Workplace Injuries

SIRA Workers Compensation/CTP

Supporting Recovery and Resilience After Trauma

Psychological injuries can occur after distressing events at work, such as bullying, harassment, accidents, or chronic stress. They can also arise following motor vehicle accidents or other incidents covered under CTP (Compulsory Third Party) insurance. These experiences can leave people feeling unsafe, anxious, or “stuck” in patterns of distress that don’t improve with time alone.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Flash Technique can be used to help clients process and recover from these experiences in a structured, evidence-based way. EMDR is recommended by international trauma guidelines (World Health Organization) and recognised by Medicare for treating posttraumatic stress and other conditions.  Other responses to injury may include, Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety and Panic Related to Workplace Triggers, Moral Injury and Betrayal Trauma, Vicarious or Secondary Trauma, Workplace Bullying and Harassment, Trauma-Related Chronic Pain and diminished self-worth.

Applications in Workplace and CTP Contexts

EMDR can be used to address:

 

  • Workplace bullying, harassment, or conflict
  • Occupational trauma (e.g., emergency services, healthcare, or first responders)
  • Motor vehicle or transport accidents
  • Witnessing or being involved in a workplace incident or injury
  • Chronic stress or burnout with trauma-related features

Clients often report improvements not only in symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts, but also in self-confidence, concentration, and overall wellbeing.

 

EMDR can be effectively delivered via secure telehealth sessions. This allows clients to access care from the comfort of their own home, while maintaining all the safety and structure of in-person therapy. The approach is gentle and paced to ensure clients remain grounded and supported throughout the process.

Understanding the different types of psychological work injuries

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Think of PTSD as a Fear-Based Injury. It’s an alarm system that gets stuck in the “ON” position after a severe threat.

The Event: Usually results from one or a few terrifying, life-threatening events, where you or someone else faced actual or threatened death, or serious injury

Examples: Car accident, natural disaster, an assault, or a violent event.

  • The Core Response (The Symptoms): Your brain focuses on Safety and Threat.
  • Re-experiencing: You have flashbacks or nightmares where you feel like the danger is happening right now.
  • Hyperarousal: You’re constantly on edge, easily startled (jumpy), and always watching for danger (hypervigilance).
  • Avoidance: You try to avoid places, people, or thoughts that remind you of the trauma.
  • The Core Belief: “The world is unsafe,” or “I am in danger.”

 

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)

Think of CPTSD as an Injury to the Self, caused by prolonged harm. It’s not just an alarm stuck on; it’s a personality and identity shaped by constant danger.

The Event: Results from long-term, repeated, and inescapable trauma— directly or involving betrayal by someone who should have protected you.

Examples: Chronic child abuse or neglect, long-term domestic violence, human trafficking, or living in a war zone for years.

  • The Core Response (The Symptoms): You have the core PTSD symptoms (flashbacks, avoidance, hyperarousal) PLUS three additional, deep-seated issues:
  • Emotion Regulation: You struggle to control intense emotions (like sudden, intense anger or sadness).
  • Negative Self-Concept: You have deep feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness (“I am bad,” “I am broken”).
  • Relationship Problems: You have severe difficulty trusting people or maintaining stable, meaningful relationships.
  • The Core Belief: “I am permanently damaged,” or “No one can be trusted.”

 

Moral Injury

Think of Moral Injury as a Conscience Injury. It’s not a formal mental health diagnosis like PTSD or CPTSD, but a profound spiritual and psychological distress.

The Event: Results from a “Potentially Morally Injurious Event” (PMIE) that violates your deepest beliefs about right and wrong. It may or may not be physically life-threatening. The injury is to your moral code.

Examples:

  • Act of Commission: Doing something you believe is wrong (e.g., perpetrating an act of violence).
  • Act of Omission: Failing to do something you should have done (e.g., freezing or failing to intervene to help a victim).
  • Betrayal: Being betrayed by a leader or institution you trusted (e.g., a manager covering up abuse).
  • The Core Response (The Emotions): The key feelings are centered on morality and justice.
  • Guilt: I did something bad.
  • Shame: I am a bad person.
  • Anger and Betrayal: Losing faith in others, leaders, or even a higher power.
  • Isolation: Feeling unworthy of love or healing, leading to withdrawal.
  • The Core Belief: “I am unforgivable,” or “The world is not just.”

 

 

 

You may experience one or a combination of these injuries and all can present with symptoms consistent with PTSD.  All of these injuries feel traumatic.

It may be useful to be aware that the diagnosis on your claim may be listed as
Adjustment Disorder, if there was no identified life-threatening event.  Where this continues once the stressor or its consequences have terminated, the diagnosis may evolve to Mixed anxiety and depression.

Accessing psychology services for injured workers (SIRA/WorkCover NSW)

If you’ve experienced a workplace injury — whether physical or psychological — you may be eligible for funded psychological treatment under the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). This includes injuries covered by WorkCover NSW or a Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claim.

 

Applying for Psychology Sessions

When a worker is injured, their GP, insurer, or treating specialist can refer them to a SIRA approved psychologist for assessment and treatment.

To begin, your psychologist completes an “Allied Health Recovery Request” (AHRR) form — this is the formal application sent to the insurer to request funding for psychological sessions.

 

The process usually involves:

  1. Referral or request for treatment: Your GP, psychiatrist, or case manager recommends psychological support.
  2. Initial approval for assessment or preapproval for sessions: The insurer typically approves an initial assessment session (sometimes called “session 1”) so the psychologist can assess your needs and make treatment recommendations. Or they may provide initial approval of 1-8 sessions.
  3. Treatment plan submission: After this first session (or at completion of the preapproved sessions), your psychologist submits an AHTR form to the insurer outlining:
  • The nature of your injury and presenting symptoms
  • The goals of treatment
  • The number of sessions recommended (often 6 to begin with)
  • Any relevant factors affecting recovery (e.g., workplace stressors, trauma, or adjustment issues)

4. Approval for ongoing sessions: The insurer then reviews and approves the recommended sessions. These are generally funded in blocks (e.g., 6–8 sessions at a time).

 

Your psychologist will request further funding when progress is reviewed or when more sessions are clinically justified.

 

Before Your First Session

Before your first session, please have the following details ready:

  • Your claim number
  • The insurer’s name and contact details
  • The case manager’s name, phone, and email
  • The letter of approval for assessment or treatment