Services
WorkSafe Victoria Counselling in Narre Warren
Steady Ground to Recover On
Support for workers recovering from a work-related psychological or physical injury, at no out-of-pocket cost.
If you've experienced a work-related injury, whether psychological, physical, or both, WorkSafe Victoria can fund counselling to support your recovery and return to work. Thoughtful Strides Counselling and Psychotherapy is a registered WorkSafe Victoria counselling provider, offering trauma-informed, evidence-based support for injured workers across Victoria.
Common reasons workers access WorkSafe-funded counselling include workplace bullying or harassment, exposure to a traumatic incident, workplace accidents or injuries, excessive or unsafe workloads, and psychological injury arising from any work-related event or ongoing workplace stressor. Where anger has become part of the picture following a workplace incident, anger management counselling can also form part of this work. Whatever the injury, the goal is the same, steady ground under you again, and a clear path back to work and to yourself.
Have a specific question? Jump straight to the FAQs below.
Am I Eligible?
You may be eligible for WorkSafe-funded counselling if:
- You are employed in Victoria, or your employment is connected to Victoria
- You have a physical or mental health condition that was caused, or significantly contributed to, by your work
- You have lodged a Workcover claim with WorkSafe Victoria (a claim doesn't need to be fully accepted before treatment can start, see Provisional Payments below)
How to Access WorkSafe Counselling
See Your GP
Have your symptoms assessed and the connection to your work discussed. In the same visit, your GP can issue a Certificate of Capacity and a referral for counselling, the two documents that get everything else moving.
Choose Your Provider
You're entitled to choose your own counsellor, provided they're registered with WorkSafe Victoria. Your employer or insurer cannot direct you to a specific provider.
Lodge Your Claim
You or your employer submit the claim form and Certificate of Capacity to your employer's WorkSafe agent.
Start Treatment
Under the Provisional Payments scheme, you can generally begin counselling for up to 13 weeks while your claim is being assessed, even before it's formally accepted.
Our Approach
With PACFA Clinical Registration, AASW membership, and 20 years of clinical experience, our WorkSafe counselling is trauma-informed and tailored to your specific injury and recovery goals, always working in line with WorkSafe's Clinical Framework and in collaboration with your GP and treatment team, so recovery feels steady rather than uncertain.
What to Expect
Sessions are 60 minutes, available in person in Narre Warren or via telehealth across Victoria. WorkSafe can fund the reasonable costs of counselling for up to 12 hours or six months, provided your progress continues to be reviewed by your treating medical practitioner and treatment remains clinically justified. Further sessions can be supported with updated clinical justification if needed.
Once your claim is accepted, you typically pay nothing. WorkSafe's insurer pays your counsellor directly at the published fee schedule rate.
Recovering from a workplace injury is rarely only physical. Good support treats the whole impact, not just the claim.
Not accessing counselling through WorkSafe? Session fees and rebate details for self-funded or private health cover are on the Fees page.
If you have a work-related injury and would like support with your recovery, help is available.
Book a Session →Common Questions
WorkSafe Counselling FAQs
WorkSafe counselling is professional psychological support funded by WorkSafe Victoria for workers recovering from a work-related injury, including psychological injuries such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or stress caused or significantly contributed to by their employment.
Yes. WorkSafe requires a referral from a medical practitioner, usually your GP, before counselling can begin. Prior approval from WorkSafe is not required once you have this referral.
Yes. Under WorkSafe's Provisional Payments scheme, you can generally start accessing treatment, including counselling, for up to 13 weeks while your claim is being assessed, even if it's ultimately not accepted.
WorkSafe can fund the reasonable costs of counselling for up to 12 hours or six months, provided the service meets WorkSafe's criteria and your progress is reviewed by your treating medical practitioner. Further sessions may be supported with updated clinical justification.
Once your claim is accepted, you typically pay nothing out of pocket. WorkSafe's insurer pays your registered counsellor directly at the published fee schedule rate.
Yes. You're entitled to choose your own counsellor, provided they are registered with WorkSafe Victoria. Your employer or insurer cannot direct you to a specific provider.
Yes, in line with WorkSafe's telehealth policy. Thoughtful Strides Counselling and Psychotherapy offers WorkSafe-funded counselling via telehealth across Victoria, as well as in person in Narre Warren.
WorkSafe-funded counselling can support conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, adjustment disorder, and other psychological injuries arising from workplace bullying, harassment, traumatic incidents, or excessive workplace stress.
Ready to take the first step?
Appointments are available now. Reach out today and we'll find a time that works for you.
Book an Appointment