Apply for Services
Need mental health support but have been turned down by others? We’ll help!
That’s what we’re here for – REALLY.
Just fill out the correct application form below and submit it.
We accept many forms of payment including credit card, bank transfers, AfterPay and interest-free payment plans.
Apply for Services
Need mental health support but have been turned down by others? We’ll help! That’s what we’re here for – REALLY.
Just fill out the correct application form below and submit it.
We accept many forms of payment including credit cards, bank transfers, AfterPay and interest-free payment plans.
ADHD and Autism Assessments
Through our ADHD and Autism program, we are able to offer help for ages from 3 to adult. All of our assessments are provided online, giving greater access to people throughout the country.
**DISCLAIMER FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR ADHD ASSESSMENTS**
This is NOT a medication management service.
If you are 18 or older and your assessment indicates that medication may be beneficial, we are able to provide a direct referral to The Nelson Clinic to provide this service (they can do this in-person and online). This will be at an additional cost that will be paid to The Nelson Clinic directly (approximately $700-$900). Their current wait time for ACFB referred clients is approximately 2 months.
If you have any additional questions about this program, it is highly recommended that you view our FAQs page by clicking the button below! Please be sure that you are well informed before you apply for your assessment.
We accept bank transfer, credit card, AfterPay, and can do interest-free payment plans!
Please note: The ranges within the income scale are to account for personal circumstances. Income is household family income, not just the applicant. If you do not wish to submit your financials, we will assess at the top price ($1,500 – $2,000). Even if your household income falls outside of our funding limits, we still encourage you to apply – our program is not limited to the income brackets specified. We will look at ANY and ALL referrals.
If you are looking to get an in-person assessment for autism, please note there will be an additional charge for the in-person clinic appointment required to meet their diagnostic criteria. Also know we are lobbying in the background to bring change so that telehealth diagnoses are accepted and are working with various players and organisations. If you would like to be a voice for change, please reach out to the email below.
We do offer discounts for multiple family members. Please contact us at: info@acfbfund.org.nz for more information. Please have your applications for all family members completed prior to reaching out.
Complex: An application may be considered more complex if there is an indication of other diagnoses or inconsistencies in the results. If it is revealed in the assessment process that your application is more complex, there will be an additional charge as stated above. Reports will not be generated until this additional charge has been paid so please try to give us all the information relevant to assess your fee appropriately. Please note that complex assessments may take more time to complete than other assessments. A team member will discuss this process with you if your application is identified as complex.
Urgent: Urgent or emergency appointments are available for those choosing to pay an additional fee. This ensures a video appointment with a Psychologist and completed reports back to you within 3 weeks from completing your questionnaires and work with Clinical Support . These appointments are on a first-come, first served basis and are limited weekly. Please email: info@acfbfund.org.nz prior to applying to check availability. With this option, no financials are needed, however the fee needs to be paid in full before we confirm any appointments or send any questionnaires. You will need to complete your questionnaires prior to your scheduled appointment to allow the process to keep moving quickly.
Brief: A brief report is one used for the purposes of self-exploration and validation. You will not meet with our Psychologist but you will complete many of the same questionnaires as the full assessment but will not be given an official diagnosis. You will get a letter summarising the findings, we will advise if we believe a further, fuller assessment is needed. Should this be recommended and you wish to upgrade to a full assessment, the amount you have already paid for the brief report will be credited to the assessment amount (see pay scales for those assessment amounts) and you will only need to pay the difference.
In-Person Autism Clinics: For a small subset of clients with an autism diagnosis, it may be appropriate to apply for funding for services like respite, individualised funding, etc. These are through what are called “NASCs” (Needs Assessment Service Coordination).
Each region uses a different NASC and each NASC is overseen by Whaikaha (the Ministry for Disabled people which is being absorbed into MSD).
Whaikaha, in consultation with one of the NASC providers, recently decided that there was no further need to divert from the Autism Guidelines for the diagnosis of autism and allow telehealth diagnoses, although this has been standard since 2020.
Although updated in 2011, this old, outdated document with old research is what is used as the “Gold Standard” for funding purposes. This doc forces usage of outdated in-person assessments and a multidisciplinary approach not required by the DSM for diagnosis.
Our new in-person clinics helps solve the following:
– Telehealth: We offer in-person clinic testing by the OT and Psych in addition to the work you do with the clinical team online.
– Multidisciplinary: By the end of your journey with us, you will have seen a: Counsellor, a Psych (or 2), and an OT. Meeting the criteria from the Autism Guidelines.
– Observations across multiple contexts: We will see you online in your home and in person in our Clinic.
This is the best we can do to navigate the new hurdles put in place. From here, we cannot guarantee that your NASC will provide funding or what reason they will decline next. We can guarantee you a diagnostic assessment that meets all the outlined criteria in the Autism Guidelines.
Clinics will be in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch and will expand with need.
For those who applied and started paying before Sept 1 2024 have been offered this clinic for free, if they need it but need to reply prior to Nov 1. Those who applied from Sept 1 will be asked to pay an additional $1,000 for this additional service.
