Fees and payment

Mindwell's session fee

Every session with every Mindwell psychologist costs the same: $199 + GST, which is $228.85 including GST, for 50 minutes. There is no higher fee for a first appointment or for a particular psychologist. The fee includes:

• A 50-minute session with a registered psychologist
• Secure Carepatron video, with no download required
• Availability from anywhere in New Zealand
• Payment taken upfront, so there is nothing to settle afterwards
• Secure online payment via Stripe

You don't need a GP referral, and first sessions are typically available within 7 days.

How much does a psychologist cost in NZ?

Private psychologists in New Zealand typically charge around $150 to $240 a session, while public mental health services are free but are mainly for people with more significant needs, are usually reached through your GP, and often have waiting lists. At Mindwell every 50-minute session is $199 + GST ($228.85 including GST).

Can I claim through health insurance?

Many health insurance providers cover psychology sessions. We provide a receipt after each session that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Check your policy for the details of your mental health or psychology cover.

Three things to look for in your policy document. First, the annual limit: a comparison of New Zealand insurers found psychiatrist and psychologist consultation benefits ranging from about $750 to $2,500 a year on policies that include them, and not included on others. At Mindwell's fee, $750 covers roughly three sessions and $2,500 roughly ten. Second, whether a GP referral is required before you claim; some insurers ask for one. Third, whether there is a waiting period or a stand-down for pre-existing conditions. Our guide to health insurance and psychologists goes through the main insurers.

Can I use ACC?

We are not an ACC provider. Our sessions are self-funded. If your difficulties relate to an ACC-covered injury (including sensitive claims), an ACC-contracted provider may be a better fit, and we're happy to point you in the right direction if you contact us.

Book a session How booking works →

How many sessions, and what it adds up to

The number of sessions varies from person to person, depending on what you're working on and what you want from therapy. Your psychologist will talk this through with you, usually after your first session or two. Sessions at Mindwell are typically weekly or fortnightly, and you book one at a time, so there's no commitment beyond the next appointment.

The arithmetic is simple because the fee doesn't change:

• 6 sessions: 6 × $228.85 = $1,373.10 (plus card processing fees, about $43 in total)
• 12 sessions: 12 × $228.85 = $2,746.20 (plus card processing fees, about $87 in total)

Spread over a few months of weekly or fortnightly sessions, that is a manageable figure for many people, and a $750 insurance benefit would cover around half of a six-session course. For some problems, such as a full course of ERP for OCD, more sessions are common (see what OCD treatment costs in NZ and how medication and therapy fit together); for others, people find what they need in fewer.

How payment works

Payment is processed securely via Stripe when you book. Your card is saved when you first book, and payment is taken upfront. A card processing fee of 2.9% + 60¢ applies to all transactions, which on a $228.85 session comes to about $7.24. We do not accept bank transfers.

You receive a receipt after each session. It is what you submit to your insurer if you're claiming, and what you keep for your own records.

Why the fee is shown plus GST

GST (goods and services tax) is charged at 15% on most goods and services in New Zealand, including private health services such as psychology. Many practices quote fees plus GST because that's how businesses compare them, so we show both figures: $199 + GST is $228.85 once GST is added, and $228.85 is what you pay.

Cancellations and missed sessions

We ask for at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule, and if you cancel with that much notice, your session fee is refunded. With less notice, the full session fee applies, including if you move the session to another time, and the same applies if you don't attend. A psychologist's time is booked for you alone, and a late cancellation can't be offered to someone else. See the full Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy.

Additional professional services

Services beyond standard therapy sessions, written reports, GP or specialist correspondence, therapy summaries, attendance at meetings, or phone calls with other professionals that you have requested, may be charged separately. Your psychologist will always advise you of the fee and get your agreement before undertaking any such work.

Related support: How it works · Health insurance and psychologists in NZ · Online therapy in New Zealand

Updated October 2026 · How we write our information