Home › Resources

Injury Psychology Resource Library

A growing library covering the questions injured workers and people recovering from motor vehicle accidents ask most: how treatment works, what to expect, your rights under the Workers Compensation and CTP schemes, and the psychological symptoms that often follow an injury. Written for people navigating injury and recovery in New South Wales. The information here is general and educational. It is not personal advice and does not replace speaking with your treating doctor or psychologist.

In-depth guides

Longer, clinically reviewed guides that bring the key evidence, practical recovery information and NSW scheme context together in one place.

Psychological Recovery After a Car Accident: A NSW Guide

Trauma symptoms, anxiety, sleep, pain, treatment, recovery and the NSW CTP context after a motor vehicle accident.

Driving Anxiety After a Car Accident: A Psychologist's Guide

Why driving and passenger fear can persist, how avoidance works, and a practical graded approach to rebuilding confidence.

Psychological Recovery After a Workplace Injury: A NSW Guide

Anxiety, trauma, pain, fear of reinjury, loss of routine, treatment and the current NSW Workers Compensation context.

The Stress of Dealing With a Workers Compensation Claim

Uncertainty, insurer communication, IMEs, perceived scrutiny, anger and practical ways to protect recovery from claim stress.

Your Injury Recovery Team

Recovery after injury can involve several people with different roles. This guide explains how medical care, physical rehabilitation, psychological treatment, pain care, workplace rehabilitation, insurer coordination and legal support may fit together under NSW Workers Compensation and CTP.

Understand your injury recovery team →
A practical, clinician-reviewed guide to who does what, when different services may be useful, and how a coordinated team can support recovery without unnecessary duplication.

Workers Compensation / WorkCover

For people injured at work and navigating a Workers Compensation (WorkCover) claim in NSW. For treatment information and referrals, see the Workers Compensation psychologist service.

Getting started and your rights

Can I choose my own psychologist under Workers Compensation in NSW?

Your right to choose your treating psychologist under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme, and how to do it.

How to get psychology approved under Workers Compensation in NSW

How pre-approval and AHTR requirements work, including when psychology can begin without insurer pre-approval.

What to expect in your first WorkCover psychology session

What happens, what you'll be asked, and how to prepare, so the first session feels less daunting.

What is a SIRA-approved psychologist?

What SIRA approval means for Workers Compensation, how it differs from CTP, and how to check a provider's status.

How to find a good WorkCover psychologist in NSW

What to look for when choosing a psychologist, including SIRA approval, scheme experience, access, and fit.

How many psychology sessions does WorkCover cover in NSW?

Why there is no fixed number, how sessions are approved, and what happens when more are needed.

Can I see a psychologist while my WorkCover claim is pending?

Whether you can start psychology before your claim is fully decided, and who to ask about your situation.

What happens if my WorkCover psychology treatment is not approved?

Why a treatment request might not be approved, and how a decision can be reviewed with clinical information.

Symptoms and recovery

Psychological recovery after a workplace injury

A detailed guide to psychological symptoms, maintaining factors, treatment, recovery and the current NSW Workers Compensation context.

Anxiety after being injured at work

Why anxiety is common after a workplace injury, what it can feel like, and how treatment helps.

Workplace trauma after an incident

Trauma after workplace violence, assault, serious accidents or witnessing traumatic incidents, including PTSD, treatment and recovery.

Vicarious trauma at work

How repeated exposure to other people's traumatic experiences can affect workers, how it differs from burnout, and what supports treatment and recovery.

The stress of dealing with a Workers Compensation claim

How claim uncertainty, assessments and repeated administration can interact with recovery, and practical ways to reduce the claim's psychological load.

Returning to work after a work injury in NSW

How a graded, clinically guided return supports recovery, paced to your readiness, and how psychology helps.

Workplace bullying and psychological injury claims in NSW

Updated 2026 guidance on bullying, relevant conduct, psychological injury and accessing support under the NSW Workers Compensation scheme.

Motor Vehicle Accident / CTP

For people recovering from a car accident or motor vehicle accident (sometimes searched as an MVA) under the NSW CTP scheme. For treatment information and referrals, see the CTP psychologist service.

Getting started and your rights

Can I see a psychologist after a car accident in NSW?

How psychological treatment works after a motor vehicle accident, and how it can be funded under CTP.

CTP psychology approval in NSW

How treatment is approved and funded under the CTP scheme after an accident, and who to contact.

How to find a good CTP psychologist in NSW

What to look for when choosing a psychologist after a car accident, including CTP experience, access, clinical fit and understanding of the scheme.

Symptoms and recovery

Psychological symptoms after a motor vehicle accident

The common psychological symptoms after an accident, when to seek support, and how treatment helps.

Driving anxiety after a car accident: a psychologist's guide

Why driving fear persists, how avoidance maintains it, and how a safe graded return to driving can be approached in treatment.

Passenger anxiety after a car accident

Anxiety as a passenger after an accident, even for confident drivers, and how treatment helps.

Panic attacks after a motor vehicle accident

Why panic attacks happen after an accident, what they feel like, and how treatment can help.

Sleep problems after a car accident

Why sleep is disrupted after an accident, how it affects recovery, and how treatment can help.

Low mood and depression after a motor vehicle accident

Why mood often drops after an accident, what to look for, and how treatment can help.

General

Questions that apply across both the Workers Compensation and CTP schemes.

Can I do my WorkCover or CTP psychology sessions by telehealth?

How telehealth works, whether it is covered under both schemes, and who it suits.

Can I change my psychologist under WorkCover or CTP in NSW?

When changing is worth considering, why not to rush it, and how to think it through with your psychologist and GP.

How long does psychology treatment take to work?

Why recovery varies from person to person, what influences it, and how progress is understood.

EMDR explained: how it helps after a workplace injury

What EMDR is, how it works, and when it may help after a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident.

The psychological impact of chronic pain after a workplace injury

How ongoing pain affects mood, function and recovery, and how psychological support can help.

Tinnitus and emotional distress after a workplace injury

How tinnitus can affect concentration, sleep and mood, and how psychological support helps.

What happens at an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?

What a psychological IME involves under WorkCover or CTP, and how your treating psychologist can help you prepare.

Psychological permanent impairment assessments in NSW

An overview of psychological permanent impairment assessment under NSW Workers Compensation, including the July 2026 reforms.

What happens to psychological support when a WorkCover claim closes?

What to consider about ongoing support once a Workers Compensation or CTP claim comes to an end.

Psychologist or psychiatrist? The difference explained

The difference between the two professions, and which one is usually involved in WorkCover or CTP treatment.

Have a question that isn't covered here?

To discuss a referral or whether this service is appropriate, call or email directly. All enquiries are handled personally.