WorkCover Psychologist
Trauma-Informed and Neuro-Affirming Psychological Support for Work-Related Injury or Illness
Blossom Psychology Clinic provides psychological support for people accessing Victorian WorkCover following a work-related injury or illness. We recognise that workplace injury, mental injury, pain, changes in capacity and the claims or return-to-work process can affect people in different ways.
Our psychologists may support concerns such as workplace trauma and PTSD symptoms, anxiety or panic, low mood, emotional overwhelm, sleep or concentration difficulties, adjustment to physical injury or pain, and concerns affecting everyday functioning or return to work.
Our approach is trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and evidence-informed. Therapy is tailored to the individual, with attention to emotional safety, autonomy, communication preferences, sensory needs, current functioning, strengths and treatment goals.
Discuss a WorkCover Psychology Appointment
If you have a WorkCover claim or a mental injury claim that is still being assessed, our team can help you understand the information needed to arrange an appointment and discuss current psychologist availability.
Call 1300 256 766 and let our reception team know that your enquiry relates to WorkCover.
Can I See a Psychologist Through WorkCover?
WorkSafe Victoria may fund the reasonable costs of psychology services required because of a work-related injury or illness when the service meets applicable funding requirements. WorkSafe requires psychology treatment to be referred by a medical practitioner before funded services commence.
When contacting Blossom Psychology Clinic, you may be asked to provide:
Funding and approval depend on the circumstances of the individual claim. Our administration team can explain Blossom’s booking and billing process, while decisions about entitlement and funding remain with WorkSafe and the relevant Agent or self-insurer.
What Can a WorkCover Psychologist Support?
Psychological treatment may support concerns related to a work-related injury or illness, including:
Workplace Trauma, PTSD and Anxiety
Work-related experiences can sometimes be associated with trauma-related distress, PTSD symptoms, anxiety or other changes in emotional wellbeing. Some people may notice intrusive memories, nightmares, heightened alertness, avoidance, panic, disrupted sleep, difficulty concentrating or feeling unsafe in situations connected with work.
These responses are not treated as personal failings. A trauma-informed approach considers the context in which responses developed while recognising that symptoms can have more than one contributing factor.
Therapy may focus on understanding current responses, strengthening regulation and coping strategies, supporting everyday functioning and, where clinically appropriate, gradual re-engagement with activities connected with recovery or return to work.
You do not need to provide a detailed account of distressing experiences before you feel ready. Therapy can proceed collaboratively, with attention to consent, pacing and emotional safety.
Neuro-Affirming WorkCover Psychology
Autistic individuals, individuals with ADHD and other neurodivergent workers may experience workplace demands, injury, trauma, sensory environments, communication expectations and return-to-work processes in ways that interact with their neurodevelopmental profile.
A neuro-affirming approach does not assume that neurodivergent traits are symptoms of trauma or that a person needs to communicate, regulate or work in a neurotypical way. Where relevant, therapy may consider sensory needs, executive functioning demands, communication preferences, masking, processing pace, environmental fit and reasonable supports alongside the effects of the work-related injury or illness.
Can EMDR Be Used for Work-Related Trauma?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a structured psychological therapy that may be considered for some people experiencing PTSD or trauma-related distress associated with a work-related injury or experience.
EMDR is not automatically suitable for every person or every stage of treatment. Your psychologist will consider your current presentation, history, readiness, goals and clinical circumstances before discussing whether EMDR or another evidence-informed therapeutic approach may be appropriate.
Where EMDR is used, preparation, collaborative pacing, consent, grounding and emotional safety are considered throughout the process.
What If My Mental Injury Claim Is Still Being Assessed?
Eligible Victorian workers with a mental injury claim may be able to access provisional payments for reasonable treatment and services while their claim is being assessed. WorkSafe states that provisional payments may be available for up to 13 weeks, subject to eligibility requirements, and may continue for the applicable period even if the underlying claim is not accepted.
If you have been advised that you are entitled to provisional payments, please let our reception team know when arranging your appointment. Eligibility and payment decisions are made through the WorkCover claims process.
What Happens at the First WorkCover Psychology Appointment?
The first appointment provides an opportunity to understand what you are currently experiencing, how the work-related injury or illness is affecting your life and functioning, and what you would like support with.
Your psychologist may explore:
WorkSafe-funded psychology places emphasis on clinically justified treatment, measurable functional improvement, participation, independence and self-management. Treatment planning and review documentation may therefore form part of ongoing WorkCover-funded care.
Your psychologist can explain how this applies to your treatment and involve you collaboratively in treatment goals and planning.
Is WorkCover Psychology Confidential?
