Home › Resources › Your first session
What to expect in your first WorkCover psychology session
Quick answer: The first session is usually an assessment, a conversation rather than a test. Your psychologist asks about your injury, your symptoms, your history, and how things are affecting daily life, then works with you to understand your goals and outline an approach. You can share as much or as little as you feel ready to, and there's nothing you need to get "right."
Starting psychology can feel daunting, especially when it's tied to a claim and you didn't choose to be in this situation. Knowing what the first session involves takes some of the uncertainty out of it. Here's what usually happens.
It starts with a conversation
The first session is generally an assessment. That sounds formal, but in practice it's a conversation. Your psychologist wants to understand what happened, how you've been since, and what's been hardest, whether that is the physical side, the emotional side, sleep, work, relationships, or anything else that has been affected. There are no wrong answers, and you set the pace. If something is difficult to talk about, you don't have to go there before you're ready.
What you might be asked about
- The injury itself, and how and when it happened
- The symptoms you've been experiencing, for example anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, or distressing memories
- How things are affecting your day-to-day life, work, and relationships
- A bit about your background and any previous experiences that feel relevant
- What you're hoping treatment will help with
Sometimes the psychologist may ask you to complete a brief questionnaire to help understand how you're going. This is routine and just gives a clearer starting picture.
How it's delivered, and confidentiality
At Revamp Psychology, sessions are provided by telehealth across NSW, so your first appointment takes place by video from wherever you are, with no travel required. Psychological treatment is confidential, with some limits: because treatment is funded under the scheme, your psychologist provides progress reporting to the insurer as required, and there are standard legal and safety exceptions. Your psychologist will explain exactly what this means at the start, so you know where you stand before you share anything.
By the end of the first session
By the end, you and your psychologist will usually have a shared understanding of what's going on and a sense of direction, including the goals that matter to you and the approach that might help. Treatment is collaborative and adjusted as you go. You don't have to have it all figured out walking in; that's what the work is for.
Frequently asked questions
The first session is usually an assessment. The psychologist asks about your injury, your symptoms, your history, and how things are affecting your daily life, then works with you to understand your goals and outline an approach to treatment. It is a conversation, not a test.
You don't need to prepare much. It can help to have your claim details handy and to think about what's been hardest for you since the injury, but the psychologist will guide the conversation. You can share as much or as little as you feel ready to.
Psychological treatment is confidential, with some limits. Because treatment is funded under the scheme, your psychologist provides progress reporting to the insurer as required, and there are standard legal and safety exceptions to confidentiality. Your psychologist can explain exactly what this means at the start.
Related
Make an enquiry
If you'd like to discuss starting treatment, 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. Eligibility and funding depend on your individual claim and insurer approval. Please speak with your treating doctor about your situation.