Our Service

Connected Minds provides private, Nurse Practitioner–led mental health and neurodevelopmental care for children (from age 5), adolescents, and their families. Our service is designed for people seeking non-urgent, outpatient assessment and ongoing care.

We may be a good fit if you or your child need support with:

  • ADHD assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management or review
  • Autism assessments where support needs are mild to moderate and suitable for outpatient care – From May 2026
  • Mild to moderate mental health concerns, such as anxiety, low mood, OCD, eating disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, or attention concerns
  • Diagnostic clarification when challenges are complex but currently stable
  • Medication review, initiation, or optimisation (when clinically appropriate and within Nurse Practitioner scope)
  • Ongoing follow-up care for mild to moderate mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions
  • Care through a private clinic, with the ability to attend scheduled appointments either in person or via telehealth

Connected Minds may not be the right service at this time if:

We are not an acute or crisis service. Our clinic may not be suitable if you or your child are currently experiencing:

  • An immediate mental health crisis, including active suicidal thoughts requiring urgent support
  • Active psychosis, mania, severe mood instability, or eating disorders that require hospital-based or secondary mental health services
  • High or unmanaged risk of harm to self or others
  • A need for inpatient care or intensive community crisis support
  • A primary need for assessment or ongoing treatment of personality disorders
  • Primary substance dependence requiring specialist alcohol and drug services
  • Highly complex presentations that are best supported by Te Whatu Ora / secondary mental health services
All clinical care is provided by a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) practising within full authorised scope. This includes comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and prescribing where clinically appropriate.

No. Connected Minds does not provide urgent or crisis care.

If you or someone else is at immediate risk, please contact:

  • Emergency services (111)
  • Your local mental health crisis team
  • Te Whatu Ora secondary mental health services

Referrals & Booking

No. Self-referrals are welcome.
We also accept referrals from GPs / primary care teams, schools, psychologists / therapists / counsellors and allied health professionals.

After you contact us:

  1. You will be sent intake, consent, and screening forms
  2. These are reviewed by the Nurse Practitioner
  3. You will be offered an appointment aligned with clinical recommendations

Pre-assessment forms allow us to:

  • Ensure informed consent
  • Assess suitability and safety
  • Use appointment time effectively
  • Tailor the assessment to your needs

 

Incomplete forms may delay booking.

Consent & Confidentiality

Informed consent means:

  • You understand the nature and purpose of the service
  • You understand potential benefits and risks
  • You have had the opportunity to ask questions
  • You agree voluntarily to proceed

Consent is an ongoing process and can be withdrawn at any time.

Your information is handled in accordance with:

  • The Privacy Act 2020 (NZ)
  • Health Information Privacy Code

Information is stored securely and accessed only for clinical purposes.

Confidentiality may be limited if:

  • There is a serious risk to you or others
  • Disclosure is required by law
  • There are safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable person

Where possible, this will be discussed with you first.

Assessments

An initial assessment may include:

  • A detailed clinical interview
  • Developmental, mental health, and psychosocial history
  • Risk and safety screening
  • Discussion of goals and concerns

At the end of the session, next steps will be discussed.

Not always. Some assessments require:

  • Additional questionnaires
  • Collateral information (e.g. school input)
  • A second appointment

This ensures accuracy and safety.

Yes. We assess:

  • ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences
  • Mental health concerns
  • Overlapping or co-existing presentations

Medication

Yes — when clinically indicated and within authorised NP scope.

Medication is:

  • Never the only option
  • Considered carefully and collaboratively
  • Monitored closely if prescribed

Not usually. Medication decisions typically occur:

  • After a comprehensive assessment
  • Once diagnosis and formulation are clear
  • Following discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives

That is completely okay.
Non-medication treatment options will always be discussed, and your preferences are respected.

Use of Heidi AI

Heidi AI is a clinical documentation support tool that may assist with drafting clinical notes.

If used:

  • It supports note-taking only
  • All notes are reviewed, edited, and approved by the Nurse Practitioner
  • It does not make clinical decisions

Yes.
You may consent to or decline the use of Heidi AI at any time.
Your care will not be affected if you decline.

Fees, Payments & Cancellations

Payment is required on the day of your appointment. See Services and Fees for more details

  • Appointments must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance
  • Late cancellations or non-attendance will incur a fee
  • See Client Intake & Consent Pack for more details
Some services may be eligible for private health insurance reimbursement. Please check directly with your insurer.

Children & Young People

Yes. Parent or caregiver involvement is required for children and usually for adolescents, with care taken to balance confidentiality and developmental needs.
Only with consent. School input may be requested when clinically helpful.

Concerns or Complaints

We encourage you to raise concerns directly so they can be addressed early.

You also have the right to contact:

  • Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC)