THE NEW ZEALAND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY PRACTITIONERS
ASSOCIATION (NZHPPA)
Health Psychology is a rapidly developing field of psychology that involves understanding human behaviour in the context of health and illness. Like other specialty areas of psychology, it is a large field and covers areas such as: how individuals cope with illness and chronic disease, psychological influences on the development of disease states, understanding and improving adjustment in health care settings, patient - practitioner communication, adherence to treatment, determinants of health-related behaviours (diet, exercise etc), and understanding how individuals make sense of and react to health screening, symptoms, and illness.
Over the last few years, there are more psychologists identifying as practicing health psychology. Currently, practitioners of Health Psychology are forging an identity and encountered numerous barriers in the process. These difficulties appear normal with respect to any new discipline that is in its early stages of establishment. However, this has highlighted a need to create a supportive environment to assist in the promotion of Health Psychology Practice. Hence, the New Zealand Health Psychology Practitioners Association (NZHPPA) was formed.
Objectives of the Association
The objectives for which the Association is established are:- To promote the discipline of Health Psychology in New Zealand.
- To promote the professional development of Health Psychologists in New Zealand by facilitating opportunities for ongoing education and the sharing of information relevant to the practice of Health Psychology.
- To promote high standards of ethical and professional service and practice on the part of Health Psychologists.
- To promote the interests of the Profession of Health Psychology in New Zealand.