There are few permanent full-time positions advertised for psychotherapists.
However, they often work part time as psychotherapists in private practice and combine this with paid work as a case worker, counsellor or addictions counsellor.
Psychotherapist appears on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled psychotherapists from overseas to work in New Zealand.
Forty percent of psychotherapists work part time.
According to the Census, 600 psychotherapists worked in New Zealand in 2018.
More demand in rural locations
Demand for psychotherapists is higher in rural areas, for example work as a private contractor for ACC. However, these jobs are not always full time.
Self-employment common and types of employers varied
Sixty-five percent of psychotherapists are self-employed. They may also work for:
- Te Whatu Ora Health NZ
- government departments such as Department of Corrections, Ministry of Education, Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, ACC and Defence Force
- iwi organisations
- non-governmental organisations such as Red Cross
- addiction, trauma and abuse centres
- universities and polytechnics.
