WORKERS COMPENSATION PSYCHOLOGyWhen Work Has Affected Your Mental Health
Compassionate psychological support for people experiencing workplace stress, anxiety, bullying, chronic pain or difficulty adjusting to injury.
NSW SIRA Workers Compensation Claims | Adults 18+ | Telehealth Australia-wide
You are welcome to enquire while your claim is still being considered.
Insurer approval will be required before treatment commences.
WHEN WORK FOLLOWS YOU HOMEWhat Happened at Work Can Affect Every Part of Your Life
A workplace injury does not always end when you leave the workplace.
You may find yourself replaying what happened, dreading phone calls, struggling to sleep or feeling anxious whenever work is mentioned. Your confidence may have changed, and everyday activities may now take more energy than they did before.
If you are living with pain, you may also be adjusting to changes in your independence, routine, identity and ability to participate in the things that matter to you.
The Workers Compensation process itself can sometimes add another layer of stress. There may be appointments, forms, unfamiliar terminology and repeated requests to explain what happened and how you are functioning.
You do not need to have the right words or understand the whole system before asking for support.
Psychological support may be helpful if you are experiencing:
Anxiety when thinking or talking about work
Low mood, exhaustion or reduced motivation
Difficulty sleeping or switching off
Replaying workplace conversations or incidents
Fear about encountering particular colleagues or managers
Loss of confidence in yourself or your professional abilities
Feeling unsafe, watchful or constantly on edge
Avoiding emails, calls or conversations about work
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Distress following workplace bullying, conflict or an incident
Persistent pain that affects your mood, sleep and daily functioning
Grief or frustration about changes caused by an injury
Worry about returning to work
Feeling pressured to progress more quickly than you can currently manage
YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCINGMore Than “Just a Difficult Time at Work”
HOW THERAPY MAY HELPSupport That Responds to Your Individual Experience
Workplace bullying and conflict
A confidential space to process your experiences, understand their psychological impact and begin rebuilding your sense of safety and confidence.
Work-related anxiety and stress
Strategies to understand anxiety responses, manage distress and reduce the extent to which work-related thoughts intrude into the rest of your life.
Chronic pain and reduced functioning
Support to understand the relationship between pain, mood, sleep, activity and stress while adjusting to changes in your functioning.
Psychological adjustment to injury
Space to process grief, frustration, uncertainty and changes to your routine, relationships, independence or professional identity.
Confidence and preparation for returning to work
Support to identify concerns, recognise early warning signs, consider helpful boundaries and prepare for a return to work when clinically appropriate.
THERAPY THAT SEES THE WHOLE PERSONYou Are More Than a Claim Number
Workers Compensation treatment involves goals, reports and communication with other members of your treatment team. Your treatment will be collaborative, neuro-affirming, and adapted to your presentation, needs and capacity. Depending on your needs, this may include:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Solutions Focused Brief Therapy
Psychoeducation about anxiety, stress, pain and trauma responses
Behavioural activation
Pacing and activity planning
Grounding and mindfulness based strategies
Sleep and routine support
Self-compassion
Preparation for a safe and sustainable return to work if appropriate
Treatment is evidence-informed and tailored to your individual circumstances. No particular outcome or timeframe can be guaranteed.
RECOVERY AND RETURN TO WORKReturning to Work Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Work can provide purpose, connection, routine and a sense of identity. However, returning before you are ready or returning without appropriate support may increase distress for some people.
Your readiness for work is considered in the context of your symptoms, functioning, treatment progress, workplace circumstances and available duties.
When return to work becomes appropriate, therapy may support you to:
Identify suitable goals and manageable steps
Recognise situations that increase distress
Develop strategies for managing anxiety at work
Rebuild confidence in your abilities
Establish appropriate boundaries
Monitor early signs of increased symptoms
Prepare for changes in hours or duties
Communicate relevant treatment needs to your support team
Recommendations are made according to your individual clinical presentation. They are not based on a predetermined expectation that everyone should return to work within the same timeframe.
Therapy cannot determine the outcome of your claim or guarantee that particular duties, restrictions or workplace arrangements will be approved.
1. Email the clinic
Let us know that you are seeking psychology through a NSW Workers Compensation claim. You do not need to send detailed clinical information in your first email.
2. We check suitability and availability
The clinic will ask for some information about your injury, current circumstances and claim to determine whether the service is likely to be a suitable fit.
