Mikala Boon, Clinical Psychologist

05/08/2025

Another great blog post from Petra Hoggarth, PhD. This one is covering more detail also about the upcoming changes in prescribing special authority medications from Febuary 2026.

From February 2026 specialist trained GP will be able to assess and diagnose ADHD and prescribe stimulant medication. This blog post contains the most up-to-date information of how this will work

24/06/2025

Changes have been announcing regarding the initiation and prescribing of special authority ADHD medication....most notably for adults.

This article seems to be the most accessible explanation of the changes announced to start in February
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/25-06-2025/the-changes-to-adhd-treatment-rules-explained

And for the full pharmac announcement and detail, you can find this here:
https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2025-06-decision-to-change-the-regulatory-and-funding-restrictions-for-stimulant-medicines-for-adhd

Being diagnosed and prescribed with meds is set to get much easier.

13/06/2025

Please feel free to skip my lengthy professional diatribe if its not your thing :)

Submissions to the New Zealand Psychologists Board close on Monday for consultation regarding the Associate/Assistant Psychologist/AP scope.

I have never felt so strongly about the value of my profession as I have while trying to explain all the foreseeable problems with this proposed scope.

I have been trying every way I can to explain how ethical and evidence based support for mental health actually matters. I also think it matters more, now than ever. It's not just about seeing someone. It's seeing someone who has the skills and capability to even know what the most effective help is, and to apply it sensitively and productively... so you don't need them anymore.

It might be nice to talk, find groups, watch YouTube and TikToks with advice... there are always people who want to help. But how do you know what is safe and effective when you really need it. When you've tried everything else. What is left? Whose advice is trustworthy, or just well meaning? What is a mental health intervention?

I will leave you with two wonderful open submission letters which also speak very clearly for themselves.

https://psychologyatthecrossroads.substack.com/p/opposing-the-proposed-associate-psychologist

https://psychologyatthecrossroads.substack.com/p/a-submission-to-te-poari-kaimatai

A submission to the NZPB

23/04/2025

A great fact checking article if you are unsure what the fuss is about the proposed new scope!

By an anonymous NZ Clinical and Neuropsychologist.

06/04/2025

Opinion piece by Dr Helen Buckland-Wright - a Clinical and Neuropsychologist

06/04/2025

In case you aren't sure what's going on with the petition and the associate psychologist scope proposal... you can check out some more background on our substack... if you like reading :)

https://psychologyatthecrossroads.substack.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJe4bBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHobGCwSORgxAWAcBX4v1tZXr_6wiATrqXhKFa7yE-QB0dLjQqrDbf5VXmTis_aem_uwnCQmMgmQl6Hhd-dl2umw

Independent NZ psychologists committed to protecting our field’s integrity amid growing government and stakeholder interventions. We stand for scientific rigor, ethics, and professional autonomy to ensure optimal mental health care for all NZers. Click to read Psychology At The Crossroads, a Subst...

28/03/2025

Lots of brave Psychologists speaking out for public safety and accountability in this article.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE2503/S00087/psychologists-warn-of-patient-risk-from-undertrained-workforce.htm?fbclid=IwY2xjawJT4aZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHT3_OSbOw-nB736-N2MFZnx2Q1FUuqaE9STKtw3MO-Bp39pwXVmKovGqzQ_aem_ej8d8SEG-uHooFUCJxwOKw

These professionals speaking out is why I became a Clinical Psychologist and what I believed our profession and professional body represented. Safe, effective and high quality services for vulnerable people in need of help with their mental health.

Speaking out against things that are wrong or harmful and questioning below face value statements is something we need MORE of, not less.

Psychologists fear that without the proper training, associate psychologists may fail to identify serious mental health issues such as su***de risk, psychosis, and personality disorders.

26/03/2025

Our ActionStation petition is live! Thanks so much to Dr. Kumari and all of the those working together behind the scenes to figure out how to voice our concerns.

You can read it here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/protect-public-safety-and-psychology-in-new-zealand-a-petition-by-psychologists-and-supporters?fbclid=IwY2xjawJQr5FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUpx_e7ae23SqqgBL70yPsH0Ux6YDaBmdE1NVXPzaVdmVePeUCbi_8NWDw_aem_6AwLIh0jlF5w1Ko_8Adu5A

  1. Risk to Public Safety: Psychology is a highly skilled profession requiring extensive postgraduate education, clinical training, and supervised practice. A one-year training programme following an undergraduate degree does not equip individuals with the necessary clinical competence to asse...

