependent child

  • Have a physical, sensory, psychiatric or intellectual disability

  • Need constant care and attention because of the disability

  • Be likely to need care permanently, or need care for more than 12 moths and

  • Meet the required living arrangements

Things to note:
  • Child Disability Allowance is not income tested.  

  • To apply, you need to complete the Child Disability Allowance application form. Your child's doctor/nurse practitioner or specialist needs to complete the medical certificate.  

  • You do not need to provide any proof of costs.   

  • You may also be able to receive a Disability Allowance to meet any additional costs the child has because of their disability.

  • CDA does not pay for costs associated with child’s health needs – please see disability allowance for costs. 

International students

In most cases, international students are fully covered through their pre-arranged travel insurance. The process is straightforward, and we are here to assist. Insurance is often included as part of the AUT/University fee, and many students may not be aware that they can access the treatment they need at no additional cost. Please note that pre-existing conditions are typically excluded.

Insurance

You will need to check that you are funded before seeing us. Depending on your insurance cover, you may be funded, although not all insurance contracts cover the cost of doctors OR psychologists.

Southern Cross may need you to see our Clinical Psychologist (instead of our general or health psychologists). Please make sure you tell us if you have insurance. 

Other Funding

If another company, organization, or trust is covering part or all of your treatment costs, we can assist with invoicing and communication, with your consent. We may need you to confirm the number of sessions they will cover, the costs involved, and the preferred invoicing details.

ACC

At this time, you will not be able to use ACC funding at Anxiety NZ Trust. If you would like to meet with an ACC registered clinician for therapy, please see Find Support.

Common Questions about Therapy / Counselling

Get answers to your questions about therapy and our services. Click here.

Referrals & Appointments

A referral form must be completed prior to booking appointments. Click here for the Referrals page.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please reach out:

Our team is here to support you.