Revamp Psychology provides trauma-focused psychological therapy for individuals following workplace injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and other traumatic or distressing events. Services are available to clients across New South Wales via telehealth, with in-person appointments available in Strathfield. Treatment can be delivered within Workers Compensation (WorkCover) and CTP frameworks where applicable.
Trauma-focused therapy addresses the psychological and physiological responses that can develop after a traumatic event. These responses are a normal reaction to abnormal circumstances — but without appropriate support, they can persist, interfere with daily functioning, and complicate recovery from injury. Therapy aims to reduce distress, support processing of what happened, and help people re-engage with their lives with greater confidence and stability.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychological therapy developed to help people recover from the lasting effects of distressing and traumatic experiences. It is recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress.
EMDR works on the understanding that traumatic memories are sometimes stored in a way that keeps them emotionally charged — meaning they can continue to feel raw, immediate, or overwhelming long after the event itself has passed. When something reminds you of what happened, your nervous system can respond as though the threat is still present. This is not a sign of weakness or a personal failing; it reflects how the brain processes and stores experiences under extreme stress.
EMDR uses a structured approach to help the brain reprocess these memories so that they lose their emotional intensity. The therapy involves recalling distressing material in brief, controlled doses while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation — typically guided eye movements, though tapping or auditory tones can also be used. Over time, memories that once felt overwhelming tend to become less distressing, and the associations driving avoidance, anxiety, or intrusive symptoms begin to shift.
Unlike some other approaches, EMDR does not require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events, and it does not involve prolonged exposure or homework between sessions. Many people find it a manageable and effective way to address experiences that have been difficult to talk about directly.
Matt Semsar is a registered psychologist with formal training and applied clinical experience in EMDR. He uses EMDR where clinically appropriate, as part of a broader, individualised treatment plan — not as a standalone or one-size-fits-all intervention.
Workplace injuries and motor vehicle accidents are among the more common contexts in which trauma responses develop. The event itself may have been frightening, painful, sudden, or physically serious — and the recovery period that follows can introduce its own stressors: uncertainty about the future, disruption to work and identity, ongoing pain, and navigating complex insurance and rehabilitation systems.
Not everyone who experiences a workplace injury or accident will develop a trauma response, and presentations vary significantly between individuals. Some people notice symptoms within days; for others, difficulties emerge weeks or months later. Common responses include:
These symptoms can occur alongside — and interact with — physical pain, adjustment difficulties, and the psychological stress of being in a compensation system. Trauma-focused therapy takes all of these factors into account.
Trauma-focused therapy at Revamp Psychology is structured, goal-oriented, and tailored to the individual's presentation, readiness, and rehabilitation context. Treatment typically progresses through the following phases, though the pace and emphasis will vary between individuals.
Treatment begins with a thorough assessment of current symptoms, history, and functional goals. This informs a shared understanding of what is driving the difficulties and what treatment will involve. A clear formulation also helps set realistic expectations about the process and timeline.
Before any trauma processing begins, time is spent building a foundation of safety and stability. This includes psychoeducation about trauma and how the nervous system responds to threat, as well as practical skills for emotional regulation, grounding, and managing distress between sessions. This phase is a clinically important part of treatment — not a preliminary formality — and some clients benefit significantly from stabilisation work alone.
Where clinically appropriate and when the person is ready, EMDR or other trauma-focused approaches are used to process the memories and associations maintaining symptoms. Sessions are structured and paced carefully, with attention to the person's window of tolerance and overall wellbeing. Processing is not about reliving or retelling an event in full — it is a controlled, supported process aimed at reducing the emotional charge attached to distressing memories.
As distress reduces, therapy shifts toward consolidating gains and supporting re-engagement with previously avoided activities, environments, and roles. This phase attends to confidence, identity, and the practical steps involved in returning to work and daily life. Where appropriate, this work is coordinated with the broader treating team, including general practitioners, physiotherapists, rehabilitation consultants, and exercise physiologists.
Trauma-focused therapy and EMDR can be delivered within Workers Compensation (WorkCover) and CTP insurance frameworks in New South Wales. Psychological treatment under these schemes requires insurer approval, and the treating psychologist works within the requirements of the relevant scheme throughout.
Matt has experience working within compensation systems and understands the additional pressures that can arise for people navigating claims — including the impact of medico-legal processes, insurer correspondence, and uncertainty about entitlements on psychological wellbeing. Therapy takes these contextual stressors seriously rather than treating them as separate from clinical work.
For more detail on how psychological treatment works under WorkCover and CTP, see the Workers Compensation and CTP page.
No. Unlike some approaches, EMDR does not require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events. Processing is a controlled, supported process and does not involve prolonged retelling or reliving of experiences.
This varies depending on the individual's presentation, history, and treatment goals. Some people see meaningful change within a relatively small number of sessions; others benefit from a longer course of treatment. This is discussed openly during the assessment phase.
Yes. EMDR and trauma-focused therapy are available via telehealth to clients anywhere in New South Wales. The evidence base supports telehealth delivery of EMDR, and it is clinically appropriate for the majority of presentations seen at Revamp Psychology. In-person appointments are also available in Strathfield for clients who prefer face-to-face sessions.
Yes, subject to insurer approval. Trauma-focused therapy including EMDR can be delivered within Workers Compensation (WorkCover) and CTP frameworks in NSW. See the Workers Compensation and CTP page for more information.
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