Workcover NSW – Workers Compensation Insurance

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What is Workcover and workers compensation?

Workcover in NSW

Workcover is the term given to the protection and compensation authorities in NSW. It is made up of three independent bodies:

SafeWork NSW – The work health and safety regulation authority
SIRA – The State Insurance Regulation Authority
icare – Insurance and Care NSW

The regulation authorities help create imrpovements in workplace standards. icare facilitates the provision of care for you, they work directly with rehab companies and counselling services to ensure your needs can be met. This includes approving you for counselling when this is needed.

Booking form

(02) 9683 1444

Workplace accidents and trauma

Workplace accidents and trauma can come in many different forms:

accidents and traumatic injuries
reduced physical function or capacity
emotional trauma
near misses
witnessing a workplace accident
interpersonal trauma and conflict
emotional abuse, harassment or threats
workplace bullying

Counselling and rehabilitation

What is the aim of counselling?

In a workcover case, the aim is for recovery. This may be physical recovery. But also, it could be emotional recovery. You may need trauma focused therapy to help with overcoming your experiences. You may need grief therapy to work through the grief you feel after your accident.

Grief is a real part of the recovery process. You may have experienced physical loss of function. You might not be able to return to the same role you had before the incident. The aim is also to support your back to work plan. Working is great contributor to quality of life indicators such as:

vocational enjoyment
financial flexibility
self-esteem
physical and mental health
social connections
contribution to society

What can I expect to happen when I see a psychologist?

Psychologists on our team have training to work with workers’ compensation cases. You are in good hands. Your psychologist, or social worker will take a comprehensive review of your case. They will do this by talking with you. They will also communicate with other people involved in your case. Other people who may work collaboratively in your case include:

rehab providers
GP’s
Physio’s
OT’s
compensation lawyers
work cover representatives
your employer, HR or manager
case managers
your insurance company

Why is counselling important?

You may be referred to Bridges Counselling for assessment, or for therapy. This will depend on how far along you are in your journey with Workcover. Whether the incident occurred to you, or whether you were a witness to the event, the symptoms can be equally impacting. It’s important to acknowledge the symptoms you are experiencing so that you can get the help you need.

Counselling helps to:

come to terms with your experiences
set goals around recovery
cope with ongoing physical and psychological symptoms
overcome negative thoughts and memories
plan future workplace and vocational goals

Where to next?

People start counselling at varying stages of their healing journey. You may:

have not informed your workplace yet
be currently off work
not be sure what your next move is
have been given information about how to claim for compensation
be requiring assessment to formalise your claim
have been advised to access counselling to help with your back to work goals
have an approved “Back to Work” claim in place

Most of the time, your insurer or case worker will arrange your first counselling session for you. At other times they may advise you to call and book yourself. An approved claim with a claim number must be in place before Workcover will be able to cover your counselling fees.

Check out our Workcover services

Ring us for a free 15 minute phone consultation with our Intake Counsellor

Booking form

(02) 9683 1444

Psychological symptoms of workplace trauma

depression
anxiety
grief at the loss of function
uneasiness
overwhelm
work avoidance
hopelessness
fear about what the future holds

Physical symptoms of workplace trauma

accidents
difficulty concentrating
reduced productivity
injuries
sickness
physical burnout
shakiness
muscle pain
fatigue
sleeplessness or oversleeping

Recovery is possible

It takes time, but recovery is possible. Workcover goals include a concept called “Recovery at Work”, which acknowldges that recovery takes time and you’re not going to automatically regain your ability to jump straight back into your role.

Slow return to work goals are made when you’re ready. And your workplace will be coached and guided to the needs you have to be effectively supported back to work.

Turning feelings into words can help us process and overcome adversity. – Sheryl Sandberg

People who can get back into work have better outcomes

There may be some changes to navigate in this time. We can help work with your workplace to ensure that they can accommodate to your needs. You may need to have altered hours or altered job functions. You may need to change roles altogether, or even change jobs altogether.

This can be a stressful time, and you may even experience anxiety around not feeling ready to go back to work. This is a normal part of the healing process, and it is important for you to feel supported enough to say what’s going on. This ensures your back to work plan is tailored to your unique and individual needs. Your counsellor will be an advocate in explaining your needs.

For third party stakeholders

Bridges Counselling prides itself in offering quality services.

We are confident that we can tailor our program to suit your clients or employee’s needs. We value collaborative networking. This has been found to be best practice when it comes to return to work plans. Our psychologists are approachable and flexible to your client’s needs.

If you need any further information, please feel free to phone our intake team. We will be able to address your questions further.

Cross to a better life

Ring us for a free phone consultation.

Booking form

(02) 9683 1444

What is Workcover and workers compensation?

Workcover in NSW

Workplace accidents and trauma

Counselling and rehabilitation

What is the aim of counselling?

What can I expect to happen when I see a psychologist?

Why is counselling important?

Where to next?

Check out our Workcover services

Psychological symptoms of workplace trauma

Physical symptoms of workplace trauma

Recovery is possible

People who can get back into work have better outcomes

For third party stakeholders

Cross to a better life

Ring us for a free phone consultation.

(02) 9683 1444

enquiries@bridgescounselling.com.au

Bridges Counselling Parramatta

Bridges Counselling Hills District

Monday – Friday 10 AM – 5 PM