Home › Resources › Changing your psychologist
Can I change my psychologist under WorkCover or CTP in NSW?
Quick answer: Yes. You have the right to choose your treatment provider under both the WorkCover and CTP schemes in NSW, and that includes changing to a different psychologist. It is a reasonable and accepted thing to do, particularly if you do not feel a productive connection with the psychologist you are seeing, or you feel your progress has stalled. It is usually worth discussing with your psychologist or GP first, though the decision remains yours.
People sometimes assume they must remain with the first psychologist they were referred to, and continue on even when the treatment is not working well for them. That is not the case. If the support you are receiving does not feel right, you are entitled to address it, and considering a change does not mean you have done anything wrong.
When a change is worth considering
Two reasons come up frequently, and both are entirely valid. The first is the working relationship itself. Psychological treatment depends a great deal on feeling comfortable, understood, and able to speak openly. If that connection has not developed after attending several sessions, treatment can be difficult to progress, and this does not reflect a failing on anyone's part. People respond differently to different practitioners.
The second is a sense that progress has stalled. It is normal for therapy to move more slowly at times, but if you feel your progress has plateaued over a longer period and is no longer advancing, that is worth attention. In some cases, a different approach or therapeutic style is what allows progress to resume.
Worth thinking through, not rushing
While you are entitled to change provider, it is usually worth pausing before doing so. Continuity has real value in psychological treatment, and a new psychologist will require time to become familiar with your history and to establish a working relationship with you. A difficult period in therapy is not always an indication that the relationship is wrong, and some of the most valuable work can occur during exactly those periods. For this reason, a considered decision tends to serve your recovery better than a hasty one.
Talk it through first
A constructive next step is an honest conversation with your current psychologist or your GP. Raising that the treatment does not feel right, or that you feel your progress has stalled, gives you the opportunity to explore the reasons, and in some cases that conversation alone can help treatment progress again. A professional psychologist will not take this personally; understanding what is and is not working is a normal and healthy part of treatment. If, after that conversation, a change still appears to be the right step, having discussed it also helps the transition proceed more smoothly.
How changing tends to work
Changing psychologist under WorkCover or CTP is generally a straightforward process. Your GP can assist with a referral to a new psychologist, who can then continue your treatment within the relevant scheme. The practical steps are usually managed by your treating team, so the process is not something you need to coordinate on your own. As with any treatment under these schemes, the usual approval arrangements apply.
The decision is yours
Ultimately, this is your recovery, and you are entitled to seek treatment that genuinely helps you. Considering a change is a reasonable thing to do, and a thoughtful approach simply helps you make the choice that is right for your situation. If you would like to talk through your options, you are welcome to get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You have the right to choose your treatment provider under both the WorkCover and CTP schemes in NSW, which includes changing to a different psychologist. It is a reasonable and accepted thing to do, particularly if you do not feel a productive connection with your current psychologist, or you feel your progress has stalled.
Common reasons include not feeling comfortable or understood, which affects how well treatment works, or feeling that progress has plateaued. These are recognised and legitimate reasons to consider a change, and they do not reflect any fault on your part.
It is often worthwhile. A conversation with your psychologist or GP can help you explore why your progress has stalled, and in some cases that can be addressed without changing provider. If a change is still the right step, that discussion also helps the transition proceed more smoothly. A professional psychologist will not take the question personally.
Related
Make an enquiry
If you would like to discuss your psychological treatment or your options, please call or email directly. All enquiries are handled personally.
This page is general information for people in NSW and is not personal or clinical advice. Arrangements depend on your individual claim and insurer approval. Please speak with your treating doctor about your situation.