Recovery-focused psychological care for workers with an accepted WorkCover claim — psychological injury, secondary mental health impact from physical injury, return-to-work support. I handle the liaison with GPs, case managers, and insurers so you can focus on getting well.
Pre-approval status matters — if you're at the start of a claim and not yet approved, that's OK to reach out about. I can help you understand what's needed and liaise with your treating GP and case manager to get psychological treatment authorised.
WorkCover psychology has specific requirements — proper documentation, regular insurer reviews, clear treatment goals tied to recovery. I work within that framework while keeping the actual sessions focused on what's clinically useful for you, not just what ticks insurer boxes.
Trauma-informed for incident-related claims (workplace assault, witnessed accidents, harassment aftermath). ACT and schema-informed for stress / anxiety / mood arising from work conditions. CBT and behavioural activation where structured skill-building fits. No cookie-cutter protocol — the approach matches the injury and the person.
Communication with your GP, your case manager, your insurer, and your employer where appropriate — all handled by me. You don't need to be the messenger between treating providers. I keep notes of every liaison touchpoint so there's a clear paper trail for your claim.
Detailed THP reports when your case manager or insurer needs them — clear, timely, and written with your recovery in mind. The reports are evidence-based and substantive: they outline current symptoms, treatment progress, prognosis, and recommended next steps. Not boilerplate.
When you're at the point of considering return-to-work, the sessions shift to support that — graduated return-to-work planning, workplace-adjustment recommendations for the employer (via the case manager), coping strategies for the actual return. Many psychological injuries have a return-to-work component before they're 'done' — that's part of the work, not a separate phase.
No upfront payment of the full session fee. The gap fee is payable at the time of the appointment (EFTPOS / credit card); the rest is billed to your WorkSafe insurer. The reduced upfront cost means treatment isn't gated on your cashflow at a time when income may already be reduced.
WorkCover claims involve multiple stakeholders by design — your treating GP, the case manager, sometimes an independent medical examiner, sometimes a return-to-work coordinator. Coordinating across them is exhausting when you're already unwell. That coordination is part of what you're paying for here, not extra.
WorkSafe approves treatment in blocks — typically 10 sessions at a time, then a review where I provide a progress update and request continuation if clinically needed. The reviews are administrative but the sessions themselves are not interrupted by them.
If your psychological treatment hasn't been pre-approved yet, the first step is getting that authorisation. I can help liaise with your GP and case manager to get the request in. The first session typically can't go ahead until pre-approval is on file — without it, the session isn't billable to the insurer and would be private-pay.
Comprehensive intake covering the injury, treatment goals, current symptoms, history relevant to the claim, and how the injury is impacting daily functioning. I document everything carefully because the insurer record matters — both for ongoing approval and for the wider claim picture.
Frequency depends on clinical need and what the insurer has approved. Sessions are paced to your recovery — sometimes weekly through an acute stretch, then fortnightly as things stabilise. I keep clinical notes that meet WorkCover documentation requirements without making the sessions feel administrative.
At every 5-session milestone (5, 10, 15…), I send a structured progress update to your case manager — current symptoms, treatment progress, goals achieved, next phase. If continuation is clinically warranted, the request goes in at the same time. Approvals typically come back within a few weeks; sessions continue at the agreed frequency in the meantime.
Beyond the routine session-review updates, your case manager or insurer may request a more detailed THP report — particularly at claim-review points or before a return-to-work decision. These are written carefully, substantively, and from a recovery-focused position. They typically take 1–2 weeks to turn around.
When the work shifts toward return-to-work, sessions help build the practical and psychological readiness. A graduated return is usually recommended (not full hours from day one) and the planning involves the workplace via the case manager. Discharge happens when treatment goals are met — with a closing report to your GP and the insurer.
WorkSafe Victoria covers a set rate per session. You pay the gap fee at the time of the appointment, and the remaining cost is billed directly to your WorkSafe insurer. No upfront payment of the full session fee is required.
If you're a case manager checking credentials and fit before authorising treatment, the answers most often asked:
AHPRA registered as a Clinical Psychologist and Educational & Developmental Psychologist. AAPi member (Australian Association of Psychologists Inc.). WorkSafe Victoria approved provider.
13 Clyde Rd, Berwick VIC 3806. Consulting rooms with accessible entry. Telehealth available (secure platform) for clients where in-person isn't practical.
$250 initial, $220 ongoing. WorkSafe-covered: $203.91/session direct billing. Client gap: $46.09 initial, $16.09 ongoing — payable at appointment.
Clinical notes meeting WorkCover documentation requirements maintained for every session. Structured progress updates every 5 sessions (or as requested). THP reports turned around within 1–2 weeks. Liaison correspondence captured in the claim record.
Email is preferred for case manager liaison — admin@brainhelperspsychology.com.au — and is monitored daily. Phone via 03 7037 4207 (Option 5 for Dr Sharon Mittiga) for time-sensitive matters.
Or if you're still navigating the claim, get in touch and I'll help work out the next step with your GP and case manager.