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Choosing a CTP psychologist in NSW and what to ask before you book
Short answer: Look for an appropriately qualified, AHPRA-registered psychologist who understands motor accident injuries and the CTP system, is reasonably accessible, and feels like a good therapeutic fit. SIRA approval is not required to provide treatment in the NSW CTP scheme.
If a car accident has affected you psychologically, you may be looking to find a psychologist who works within the CTP (compulsory third party) scheme. Choosing the right one can feel like one more thing to work out at an already difficult time. The points below are simply things worth weighing up as you decide, since the best fit after a motor vehicle accident depends on your circumstances and what matters most to you.
Registration and CTP experience
A psychologist treating people under CTP should be appropriately qualified and registered with AHPRA. Unlike NSW Workers Compensation, SIRA provider approval is not required for CTP treatment. What can still matter is whether the psychologist understands motor accident injuries, CTP treatment requests, insurer communication and the difference between clinical treatment and claim administration.
Experience with motor accident claims
The CTP scheme has its own processes, terminology and reporting requirements, and these differ from other injury schemes. A psychologist who works regularly with motor vehicle accident claims is likely to be familiar with how treatment requests, recovery planning and scheme reporting fit together, which can make the experience smoother for you. It is reasonable to ask how often a psychologist works with CTP matters when you are choosing who to see.
Confirming CTP is the right scheme for you
Not every injury from a motor accident is dealt with under CTP. Where the accident happened in the course of your work, for example, your treatment may come under the workers compensation system instead. A psychologist experienced across both schemes, along with your GP and insurer, can help make sure you are heading down the right path for your situation, so it is worth raising early.
How easily you can be seen
Practical access matters more than it might first appear. Waiting times, appointment availability, and how sessions are delivered all affect how consistently you can attend, and consistency tends to support recovery. Telehealth, for example, can make appointments easier to keep and can remove the barrier of travel, which can be helpful if you live outside a major centre or if driving or travelling feels difficult after an accident. It is worth considering what kind of access will realistically work for you.
Comfort and fit
Beyond the practical considerations, it matters that you feel reasonably comfortable with the psychologist you see. Feeling understood and able to speak openly is part of what makes treatment effective. This is not always clear from the outset, and it can take a session or two to tell whether the working relationship suits you. That is a normal part of the process, and it is reasonable to weigh up fit as you go.
Questions worth asking before you book
A short phone call before the first appointment is a reasonable way to find out whether a psychologist suits you. These questions tend to give the most useful answers.
- How much of your work is with people recovering from motor vehicle accidents?
- Have you worked with CTP insurers before, and who prepares the treatment plan for approval?
- How soon could I start, and how often would sessions usually be?
- Can sessions be by telehealth if travelling or driving is difficult for me right now?
- What approaches do you use for accident-related anxiety, trauma or sleep problems?
- Do you need anything from me, my GP or my insurer before the first session?
- What happens if, after a session or two, it does not feel like the right fit?
There are no right or wrong answers. What matters is whether the replies are clear and whether the arrangement will work for you in practice.
What to have ready when you call
- your CTP claim number, if you have one
- the name of the CTP insurer and your case manager's contact details
- the date of the accident
- your GP's details, and any referral or recovery plan you have been given.
If you have not lodged a claim yet, you can still make contact. The psychologist can explain what usually needs to happen before treatment is funded.
Putting it together
No psychologist will be the perfect match on every measure, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you. Considering these factors together, rather than focusing on any one of them, tends to give the clearest picture. If you have questions about how treatment works or whether a particular arrangement would suit your situation, you are welcome to get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful things to consider include AHPRA registration, experience with CTP and motor accident injuries, how easily you can access appointments, and whether you feel comfortable working with the psychologist. SIRA approval is not required to provide treatment in the NSW CTP scheme.
No. SIRA approval is not required to deliver psychological treatment in the NSW CTP scheme. A psychologist should be appropriately qualified and AHPRA-registered; experience with motor accident injuries and the CTP process can also be useful.
Useful questions include how much of their work involves motor vehicle accident recovery, whether they have worked with CTP insurers, how soon you could start, whether telehealth is available, and what they need from you, your GP or your insurer before the first session.
SIRA advises that injured people will usually refer themselves to an allied health practitioner, although a GP or rehabilitation provider may also initiate the referral. Ongoing treatment still needs to meet the CTP scheme and insurer requirements.
Scheme information reviewed: 20 August 2026.
Official information
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Make an enquiry
If you have questions about CTP psychology or how treatment works, please call or email directly. All enquiries are handled personally.
For details of the psychological treatment Revamp offers after motor vehicle accidents, visit our CTP psychology services in NSW.
This is general information for NSW readers, not personal or clinical advice, and can't account for your specific circumstances. Eligibility and treatment depend on your individual claim and insurer approval, so check what applies to you with your treating doctor.