Frequently Asked Questions
There are many reasons a child may benefit from seeing a child psychologist. This is something that we can discuss over the phone, and why we recommend an initial free telephone consultation prior to arranging an appointment. Often, we advise that if a problem is beginning to affect family life, your child’s friendships, school work or their quality of life, it is advisable to seek an assessment.
We will do our best to help you and your child to feel comfortable and at ease, and it is often useful to have a parent at the first appointment, for at least part of the session, to provide any relevant background and developmental information.
We will spend some time getting to know your child, talking about their interests, friends, hobbies and strengths, what their hopes are for coming to see us, and what they would like to be different in their life. We hope that, by the end of the first appointment, we are beginning to have a shared understanding of the difficulties that brought your child to come and see us, and how we might work together going forward.
Typically, we tend to see young people for 6 to 10. Some people can make significant progress after 4 to 6 sessions while others can take longer. We review progress after each session and then plan and discuss with you how many more sessions are likely to be needed.
Saplings is a child physchology clinic based between Auckland and Christchurch, with counselling, support and assessments provided by Lindi Hanssen, MA (Psychology Hons), BA (Education & Psychology), NZTC, MNZPS.
Lindi is a Registered Psychologist and former registered teacher, and a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society who has been in private practice for more than thirty years. She has a special interest in children and young people experiencing challenges associated with Specific Learning Disorders (reading, written language and mathematics), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Assessment fees will vary according to the needs of the child. This will be explained at the time of the Pre-Appointment Discussion, which is free of charge. A comprehensive assessment such as a cognitive-educational assessment and a ADHD screening will incur a higher.
Counselling is $195.00 per hour (50 minutes spent with child, 10 minutes record-keeping), and Home and School Visits are $195.00 per hour, including travelling time.
This will depend on what an assessment involves. For example, a standard cognitive-educational assessment involves a no-fee telephone discussion prior to any appointment to determine what is needed, four to five hours of contact time, a comprehensive report and a follow-up telephone discussion.
It’s also important to understand that much ‘behind the scenes’ work is involved – reading earlier assessments, medical reports, school reports, analysis of the 1:1 work, report-writing etc.
An appointment letter confirming the assessment process and fee will be emailed to you when a firm booking is made.
Be straightforward. Your child is likely aware that he or she is having difficulty with an aspect of learning. Simply acknowledge that, and explain to him or her that we are exploring how he/she best learns, and to find ways to make reading/ writing/ mathematics etc. easier.
Older children are usually quite calm. They may have worried for some time about their progress and want to understand what is causing the difficulties. Some may have even Googled their ‘symptoms'.
If your child tends to worry it may be preferable to tell him/her a day or two prior to the assessment.
Unless circumstances require your presence, counselling and assessments are done 1:1 with no other people in the room. Once your child is settled, you are welcome to remain in the waiting area, or to simply return at the end of the appointment.
Children cannot be unattended in the waiting room and It is much easier to talk when no other children are present. You are welcome to bring other children in if you are simply dropping your child off, and then returning to pick them up after their session.
Waiting times will vary, particularly after a Lockdown. Wait times of four to six weeks can be expected. We can offer a more accurate estimate on availability upon enquiry.
Please be aware that as a large block of time is set aside for an appointment, and alterations to assessment appointments must be arranged at least 10 business days prior to the appointment. This is to enable the time to be reallocated to another person and to ensure that a replacement appointment is available. Cancellation policy: For cancellations 10 business days prior: no charge. For cancellations with fewer than 10 business day notice: a 50% charge applies. For cancellations with no notice given: the full fee will be charged.
Have another question not included here?
Lindi will be more than happy to assist you.