Cherie Benns Clinical Psychology Services Ltd 303 Selwyn Street, Spreydon, Christchurch, Canterbury 8024

"I was referred to Ms Benns after a year of treatment for reassessment of my case for ACC. There were almost 30 discrepancies in her report from what I told her. She basically torpedoed my sensitive claim that I have been fighting ACC for since 1987. I told her my sister died after suffering from leukaemia for 29 years, and she wrote she died at 29 ( oh which according to her report was the second time my sister died). The psychiatrist who referred me to her, well she never referred to his notes even though he had been treating me for a year. Instead she relied on GP notes and notes from a psychiatrist I only saw twice. I had two 2 hour sessions with her and a 20 minute zoom meeting as a follow up, but she charged ACC for 8 sessions. So I had to lodge an appeal with ACC which meant no treatment for 15 months, so thanks for that. I couldn't recommend her less. Total quackery!"

"As noted by others, Cherie is dishonest. She wrote a report for ACC claiming twice as many sessions as actually occurred - I have notified ACC of this blatant lie. There are a large number of errors in her report, the report is effectively gibberish. She makes judgements about an area of my expertise which she has zero knowledge about, claiming a crucial area is irrelevant (experts in the field would be gobsmacked at her interpretation and I have advised ACC of who the NZ experts are). She told me she would let me see the report before sending it, and then refused to give me a copy after sending. Avoid at all cost. She’s nice to your face, but turns out to be scum. The only good thing is that I wasn’t the one paying her."

"Avoid at all costs. An absolute quack of a psychologist. Had an assessment through Cherie and at the end she said told me she'd get back to me because she "didn't know". I never heard from her again apart from requests for payment. Cherie, you need to quit this career, you are clearly out of your depth."

"Got an assessment through Cherie. Very good communication, great service and great to talk to. Highly recommend."

"I find Cherie benns dishonest. We had an agreement for her to do a report. Which would take a few seasons. She sends me an invoice to pay. I advised I'd pay her account but wanted some assurance she would complete the job I asked her to do and provide a report at the end and I was told by friends not to pay her until she completes the job. I trusted her and paid her $185. She later advised me she's not going to do the report . I'm not sure why she pulled out. I feel completely let down by this woman and feel a complete lack of trust in professionals now and I also left feeling ripped off by this woman. Going to her was a complete waste of time and money and achieved nothing. Ive asked for a refund and she has completely ignored me. I am in the process of taking her to the disputes tribunal. I have learned a very valuable lesson not to pay until they complete the job and do not trust professional enough to pay before they complete the job you have asked them to do. I will never go to a shrink ever again they are the"