The Therapeutic Intent of the New Zealand Mental Health Review Tribunal

The New Zealand Mental Health Review Tribunal states that therapeutic intentions guide its decision-making process. The review body reports that it endeavours to make positive comments and promote therapeutic relationships (Review Tribunal, 2004). We undertook a thematic analysis of the 95 cases of the Review Tribunal from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 to discern whether these intentions are communicated within the written decisions. We also inquired through content analysis whether other therapeutic efforts are apparent in the decisions. There was ample evidence of the desired pro-therapeutic intent. Furthermore, we found evidence of other therapeutic approaches involving the incorporation of consumers' perspectives, the Tribunal's giving of advice and the Tribunal actively challenging some professional participants' decisions regarding treatment. Finally, we noted that the Tribunal takes particular account of the cultural and religious affiliation of some people during proceedings, which may have pro-therapeutic effects. However, we believe some well-intended statements could be perceived as coercive or demeaning with unintended repercussions upon service users. International scholarship indicates some scepticism by health professionals regarding whether therapeutic benefits flow from administrative review hearings (Grundell, 2005). Our research indicates some constructive aspects of the New Zealand review process based on the Tribunal's commitment to therapeutic processes. There remains a lack of evaluative research to determine the benefit of the good intentions initiated by the Review Tribunal.