WORKERS' COMPENSATION PSYCHOLOGY & counselling adelaide

If you are displaying mental health symptoms, your treating doctors, claims managers, or treating practitioners can recommend that psychological services be provided.

It is possible for someone to develop secondary or consequential conditions that arise as a result of the circumstances of the injury. Even if your injury is physical, your GP and insurer commonly will be able to provide mental health support to you for a short period of time to assist with adjusting to your injury , managing pain and providing general coping skills including creating positive health, wellness and recovery routines. Common factors affecting your mental health following a physical injury:

• Chronic pain

• Disconnection from the workplace

• Conflict during the claims management process

• Loss of function, routine,. Identity, motivation and purpose

• Impact on family and relationships.

When it becomes apparent that a secondary condition might have occurred, your case manager will investigate further and make a decision whether or not psychology services can be provided.

Workers' compensation psychology can help you cope with pain-related psychological difficults, work-related concerns, and other mental health challenges that occur as the result of a work-related injury or illness.

Psychology involves techniques that can help you become more aware of - and change - unhelpful thoughts and behaviour patterns, while also offering techniques to help manage symptoms.

As soon as it becomes apparent to the stakeholders on the claim that a return to work with the same employer is unlikely. These decisions are usually made in consultation with the worker, employer, and the worker-treating team. If the parties agree that a change in return to work goal is appropriate, then the case manager can then focus on the steps necessary to move down this path.

There is no specific point in the claim where this decision needs to be made, rather it is sometimes that the parties need to recognise and agree with the change of RTW goal.

The claims service provider can take over wage payments to the worker when the RTW goal has been confirmed as a new employer.

A low intensity mental health support service is available to injured workers, regardless of claim type. The service provides coaching and support to assist you to respond as best as possible to the circumstances and impacts of your injury claim . This service is voluntary, with no obligation to participate. The service is also available for both undetermined and accepted claims. Your claims manager will discuss this service with you and coordinate the referral. Activ8 Mind’s Mental Health Support Service is available to people who are:

• presenting with mild or moderate anxiety, depression or stress symptoms, and

• not actively engaged with a psychologist or psychiatrist on a regular basis.

Injured workers have the right to select their own healthcare team and treatment providers, this includes psychologists. Often your doctor or claims manager may suggest this service, but it is entirely up to you. A referral is then issued by your treating doctor or claims manager.

Services are provided and funded in accordance with the approved workers compensation fee schedule. Unless a claim is rejected, the services are invoiced and paid for by the relevant insurer so no payment is required by you.

Yes, reasonable travel expenses to and from health appointments are covered. Ask your claims manager for their travel reimbursement form and ensure that you complete this and/ or keep your own written record noting the date, purpose of travel, and distance. Travel to appointments will need to be co-signed by your psychologist or our administration team.

A case conference is a group meeting designed to achieve collaboration and communication between yourself, your employer (where relevant), your insurer and key treating practitioners. A case conference is a beneficial way in to support the establishment of suitable health/wellness goals, create an appropriate schedule of activities and better design your return to work.

This document is used by claims managers to determine return to work activities and manage your claim. It can be used to:

• Reinforce realistic perceptions of injury severity and set expectations about recovery timeframes

• Describe your functional abilities – what you can do, what you can not do , what you can do with limitations or care.

• Certify work capacity to enable your employer and claims manager to look for and offer you work duties that fit your functional abilities

• Share information with other external treatment providers, to encourage shared goals that will provide clarity for you.

Your psychologist is responsible for maintaining confidentiality. Within the claims process your claims manager will receive information regarding your progress, recommendations and supports required for a planned return to process. These details will be discussed with you and will not be a surprise. With your approval your psychologist may be included in the case conference process and will have an opportunity to converse with the wider treating professionals which is a highly valuable activity.