26/03/2025

You might see this in the media. Many of us do not support a brand new and untested training programme and Psychologist scope.

The proposed Associate Psychologist scope will not hold the qualifications required currently for the title of "Psychologist" and we do not believe this proposed scope is safe.

Sometimes "better than nothing" is actually worse. At the least, it's a false economy. At worst, it's harmful. When it comes to public services, this means harm to the most vulnerable people in need of quality services and support.

All of this detracts and takes funding and training and supervision that could go into supporting adequately skilled and qualified Clinical Psychologists that have the capacity to make a difference. Not just tick a box.

Psychologists fear that the Government's plans will dumb down the profession.

23/03/2025

Sharing because I can't say this any better... and I think more people need to know what this means for public mental health services...

ETA: here is the public consultation link, found by my friend. Even this presumes it is a given:

The direct consumer survey link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5L5Y6JM

I’m deeply worried about the ”proposed” [but bulldozering ahead] scope of ”Associate/Assistant” psychologists to be in tertiary care settings working with vulnerable clients. There are so many issues but just one is that training people for less time (4 years instead of 6 or eight), removing the research component (our model is of a scientist practitioner), a lack of intensive supervised practice ahead of registration, and a lack of supervision by anyone (not necessarily a Psychologist) is not ok. My clients are NOT Guinea pigs.

On Tuesday the 18th March the Beehive released this:

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-associate-psychology-role-grow-mental-health-workforce

I’m having a cup of coffee away from the kids ❤️ and brought my cards for a wee spot of inspiration. This is the card I drew….so here are three things I am grateful for amongst this:
1. I am grateful beyond words for the privilege of working with my courageous clients. They make the choice to act easy.
2. I am grateful for my friends and colleagues who are fighting this with me. Some of these friends have known me since I was 17/18 years old!!
3. I am grateful for my expensive and intensive education. It formed a good base. My clients then taught me important things and I further invested in more.

Ok, I can’t help myself:
4. I am grateful for the power of EMDR and my colleagues, mentors, supervisors and teachers. I am grateful for my supervisees and students.
5. I am grateful for my mother and grandmother, without whom I would not have access to education

PS - remember that for the magic of gratitude we focus on genuine small or not so small things we are actually grateful for; not things we feel we should be grateful for ❤️.

14/02/2025

Update on DEN/EMP: I had a few emails from Hon Seymour late last year about how hard it is to change regulations to make DEN at 4 pills a day a dietary supplement because it involves multiple Ministries working together. However, he promises he is trying.

Meanwhile, as part of the new year to keep the pressure on, today I pressed Medsafe and MPs again to fix the regulations. It isn't hard. I communicated that I have heard from people all over Aotearoa New Zealand that Medsafe's solution is NOT working and many people are very frustrated and angry that they cannot easily get the micronutrients in NZ as physicians are not always helpful and the cost of importing is too high.

Today I spoke with a reporter from RNZ, Katie Todd, who would like to do a story on the issue. Does anyone have a story of how Medsafe's essential ban has affected their life? Either share below so that Katie can contact you and/or email her and she can discuss the process of being interviewed about the story: katie.todd@rnz.co.nz. Share below as well so I can know we have found some volunteers! We can get there if we collectively push hard enough!

Image created by copilot

17/12/2024

**Proposal to change the regulatory and funding restrictions for stimulant treatments for ADHD**
17 December 2024

Please have a look through the proposed changes outlined below, and set a reminder (or do it immediately if space allows) to give feedback on these proposed changes using this feedback link: https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2024-12-proposal-to-change-the-initial-criteria-and-regulations-for-stimulant-treatments-for-adhd/feedback-on-proposed-changes-to-adhd-prescriber-rules

It looks like the most major proposed possible change is to widen the prescriber options to include general practitioners for adults.... have a read and let them know your thoughts!!!

https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2024-12-proposal-to-change-the-initial-criteria-and-regulations-for-stimulant-treatments-for-adhd

Proposal to change the regulatory and funding restrictions for stimulant treatments for ADHD 17 December 2024 What we’re proposing We’re seeking feedback on a proposal to amend the prescriber restrictions for access to stimulant medicines methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine from ...