In the initial Adjustment to Injury Counselling session, an assessment of the presenting issues, symptoms and psychological history is made and specific assessment tools such as the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21) may be administered.

The individual will then participate in up to five counselling sessions as recommended by the Registered Psychologist or Rehabilitation Counsellor. These sessions are structured to identify and address triggers for the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that impact on the person’s capacity to return to work. The personalised counselling plan may lead to a variety of topics, options and alternatives:

• Psychoeducation
• Strategies for coping
• Process of adapting
• Education on the rehabilitation process
• Stress management
• Emotion regulation
• Trauma processing
• Mindfulness skills

All adjustment to injury counselling sessions include the development of an individualised goal-orientated management plan to achieve a successful return to work. This plan is developed in a holistic manner that incorporates the following elements:

• The worker’s injury
• The worker’s symptoms
• The worker’s triggers / aggravating factors
• The worker’s pre-injury job role
• The worker’s return to work plan
• The workplace environment
• The worker’s support network

Benefits

Adjustment to Injury Counselling can help the employee and employer

Adjustment to Injury Counselling has benefits for both the employee and employer when it results in sustainable return to work outcomes and reduced worker’s compensation costs.

Furthermore, it can assist an injured worker in overcoming the variety of difficulties often associated with complex return to work claims. Access to early intervention injury counselling outcomes empower individuals with increased awareness and understanding of the psychological processes underlying the issues and barriers they face, and the capacity to take control and respond more effectively to change in their personal and working life.

People’s lives outside of the workplace can significantly impact their mood and behaviours during work hours. For this reason KINNECT’s Adjustment to Injury Counselling service includes identifying these difficulties and a number of self-management strategies to assist. Adjustment to Injury Counselling teaches self-management strategies that are not only effective when used but also practical in nature.

KINNECT offer Adjustment to Injury Counselling services for workers with both psychological and physical injuries. Our team of expert Psychologists and Rehabilitation Counsellors are available to work with your employees recovering from either a physical and/or psychological injury, to assist them with overcoming identified psychological barriers and facilitating a safe and sustainable return to work.

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