Psychology appointments are confidential clinical services; however, WorkCover-funded treatment can involve the collection, use and sharing of relevant information in accordance with privacy, professional and legal obligations, and the requirements of the workers compensation scheme.
With WorkCover-funded care, your psychologist may need to communicate relevant treatment, functional, recovery or return-to-work information with your medical practitioner, WorkSafe Agent or self-insurer, and other authorised members of your treating or rehabilitation team where required or appropriately consented.
Your psychologist can discuss confidentiality, its limits, consent and any WorkCover-related reporting or communication requirements with you. Information sharing should be relevant to the purpose for which it is required and managed in accordance with applicable professional and privacy obligations.
Our Approach to WorkCover Psychology
At Blossom Psychology Clinic, WorkCover psychology is provided within a collaborative, trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and evidence-informed framework.
Treatment is individualised and may include attention to emotional safety, regulation, coping, trauma-related responses, pain adjustment, daily functioning, participation, confidence and concerns associated with work or returning to work.
Depending on individual formulation, goals, clinical suitability and the treating psychologist’s training, therapy may draw on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, trauma-focused approaches, EMDR, mindfulness-based strategies and other evidence-informed psychological interventions.
No particular therapy or outcome can be guaranteed. Treatment planning is based on individual assessment, clinical suitability, informed consent and ongoing review.
Who Can Provide WorkSafe-Funded Psychology?
WorkSafe-funded psychology services must be provided by an approved WorkSafe psychology provider who holds general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA and meets WorkSafe provider requirements. WorkSafe does not fund psychology services delivered by provisional psychologists.
Our reception team can let you know which Blossom psychologists currently accept WorkCover referrals and discuss their location and telehealth availability.
WorkCover Psychology Fees and Billing
WorkSafe pays psychology services up to the maximum amounts set out in its applicable fee schedule. WorkSafe notes that the reasonable cost it pays may not always equal a provider’s full fee, and a fee difference can apply where a provider charges above the WorkSafe maximum.
Before commencing treatment, our administration team can explain Blossom Psychology Clinic’s current WorkCover billing arrangements, including whether invoices will be submitted to the relevant Agent or self-insurer and whether any fee difference applies to your appointments. Please confirm these arrangements with reception for your individual claim and treating psychologist.
Funding and approval decisions remain with WorkSafe, the relevant Agent or self-insurer, and requirements may change over time.
WorkCover Psychology in Murrumbeena, Boronia and via Telehealth
Blossom Psychology Clinic provides WorkCover psychology appointments from our Murrumbeena and Boronia clinics. Telehealth may also be available where clinically appropriate and where WorkSafe telehealth requirements are met.
Our reception team can discuss current psychologist availability, your preferred location, accessibility needs and the information required before booking.
Visit Blossom Psychology Clinic
Blossom Psychology Clinic has locations in Murrumbeena and Boronia. Select a clinic below to view location information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WorkCover Pay for Psychology?
WorkSafe may pay the reasonable costs of psychology services required because of a work-related injury or illness when applicable requirements are met. Funding depends on the circumstances of the claim and whether the service is payable under the Victorian workers compensation scheme.
Can I See a Psychologist While My Mental Injury Claim Is Being Assessed?
Some eligible workers may access provisional payments for reasonable treatment and services for up to 13 weeks while a mental injury claim is being assessed. Eligibility is determined through the WorkCover claims process.
Can WorkCover Psychology Support Workplace Trauma or PTSD?
Psychological treatment may support people experiencing workplace trauma, PTSD symptoms or other psychological responses associated with a work-related injury or illness. Treatment is individualised and subject to clinical suitability and WorkCover funding arrangements.
Can EMDR Be Used Under WorkCover?
EMDR may form part of psychological treatment where the treating psychologist considers it clinically appropriate. Suitability depends on the individual’s presentation, history, readiness, goals and broader treatment plan.
Can WorkCover Psychology Help With Returning to Work?
Where relevant, psychological treatment may address concerns affecting functioning, confidence, participation and return to work. Return-to-work goals are considered collaboratively and in the context of the individual’s clinical needs and circumstances.
Are WorkCover Psychology Appointments Available by Telehealth?
Telehealth psychology may be available where clinically appropriate and where WorkSafe telehealth requirements are met. Our team can discuss current options and whether telehealth is suitable for your circumstances.
Discuss a WorkCover Psychology Appointment with a team member at BPC
If you have a WorkCover claim and are seeking psychological support for a work-related injury or mental health concern, our team can help you understand the next steps for arranging an appointment with Blossom Psychology Clinic.
When contacting us, let reception know that your enquiry relates to WorkCover and have your claim, referral and Agent information available where possible.
Call 1300 256 766. Appointments are available in Murrumbeena, Boronia and via telehealth where clinically appropriate.