The New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists is a registered New Zealand Incorporated Society and a non-profit professional services organisation committed to ensuring the highest standards of clinical psychology are available to the public of New Zealand.

The College aims to meet goals in several primary areas:

Identification of Clinical Psychologists

Clinical Psychology should be clearly identifiable to the public as a specialty. The College aims to provide a process by which trained and competent clinical psychologists can be identified and distinguished from others offering mental health services. It is not the policy of the College to attempt to exclude others from their right to offer psychological services. Rather, we see our role as providing positive information about what well trained clinical psychologists have to offer.

The procedures and processes for applying for membership of the College are outlined at the link above. Members of the College are encouraged to use the acronym “MNZCCPsych” as a way of identifying for the public and referring agents that they are clinical psychologists.

Education

The knowledge and techniques of treatment which form the base of clinical psychology are continually being researched and developed. Until the advent of the College there was no systematic arrangement in New Zealand for qualified clinical psychologists to undertake continuing education to keep their knowledge up to date, or to develop expertise and knowledge in new areas. The College works to foster, provide and co-ordinate such training, and to promote regular participation by members.

Representation

Focused representation of concerns affecting clinical psychology as a profession is essential. The College aims to present and promote the quality and skills of its own members and assist in educating the public about sound standards of practice.