Institute of Health Psychology

The Institute of Health Psychology (IHP) shares the New Zealand Psychological Society's commitment to promote and disseminate psychology as a pure and applied science but with a specific focus on the discipline and interests of health psychology. Being a member of the IHP provides the combined benefits of the Society and the Institute, and is a great opportunity to contribute to health psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aims of the Institute

The Institute of Health Psychology was established in the interests of the public and the profession, to promote the highest standards of health psychology knowledge and practice within Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Institute specifically aims to:

(i)   Promote the discipline of Health Psychology in New Zealand

(ii)  Promote the professional development of health psychologists in New Zealand by facilitating opportunities for
      ongoing education and the sharing of information relevant to the practice of health psychology

iii)   Promote the interests of the profession of health psychology in New Zealand

Membership Criteria and Categories

Full Member (Practitioner) status is open to anyone who:
- Has New Zealand Registration as a Psychologist 
- Holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology or equivalent qualification (attained after a minimum of six years full-time university study, including a Masters Degree in Health Psychology)
Or 
- Has New Zealand Registration as a Psychologist 
- Has a minimum of three years experience or 1500 hours of supervised psychological practice with patients who have physical health problems

Full Member (Academic) status is open to anyone who:
- Holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology or equivalent qualification
- Currently works primarily in teaching or research activities related to the field of health psychology.

Associate Affiliate - status is open to anyone who:
- Has New Zealand Registration as a Psychologist
- Has experience or is currently working with patients who have physical health problems but has not amassed the amount of experience necessary for full membership.

Student Affiliate - status is open to anyone who:
- Has passed the Post Graduate Diploma of Science in Health Psychology and completed a Masters of Science in Health Psychology or equivalent qualification
Or - Is currently enrolled in the Post Graduate Diploma of Science in Health Psychology or equivalent qualification
     - Has been accepted to be enrolled in the Post Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology or equivalent qualification.
Click here for the student application form.

What are the benefits of belonging to the Institute?

Being a member of the IHP provides a range of benefits, including:

•   Recognition - your professional status will be easily recognised by employing authorities and other
     professional bodies. Full Members receive a Certificate of Membership and can use the title MNZPsS, MIHP.

•   Professional Support - you will have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with colleagues as
     part of a network of health psychologists throughout New Zealand.

•   Training and Conference - you get to attend regular IHP Peer Review meetings, and get discounted fees at
     IHP sponsored workshops. Your opinions and preferences can help shape the training that is offered.

•   Consultation and Representation - your views on relevant professional matters can be represented through
     IHP involvement in various government consultation groups and submissions.

Membership Fees

The annual membership levy is $57.50. Please provide payment of this levy along with your application. Once your membership application has been approved this payment will be processed. Thereafter a yearly levy is due with payment of your annual NZPsS levy. Student membership is free.

Governance

The IHP was formally established at the NZPsS's 2009 AGM. The IHP has an elected governing committee that meets quarterly to promote the Institute's aims. While subject to the rules of the Society, the IHP has its own set of governance rules, which are available on the NZPsS website or by request.

How to join the IHP

Please click here for an IHP Member Application Form.
In this document you will find the membership application form including supervisor's report template. When submitting your application please complete the relevant sections and provide copies of the required documentation (see application form for more details). Return these to the NZ Psychological Society. Your application will be reviewed by the delegated members of the IHP committee and you will be advised by post once it is processed. We aim to do this in a timely manner, which can be expected to take about 4 weeks once all documentation is received.

Contact the NZPsS membership administrator on membership@psychology.org.nz for more information.