Injury Management

In the past the most disregarded component of injured persons’ rehabilitation has been the psychological aspect. Yet, it is one of the most important, as without the right mental attitude and skills, the physical and physiological recovery can be hampered, and be not as effective.

The following outlines the structure within which I work with an injured client. After a thorough assessment of the client, they are educated on the following issues:

•What is an injury and what is pain?

•Predispositions to injury

•The emotional response to injury

•The cognitive response to injury

•Processes associated with injury and pain

•Managing injury and pain

Clients are then educated and trained in the relevant

mental skills necessary to effectively improve the return to work

probablity and general quality of life of the individual.

Continual reviews occur and I also keep in contact with other

service providers including the GP, and the rehabilitation

manager.

The outcomes of psychological treatment that I seek to pursue

are:

•Effective diagnosis of the client

•Increased education of the psychological impact of an injury

•Increased motivation for Return to Work (RTW)

•Increased openness to seek further skills or job positions, thus increasing RTW potential

•Increased subjective view of function and capabilities post-injury

•Decreased anxiety

•Decreased depressive symptoms

•Increased mental coping skills, knowledge and ability

•Increased societal participation

•Increased self-esteem

•Increased satisfaction with work and societal relationships

•Improved adjustment to life with injury

•Improved quality of life

"MPC is qualified to conduct Vocational Assessment and Counselling (OR 07) under Workcover NSW's satisafctory criteria: a psychologist with at least 3 years experience in vocational assessments and vocational counselling, and is fully registered with the NSW Psychologist's Board."

(c) MPC 2008 - all rights reserved - site design Sarah Ray