When work stress follows you home

More than a busy week

High workloads, unclear responsibilities and little support can make it hard to switch off. You might notice that you are checking messages late at night, dreading the next shift or struggling to concentrate outside work.

Stress is not, by itself, a psychological injury. When pressure is severe or continues over time, it can affect health. A clinician can help you understand what you are experiencing rather than assuming a diagnosis from a list of symptoms.

What we can work on

Appointments give you space to talk about what is happening and how it is affecting daily life. Depending on your needs, treatment may focus on worry, panic, sleep, boundaries, confidence or coping with difficult conversations.

Your psychologist can help you consider practical goals and review what is changing. Therapy is not a substitute for fixing unsafe workloads or workplace behaviour. Responsibility for workplace safety does not sit with you alone.

Burnout and excessive demands

Burnout is often used to describe feeling exhausted and worn down by work. It does not automatically establish a WorkCover claim. It is useful to tell your GP about the demands involved, how long they have continued and the effects on your health.

Examples to discuss could include repeated overtime, unrealistic deadlines, not enough staff, conflicting instructions or being unable to take breaks. Keep any notes factual. You do not need to share employer documents in a website form.

Can WorkCover fund treatment?

Funding depends on your injury, the rules that apply to your claim and the treatment arrangements. New rules apply to many primary psychological injuries first notified to an employer on or after 1 July 2026.

We can help organise psychology appointments, but we do not decide whether an employer has acted unlawfully or whether a claim is accepted. Ask your insurer or an independent adviser about claim eligibility.

Getting started

Contact us with your preferred clinic or ask about telehealth. A GP referral and any insurer approval help us check the next step. You can also ask about private treatment if WorkCover funding is not available.