Towards the statutory registration of psychotherapists in Aotearoa New Zealand

Political and personal reflections

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to reflect, both personally and politically, on our Association's move towards the statutory registration of psychotherapists. This reflection is timely since the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Bill will come into effect in September of this year, allowing 15 health professions to be included under its provisions. The Minister of Health and the Ministry of Health are in the process of deciding whether psychotherapy is also to be included as a new profession under the Act.