Primary mental health and wellbeing services
Last updated: 7 April 2026
We have a range of supports for mental health and wellbeing across our network, from extended GP consults, primary mental health counselling and psychology through to health improvement practitioners and health coaches who work in a new, integrated way to help people manage challenges that adversely affect their wellbeing.
The integrated model - available in selected practices throughout our network - is about mental and physical health concerns – including thoughts feelings or actions that are impacting on health and wellbeing – so when people are in distress, they know there is appropriate support available that is easily accessible. Health and behaviour are so intertwined that it can be difficult to find any medical problem that does not involve behaviour in some way.
Pinnacle Primary Mental Health Service
The Pinnacle Primary Mental Health Service in Waikato provides support for people over 12 years experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns.
Our service is provided by a team of third-party providers in Waikato made up of local counsellors and psychologists.
If you are enrolled with a Pinnacle practice you may be entitled to up to four free sessions with a counsellor or psychologist, either face to face or via telehealth.
Your first appointment with a counsellor or psychologist usually takes about an hour and you are welcome to bring along a support person if you wish to. Together, you and the mental health professional will discuss your mental health concerns and you will learn new skills to cope with these. The counsellor or psychologist will help you develop a plan tailored to your needs.
Sometimes just having a talk is enough.
To make an appointment, speak to your GP or nurse. They will discuss with you whether this service is a good fit and can refer you to our service. We will then arrange for an appropriate counsellor or psychologist to contact you to arrange an appointment.
Integrated primary mental health and addiction services - a new model
This new model (Te Tumu Waiora in Lakes and Te Manawanui in Taranaki) is about accessible, engaging, connected care.
The integrated primary mental health and addiction service makes a range of supports rapidly available to a general practice’s enrolled population to help people manage challenges that adversely affect their wellbeing.
The integrated model is about mental and physical health concerns – including thoughts feelings or actions that are impacting on health and wellbeing – so when people are in distress, they know there is appropriate support available that is easily accessible. Health and behaviour are so intertwined that it can be difficult to find any medical problem that does not involve behaviour in some way.
The types of support available for people experiencing distress includes self-management support, brief interventions, and social and cultural supports.