Welcome to The ACFB Fund
The charitable side of A Change for Better, The ACFB Fund seeks to fill the gaps in the current New Zealand mental health system.
Use the buttons below to either apply for psychological services from The ACFB Fund or check out members of our team.
Making Mental Health Support Accessible
At The ACFB Fund, we believe that everyone deserves access to mental health support and resources, regardless of their circumstances. Our mission is to break down barriers and foster a society that embraces inclusivity, resilience, and well-being.
The ACFB Fund Process
Complete the form and submit to the ACFB Fund for review and approval.
The ACFB Fund approves the application and allocates fee for service.
Meet the Clinical Diagnostic Team
Here are some of the faces of the Psychologists helping make our ADHD/Autism assessment program a success.
Dr. Amy Marschall, Psy.D.
Clinical Director
Amy is a doctorate-level Clinical Psychologist located in South Dakota, USA. Amy is registered by the Psychology Board of NZ.
Kate Nitschke
Educational Psychologist
Kate has nearly ten years experience as an Educational Psychologist working with the Ministry of Education and within a girls’ secondary school. Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Education), a Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology, a Masters in Educational Psychology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology Practice.
Dr. Natalie Peart
Clinical Psychologist
Natalie holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Auckland. She has many years of experience working with ADHD and autism in the community and private organisation, working across all age ranges. Natalie is also a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland and enjoys performing in theatre and playing netball.
Kiia Naidoo
Educational Psychologist
Kiia comes with a wealth of experience running ADHD and autism assessments at her role with the Ministry of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psych), Masters of Applied Social Work, Post Graduate Certificate in Educational and Developmental Psychology, and Post Graduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology.
Dr. Tessa Chaffey
Clinical Psychologist
Tessa holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Auckland. She has experience working with ADHD, autism, and intellectual disability in the community and has a particular interest in neuropsychological assessment. She has worked with individuals across the lifespan (from children through to older adults) and in a range of settings (e.g., hospital, community, clinic, research, prison).
Sarah Harrison
Psychologist
Sarah has 4 years experience in special education, providing behaviour support and psychological services to children and youth with existing diagnoses. Sarah is joining our team as an Intern Psychologist to develop her skills in conducting initial assessments for our neurodivergent population.
Cherry Reihana
(Ngāti Hine)
Intern Clinical Psychologist
Cherry holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor Honours degree (Science, Clinical Psychology). Currently, she is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology candidate awaiting the defence of her doctoral dissertation in Mate Ikura (Stroke) and Māori wellbeing.
She has experience working with ADHD, Autism, and mental health within the community. She has a background in Kaupapa Māori research and is trained in various therapeutic modalities to best support incoming tāngata whaiora (clients).
To see more about the other team members making things happen go here:
About: The ACFB Fund
Our Mission:
Our mission is two-fold: To support individuals in need of mental health therapy who may not otherwise qualify for resources, and to empower mental health professionals to make a lasting impact in their communities. By bridging the gap between those in need and dedicated clinicians, we facilitate a network of care that fosters growth, healing, and resilience.
Our Vision:
At A Change for Better and The ACFB Fund, we value community, accessibility, education, and innovation. Our vision is to make mental health support available to all, fostering a society that embraces inclusivity, resilience, and well-being.
Our Values:
Community (Tangata Whenua): Ensuring that ACFB is a bicultural organization, driven by the principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi. We work with tangata whenua, making meaningful contributions to local communities through the accessibility of mental health support, education, and innovation.
Accessibility (Āheitanga): Breaking down barriers and ensuring mental health support is available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances, ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Education (Akoranga): Empowering individuals and communities with knowledge and skills to promote mental well-being, fostering an informed and educated approach to mental health support.
Innovation (Tangongitanga): Embracing innovation to create transformative solutions, addressing the ever-evolving challenges in mental health care, and striving for better outcomes.
