The title and how it is regulated
New Zealand regulates psychotherapists and psychologists under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, through the Psychotherapists Board and the Psychologists Board: those titles are protected and require registration. Counsellors are not regulated, and “sex therapist” or “sexologist” may be used by anyone. Doctors are registered with the Medical Council.
There is no New Zealand qualification specific to sex therapy. Practitioners are registered psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors accredited by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors, and doctors, who have added overseas training — Australian sexology programmes, British COSRT courses or American AASECT certification. The Society of Australian Sexologists accredits some New Zealand members.
Public funding is limited. Sexual health clinics run by Te Whatu Ora are free for infections and contraception, and the former Family Planning service, now Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, offers low-cost consultations including some sexual-difficulty counselling. A GP visit is subsidised but charged; specialist referrals to urology, gynaecology or mental-health services are free through the public hospitals, with waits. ACC funds counselling and therapy for survivors of sexual abuse through its sensitive claims pathway, without a fixed session limit, with registered providers.
Outside those pathways, sex therapy is private, at roughly 130 to 220 dollars a session. Health insurance policies sometimes refund part of counselling or psychology costs, according to the plan.
Key points
| Title | “Sex therapist” unprotected; “psychotherapist” and “psychologist” protected and registered |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Psychotherapists Board and Psychologists Board under the HPCA Act; Medical Council for doctors |
| Training | Overseas sexology qualifications added to a registered or accredited profession |
| Free services | Sexual health clinics; public hospital referrals; Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa at low cost |
| ACC | Funds therapy for survivors of sexual abuse (sensitive claims) with registered providers |
| Private cost | About 130–220 dollars a session |
In practice
- Check the Psychotherapists Board or Psychologists Board register if the practitioner uses those titles, and the NZAC directory for counsellors.
- Ask about ACC sensitive claims if sexual abuse is part of your history: the first sessions are funded to assess the claim.
- Go through your GP for physical symptoms and for referral to public specialists.
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinics offer lower-cost consultations.
Cost and reimbursement
Sexual health clinic: free. GP: subsidised, charged. Public specialists: free with waiting lists. ACC sensitive claims: funded. Private sex therapy: 130–220 dollars a session, out of pocket unless insurance applies.
What has changed recently
Family Planning renamed itself Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa in 2024 and continues to offer low-cost sexual health services. No regulation of counsellors or sex therapists is planned.
Where to go
- Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand; New Zealand Psychologists Board.
- New Zealand Association of Counsellors: accredited counsellors.
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa: low-cost clinics.
- ACC: sensitive claims for survivors of sexual abuse.
Worth knowing
A registered psychotherapist is accountable to a board; a self-described sex therapist may be accountable to no one. Ask for the registration or accreditation before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is “sex therapist” a protected title in New Zealand?
No. “Psychotherapist” and “psychologist” are; sex therapists usually hold one of those registrations or NZAC accreditation, with extra training.
Is any sex therapy publicly funded?
Sexual health clinics are free, public specialists are free by referral, and ACC funds therapy after sexual abuse. General sex therapy is private.
What does ACC cover?
Assessment and therapy for the effects of sexual abuse or assault, with registered providers, through the sensitive claims process.
Official sources and links
- Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand — register of psychotherapists
- ACC — sensitive claims — funded therapy after sexual abuse
- govt.nz — official government information
- New Zealand Legislation — acts and regulations