3. Provide your referral and claim details
Before treatment begins, the clinic will generally require:
A referral from your nominated treating doctor/Certificate of Capacity
Your claim number
The name and contact details of your insurer
Insurer approval for funded treatment
4. Attend your initial consultation
Your first appointment focuses on understanding what has happened, how you are currently functioning and what you would like support with.
You will not be expected to tell your entire story perfectly in one appointment.
THE TREATMENT PROCESSWhat Happens After You Enquire?
YOUR TREATMENT TEAMClear Communication While Respecting Your Privacy
Workers Compensation psychology involves communication with your nominated treating doctor, insurer, rehabilitation provider or other approved members of your treatment team.
This can include treatment requests, updates about treatment goals, progress, current barriers and information relevant to recovery or return to work.
The type of information that may need to be shared will be discussed with you.
REGISTRATION
Registered Psychologist (AHPRA)
EXPERIENCE
15 years clinical practice
TELEHEALTH
Australia-wide
CLIENTELE
Adults 18+ only
EXPERIENCED WORKERS COMPENSATION SUPPORTExtensive Experience in Workplace Recovery
Kerry is a SIRA-approved Registered Psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience across psychological treatment, assessment, workplace rehabilitation, early intervention and return-to-work support.
She has a longstanding interest in workplace mental health and is passionate about helping people understand how their work environment, psychological wellbeing and individual way of functioning can affect one another.
Over the past 10 years, Kerry has worked extensively with veterans, including those adjusting to the transition from military service into civilian life. She has also supported professionals, first responders, employees in the mining industry and people in other high-pressure and safety-critical roles. This experience has given Kerry an understanding of the responsibility, workplace cultures and complex demands that can accompany these roles, as well as the difficulty many capable people experience when asking for help.
Kerry’s previous roles have included conducting psychological functional capacity assessments to evaluate how an employee’s symptoms and day-to-day functioning may affect their capacity for work. These assessments helped inform return-to-work planning, including consideration of barriers, support needs, suitable duties, hours, restrictions and graded return-to-work arrangements.
Her professional experience also includes Employee Assistance Programs and workplace early-intervention programs. These programs were designed to support employees when difficulties first emerged, strengthen coping and functioning, and reduce the risk of concerns progressing into longer-term absence or a Workers Compensation claim.
Alongside her workplace experience, Kerry has a particular interest in adult ADHD and autism and conducts formal ADHD and Autism assessments and post-diagnostic support. She is especially passionate about the intersection between neurodivergence and the workplace.
Kerry supports ADHD and autistic adults experiencing burnout, sensory overwhelm, communication differences and difficulties managing workplace expectations. She can also help clients better understand their workplace needs and consider accommodations, boundaries and strategies that may support more sustainable participation at work.
Her experience in both workplace rehabilitation and adult neurodivergent assessment allows her to consider factors that can sometimes be overlooked in conventional return-to-work planning. This may include the impact of masking, executive functioning demands, sensory environments, communication preferences, changing routines and the cumulative effort involved in appearing to cope.
Kerry’s approach is warm, practical, trauma-informed and collaborative. She understands that recovery is rarely a straight line and that managing a Workers Compensation claim can sometimes feel like another demand when a person’s energy and capacity are already reduced.
Therapy provides a supportive space to better understand your experiences, develop coping strategies and work towards improved emotional wellbeing, recovery and day-to-day functioning.
NSW WORKERS COMPENSATION CLAIMSPsychology Appointments Available Wherever You Are in Australia
Workers Compensation psychology appointments are available by Telehealth to adults throughout Australia who have a claim under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme.
Appointment details:
Adults aged 18 years and over
NSW SIRA Workers Compensation claims only
Psychological injury claims
Physical injury and chronic pain claims
Enquiries from people awaiting a claim or treatment decision
Telehealth appointments Australia-wide
Treatment provided by a Registered Psychologist and SIRA-approved provider
You can enquire before insurer approval has been received. Treatment can only commence once the necessary referral and funding eligibility requirements have been confirmed.
FAQ’s
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Yes. Referrals are accepted for approved workers compensation claims relating to both physical and psychological injuries.
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If you’ve experienced a workplace injury or psychological injury such as bullying or trauma, you may be eligible to access psychological support through the workers compensation system.
To get started, speak with your GP about your symptoms and request a referral to a SIRA approved Psychologist.
Your case manager will also need to approve the request as part of your treatment plan.
Once approved, psychological sessions are funded under Workers Compensation, and there is no cost to you.
