The ACFB Fund

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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.

How We Make a Difference

1. Mental Health Therapy: Through generous donations and fundraising efforts, The ACFB Fund provides mental health support to individuals who require mental health therapy but may not have the means to access it by funding their sessions via ACFB Fund vetted professionals.

2. ADHD and Autism Assessments: With the help of Psychological Services team, we can offer discounted ADHD and Autism assessments without the wait times of other providers. 

3. ACFB Accredited Clinics: We partner with Accredited ACFB Clinics, ensuring that individuals can connect with trusted professionals who are dedicated to providing accessible therapy.

4. Tech for Therapy: We believe in the power of technology to break barriers. Our Tech for Therapy Program equips therapists and clients with the necessary technology and education to engage in online therapy effectively.

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. To see more about the other team members making things happen go here:

Dr. Natalie Peart

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

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.

Kate Nitschke

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.

Sarah Harrison

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.

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.

If you are looking for autism related funding through NASC/ Whaikaha then this is not the assessment for you at this time.

Whaikaha have changed their minds after years of accepting telehealth diagnoses and have said our diagnoses no longer meet their long list of strict criteria. We will be providing support to those who already received a diagnosis with us but are not sure about going forward if we will continue the higher requirements now set forth by Whaikaha. 

In the meantime, we are advocating to anyone and everyone who might be able to help us and would love your support as well. Please make a complaint. You can find more information on the Whaikaha website here.

The ACFB Fund is not a crisis counselling centre, and we cannot provide emergency services for active or prospective clients.

If you’re in a life-threatening situation or experiencing a mental health emergency, this service is not appropriate for you at this time. Instead, use the following helplines to get the support you need:

  • Lifeline New Zealand: 0800 543 354 (call or text)
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
  • 1737 – Need to Talk?: Free call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor (available 24/7)
  • Healthline: 0800 611 116 (available 24/7)

These contacts are available for immediate crisis support and can help connect you to further assistance.