About the Relationship & Family Counselling Board

The Relationship and Family Counselling Board is committed to supporting a more connected, inclusive, and collaborative counselling profession. Our aim is to provide training, resources, advocacy, and professional support that strengthens the well-being of both practitioners and the communities they serve.

We believe in creating opportunities for learning, connection, and professional growth while encouraging a counselling industry that is accessible, supportive, and responsive to the diverse needs of individuals, couples, and families. Through education, community engagement, and professional development, we work to help build a stronger and more compassionate sector for everyone.

Our Founding Values

The Relationship & Family Counselling Board NZ was established to strengthen the counselling and therapy profession while improving outcomes for the people and communities we serve. We believe that supporting mental health professionals ultimately leads to better care for clients.

Our Board is founded on the following values:

1. Supporting Excellence in Practice

We are committed to promoting high standards of professional competence, ethical practice, ongoing learning, and accountability. We believe every practitioner should have access to the support and development they need to provide safe, effective, and evidence-informed care.

2. Advocating for Both Professionals and Clients

We believe strong professionals create better outcomes for clients. While protecting the public remains essential, we also advocate for the wellbeing, recognition, fair treatment, and professional interests of counsellors and therapists. We seek practical solutions that benefit both practitioners and the communities they serve.

3. Lifelong Learning

Learning does not end with qualification. We are committed to providing members with accessible, high-quality professional development, practical resources, webinars, workshops, and learning opportunities that encourage continual growth throughout their careers.

4. Cultural Understanding and Inclusion

New Zealand's communities are diverse, and effective counselling requires cultural humility and understanding. We actively support learning about the cultures represented throughout Aotearoa New Zealand by providing education from cultural experts and community leaders. We encourage members to develop culturally responsive practice that respects every person's identity, values, beliefs, and lived experience.

5. Valuing International Experience

Mental health professionals from around the world bring valuable knowledge, skills, and perspectives to New Zealand. We advocate for fair, transparent, and supportive pathways that recognise overseas qualifications and professional experience while ensuring safe practice within the New Zealand context. We seek to reduce unnecessary barriers for appropriately qualified immigrant practitioners entering the profession.

6. Professional Support and Connection

Counselling can be professionally demanding and personally isolating. We believe practitioners thrive when they are connected to supportive professional communities. We are committed to providing supervision, peer supervision, group supervision, networking opportunities, and mentoring to help members grow, reflect, and maintain their wellbeing.

7. Investing in the Future Workforce

The future of counselling depends on developing the next generation of practitioners. We advocate for meaningful, paid internship opportunities that recognise the value student counsellors bring while making the profession more financially accessible and sustainable.

8. Collaboration Over Competition

We believe the counselling profession is strongest when practitioners work together. We encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, interdisciplinary relationships, and mutual support across counselling, psychology, psychotherapy, social work, family therapy, and related helping professions.

9. Accessibility and Equity

Professional development and support should be available to practitioners regardless of where they live or the size of their practice. We strive to provide affordable membership, accessible learning, online supervision, and resources that support professionals throughout New Zealand.

10. Integrity and Professional Leadership

We are committed to transparency, integrity, fairness, and responsible governance. We aim to be a trusted voice for the profession by listening to our members, advocating with government and stakeholders, and contributing positively to the future of mental health services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Commitment

The Relationship & Family Counselling Board NZ exists to build a profession where practitioners are supported, clients receive high-quality care, cultural diversity is celebrated, international professionals are welcomed, and continuous learning is valued. Together, we are creating a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable future for counselling and therapy in New Zealand.