If you oppose this additional level of assessment and subsequently, the additional charge, I urge you to sign our petition on this matter. You can find it here or use the QR code below:
ADHD and Autism Assessments
Through our ADHD and Autism program, we are able to offer help for ages from 3 to adult. All of our assessments are provided online, giving greater access to people throughout the country.
**DISCLAIMER FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR ADHD ASSESSMENTS**
This is NOT a medication management service.
If you are 18 or older and your assessment indicates that medication may be beneficial, we are able to provide a direct referral to The Nelson Clinic to provide this service (they can do this in-person and online). This will be at an additional cost that will be paid to The Nelson Clinic directly (approximately $700-$900). Their current wait time for ACFB referred clients is approximately 1-2 months.
If you have any additional questions about this program, it is highly recommended that you view our FAQs page by clicking the button below! Please be sure that you are well informed before you apply for your assessment.
We accept bank transfer, credit card, AfterPay, and can do interest-free payment plans!
Please note: The ranges within the income scale are to account for personal circumstances. Income is household family income, not just the applicant. If you do not wish to submit your financials, we will assess at the top price ($1,500 – $2,000). Even if your household income falls outside of our funding limits, we still encourage you to apply – our program is not limited to the income brackets specified. We will look at ANY and ALL referrals.
We do offer discounts for multiple family members. Please contact us at: info@acfbfund.org.nz for more information. Please have your applications for all family members completed prior to reaching out.
Complex: An application may be considered more complex if there is an indication of other diagnoses or inconsistencies in the results. If it is revealed in the assessment process that your application is more complex, there will be an additional charge as stated above. Reports will not be generated until this additional charge has been paid so please try to give us all the information relevant to assess your fee appropriately. Please note that complex assessments may take more time to complete than other assessments. A team member will discuss this process with you if your application is identified as complex.
Urgent: Urgent or emergency appointments are available for those choosing to pay an additional fee. This ensures a video appointment with a Psychologist and completed reports back to you within 3 weeks from completing your work with Clinical Support and your questionnaires . These appointments are on a first-come, first served basis and are limited weekly. Please email: info@acfbfund.org.nz prior to applying to check availability. With this option, no financials are needed, however the fee needs to be paid in full before we confirm any appointments or send any questionnaires. You will need to complete your questionnaires prior to your scheduled appointment to allow the process to keep moving quickly.
Brief: A brief report is one used for the purposes of self-exploration and validation. You will not meet with our Psychologist but you will complete many of the same questionnaires as the full assessment but will not be given an official diagnosis. You will get a letter summarising the findings, we will advise if we believe a further, fuller assessment is needed. Should this be recommended and you wish to upgrade to a full assessment, the amount you have already paid for the brief report will be credited to the assessment amount (see pay scales for those assessment amounts) and you will only need to pay the difference.
In-Person Autism Clinics: For a small subset of clients with an autism diagnosis, it may be appropriate to apply for funding for services like respite, individualised funding, etc. These are through what are called “NASCs” (Needs Assessment Service Coordination).
Each region uses a different NASC and each NASC is overseen by Whaikaha (the Ministry for Disabled people which is being absorbed into MSD).
Whaikaha, in consultation with one of the NASC providers, recently decided that there was no further need to divert from the Autism Guidelines for the diagnosis of autism and allow telehealth diagnoses, although this has been standard since 2020.
Although updated in 2011, this old, outdated document with old research is what is used as the “Gold Standard” for funding purposes. This doc forces usage of outdated in-person assessments and a multidisciplinary approach not required by the DSM for diagnosis.
Our new in-person clinics helps solve the following:
– Telehealth: We offer in-person clinic testing by the OT and Psych in addition to the work you do with the clinical team online.
– Multidisciplinary: By the end of your journey with us, you will have seen a: Counsellor, a Psych (or 2), and an OT. Meeting the criteria from the Autism Guidelines.
– Observations across multiple contexts: We will see you online in your home and in person in our Clinic.
This is the best we can do to navigate the new hurdles put in place. From here, we cannot guarantee that your NASC will provide funding or what reason they will decline next. We can guarantee you a diagnostic assessment that meets all the outlined criteria in the Autism Guidelines.
Clinics will be in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch and will expand with need.
For those who applied and started paying before Sept 1 2024 have been offered this clinic for free, if they need it but need to reply prior to Nov 1. Those who applied from Sept 1 will be asked to pay an additional $1,000 for this additional service.
If you oppose this additional level of assessment and subsequently, the additional charge, I urge you to sign our petition on this matter. You can find it here or use the QR code below:
The ACFB Fund
Born out of a deep frustration in the current mental health system, The ACFB Fund is A Change for Better’s (ACFB) answer to providing support to those who need it most.
Not anymore. Enough is enough
The main purpose of ACFB is to bring together a community of like-minded people all wanting the same change. Using a feature rich website design suited to assist mental health professionals, ACFB uses a portion of sales on all memberships and products. As ACFB grows, so does The ACFB Fund.
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 our Clinical 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.
Where Our Money Comes From
Currently, The ACFB Fund is funded by private donations, grants from funding organisations, our ADHD/ Autism Assessment program, and ACFB. We are looking to expand our fundraising efforts in 2024 with the goal of funding 200 therapy sessions.
