WorkCover Counselling for Tradies and Construction Workers
For many tradies, labourers and construction workers, work is more than just a job. It can be connected to independence, routine, income, identity, physical strength, skill, pride and being able to provide for yourself or your family.
You’re capable, practical, solve problems and used to getting things done!
What happens if a workplace injury suddenly changes what your body can do, your ability to work as you have in the past? It can be a lot to manage – physically, emotionally, financially and practically.
You may be managing pain, appointments, scans, surgery, physio, paperwork, time off work, reduced income, and uncertainty about when or whether you will be able to return to your usual duties.
And underneath all of that, there can be grief, frustration, worry, anger, embarrassment, fear or a sense of feeling stuck. That does not mean you are weak but that something important in your life has been disrupted, and you deserve support while you work out what recovery looks like from here.
When Being Off The Tools Starts Affecting Your Mental Health
Being injured can change your day-to-day life very quickly. One day you are working, lifting, driving, building, fixing, carrying, moving, sorting things out and getting on with it. Then suddenly your body will not let you do what you normally do and that can be extremely difficult to navigate.
You might notice yourself thinking things like:
“I should be coping better than this.”
“I hate needing help.”
“What if I can’t get back to my usual work?”
“What if I hurt myself again?”
“How long is this going to take?”
“What if people think I’m not trying?”
“I’m sick of everyone asking when I’ll be back.”
These thoughts can feel heavy, especially if you are used to keeping things to yourself or just pushing through. A workplace injury does not only affect the injured body part but can also affect your sleep, mood, patience, relationships, confidence, routine and sense of who you are.
Counselling Is Practical Support Not Judgement
WorkCover counselling is not about sitting in a room being told how to feel and is not about blaming you, judging you, or telling you to “think positive.”
Counselling can be practical, grounded and focused on what is actually happening in your life.
It may help you:
- Manage stress, frustration or anger
- Cope with pain and uncertainty
- Improve sleep and daily routine
- Understand anxiety or low mood after injury
- Prepare for return-to-work conversations
- Adjust to suitable duties or changed hours
- Process a serious workplace accident
- Rebuild confidence after injury
- Manage the pressure of being away from work
Talk through the things you may not want to put on your family, partner, mates or work crew.
Not Usually The Counselling Type?
We know that for a lot of tradies and people working in construction, counselling might not be the first thing you think of when you are injured.
In Australia, there can still be a bit of a “you’ll be right” attitude that encourages pushing through, don’t complain, don’t make a fuss and get back to work.
Seeing a counsellor after a workplace injury does not mean you are weak, soft, dramatic or unable to cope. It does not mean you are sitting around talking about feelings for the sake of it. It can be more like having another person on your recovery team alongside your GP, physio, surgeon or rehab provider by helping you manage the stress, frustration, pressure and head noise that can come with being injured and off work.
You might not be the kind of person who usually talks about this stuff and that is okay. Counselling can still be practical, straight-talking and focused on what you actually need: sleeping better, managing stress, dealing with pain, getting through the WorkCover process, rebuilding confidence, and working out how to return to work without feeling like everything is sitting on your shoulders
With Grace Therapy, WorkCover psychology and counselling services are here to support you.
Returning To Work Safely Matters
Returning to work after an injury is not just about being medically cleared or ticking a box. It also needs to consider whether you feel confident, supported and safe enough to return.
For some people, the physical recovery happens before the confidence comes back and for others, pain, fear, workplace pressure or uncertainty can make the whole process feel overwhelming.
A good return-to-work plan should consider the whole person and come from a biopsychosocial approach – acknowledging all of the important factors that support your return to work or next steps.
At With Grace Therapy, we support injured workers across a range of industries, including construction, trades, labouring, transport, manufacturing and other physical roles.
We offer WorkCover counselling in Brisbane, Caloundra and online, depending on your claim approval and whether the appointment is suitable for your needs.If your workplace injury is affecting your mood, sleep, confidence, relationships, pain, routine or readiness to return to work, you are allowed to ask for support.
You are not broken because you are finding this hard and recovery is allowed to include your mental health too.