Kerry is SIRA-approved and experienced in supporting injured workers throughout this process, including communicating with your GP, case manager, and treatment team to ensure coordinated care.
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A SIRA Accredited Psychologist undergoes training by SIRA to be able to provide treatment within the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme.
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Starting therapy for your workers compensation claim can feel like a big step, but we are here to support you throughout the process. Here’s what you can expect when you begin therapy with Elara Psychology Clinic:
A Safe and Compassionate Space
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed into a comfortable, non-judgmental environment. Our goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and understood. We’ll work together to build trust and a strong therapeutic relationship, allowing you to open up about your experiences and challenges.A Holistic Approach
We take a holistic approach to therapy, which means we look at you as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This approach ensures that we consider all aspects of your recovery, including emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. We will work with you to address the emotional and psychological impacts of your injury, helping you to manage stress, anxiety, and any other challenges that may arise.Personalised Treatment Plan
Each person’s journey is unique, and your therapy will be tailored to your specific needs and goals. In the beginning, we’ll take time to understand your personal experience, the nature of your injury, and how it’s affecting your mental health. Together, we will create a treatment plan that aligns with your recovery goals, whether that involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, mindfulness techniques, or other approaches.Ongoing Support and Adjustments
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and as your recovery progresses, your therapy plan will evolve to meet your changing needs. While some may find relief after just a few sessions, others may benefit from ongoing support. We will work together to adjust the frequency and focus of your sessions based on your progress and your personal goals.Practical Strategies for Healing
In therapy, we’ll help you develop practical coping strategies that you can apply in your daily life. Whether it’s managing pain, improving sleep, building resilience, or working through feelings of frustration or sadness, we’ll provide you with tools to help you regain control over your emotional and mental well-being.Regular Check-ins and Feedback
Your feedback is an essential part of the therapy process. We will check in regularly to ensure that the therapy is meeting your needs and helping you move toward recovery. Your input will help guide our approach and ensure we are on the right track for your healing journey.Empowerment and Progress
The goal of therapy is to empower you to regain control over your life, rebuild your self-esteem, and feel confident as you move forward in your recovery. We’ll work together to set achievable goals and celebrate your progress, no matter how big or small. You are not alone in this process. -
We invoice your insurer for your appointments
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Booking an appointment with me is easy and straightforward.
Simply click the ‘Book Now’ button on the website, or reach out directly via phone or email to schedule a time that works best for you.
If you're eligible for workers compensation/CTP, please have your GP referral and insurer’s approval ready, and I will guide you through the process.
I’m here to help answer any questions you may have, so if you don’t yet have a referral, or have other questions, please email us at info@elarapsychologyclinic.com.au or click on the ‘book free 15-minute consultation’ button below.
Let's take the first step towards your recovery together.
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The frequency of sessions depends on your unique needs and the nature of your recovery and this will be discussed during your first session.
Typically, regular sessions are scheduled initially, and as you progress, they may become less frequent.
We work with you to create a treatment plan that aligns with your recovery goals and lifestyle.
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The time it takes to see results varies based on your individual circumstances. Some people feel relief after just a few sessions, while others may require longer-term support. We focus on building a trusting relationship and making sure you feel supported throughout your recovery.
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Yes. Therapy may assist with return-to-work anxiety, communication strategies, confidence building, emotional adjustment, and navigating workplace stressors more sustainably.
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Communication with your treating team can occur where appropriate to support collaborative care and return-to-work planning.
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Yes. Telehealth appointments are available Australia-wide if your treatment relates to a claim under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme and the required funding arrangements are confirmed.
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Psychology may be offered for accepted or claimed psychological injuries and for the psychological effects of physical injury or chronic pain, subject to clinical suitability and insurer requirements.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO NAVIGATE THIS ALONEA Supportive Place to Begin Making Sense of What Happened
Workplace stress, bullying, injury and chronic pain can affect your confidence, relationships, routines and sense of who you are.
You do not need to explain everything perfectly in your first email. Let us know that you have a NSW Workers Compensation claim or that you are waiting for a decision and the clinic can guide you through the information needed to consider your enquiry.
Adults 18+ · NSW SIRA claims · Telehealth Australia-wide
-An injury can affect more than your ability to work, it can affect your confidence, identity, and sense of safety -
Questions about fees
or how to get started?
Contact the clinic directly and Kerry will respond personally to discuss your situation and answer any questions about fees, funding, or which service may be appropriate for you.
