PTSD in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Employees (Starter)

Welcome!

Lisa Irving (Clinical Psychologist) welcomes you to this course.

If you’re here, it’s likely because you’ve experienced a traumatic event at work, or you’re dealing with the effects of trauma now, and you want to better understand what’s happening and how to move forward.

This course has been created to support employees who have experienced work-related trauma or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You’ll learn more about what you're going through, the support you’re entitled to, and the practical steps you can take toward recovery and returning to work safely and confidently, in your own time.

The goal is simple:

• Help you make sense of your experience
• Give you practical strategies to cope and heal
• Support you through recovery, work adjustments, and next steps
• Empower you with knowledge about treatment and your rights

You are not alone, and the fact that you're here shows strength.

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What You Will Learn in This Course

Module 1: Introduction, Lisa Irving & The CARES Model for Work-Related PTSD
Meet your facilitator, explore the CARES Model, and reflect on your own role in recovery. This module also helps you understand how the course is structured, encourages you to consider your perspective as an employee, and includes a short pre-commencement survey to help you track your learning journey.

Module 2: Understanding PTSD After A Workplace Incident
Learn what PTSD is, how it develops, and the different ways it can show up in daily life and at work. You’ll gain insight into symptoms, triggers, and the difference between PTSD and other stress responses.

Module 3: Accessing Support for PTSD
Explore the practical supports available to you - from medical treatment and psychological services to workplace adjustments. This module will also guide you on how to seek support and communicate your needs.

Module 4: Navigating the Workers Compensation System
Understand your rights, responsibilities, and the processes involved in workers compensation. We will highlight how to approach claims, common challenges, and how to advocate for yourself effectively.

Module 5: Effective Treatment Options for PTSD
Gain a clear overview of evidence-based treatments, with a focus on Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). You will learn what treatment might look like and how to find the right approach for you.

Module 6: Work Capacity and Return-to-Work
Learn how to recognise when you may be ready to return-to-work, how to pace yourself, and how to work with professionals to make this transition smoother and safer.

Module 7: Observations and Recommendations for High-Risk Occupations
Some occupational groups experience higher rates of PTSD. Here, we’ll discuss why and how this may apply to your own experience.

Module 8: Career Redirection, Inspiration for You to Consider
Sometimes recovery opens new pathways. This module offers encouragement and strategies for exploring career changes or redirection if that becomes part of your journey.

Module 9: Being Clever With Your Money While on Workers Compensation
Practical guidance on managing your finances during a difficult time, ensuring stability while you focus on recovery.

Module 10: Thank You and a Note on the AI Used
Provides clarity around how the AI tools that have been incorporated to enhance your learning experience.

Module 11: Assessment and Certification of Completion
We’ll conclude with final reflections, additional tools (including AI-supported resources), and your assessment for course completion certification.

Module 12: Readings and References Relevant to the Course
A curated list of materials to deepen your knowledge and support you beyond this course.

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What to Expect

Each module is short, practical, and free of fluff. Everything is designed to be applied to your real-world experience.

The course takes around 8 hours in total, but you do not need to complete it all at once. Your progress saves automatically so you can pause and return whenever you’re ready.

Learning goals include:

• Better understand your symptoms and responses

• Know what support is available and how to access it

• Be more confident navigating treatment and work decisions

• Feel more in control of your recovery and rights

You're in the right place, and taking this step matters.
When you're ready, let’s begin.