It was billed as the year everything would be better – but 2025 been a huge year for counsellors with almost half now facing waiting lists for people needing help.
The national body representing 3500 counsellors said demand is high, and the issues people have are now a lot more complex.
New Zealand Association of Counsellors president Huhana Pene, said: "They're so busy that they’ve had to cap it and close the books off for new intake of clients, so that leaves people waiting even more."
Sarah Maindonald is a counsellor at Purapura Whetu in Christchurch. The kaupapa Māori health trust was established in 2002, and is a wellbeing and social service provider combining clinical, cultural, and community support.
“We have a collaboration of eight different agencies and they are just all full to the brim. We had the highest referral rate in October of 265 young people, which has been the highest since 2023,” she said.
A New Zealand Association of Counsellors workforce survey showed the main reasons for people seeking help in 2025 were for anxiety or stress (83%), trauma and PTSD (70%), family or relationship support (59%), and depression (50%) – with most experiencing many of these issues.
Pene said: "These issues are not new, but the level of high risk, severity and complexity have definitely increased."
Maindonald said there were some simple ways people could help themselves through the holiday season – take some time away from the electronic devices.
"It's turned into a fiasco of buying. Don’t get sucked into that. It’s actually about connecting with people – so much better to connect with your family, or neighbours or connect to your community."
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