Lisa IrvingClinical Psychologist · Telehealth
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Free starter courseFor employers and leaders

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

Workplace trauma impacts mental health and productivity. This course helps employers support workers with PTSD and build a resilient workplace. Learn to recognise PTSD, provide effective support, explore treatment options, assess work capacity, and navigate workers compensation. Gain practical tools to foster recovery and meet legal responsibilities.

4 modules · 15 lessons

Welcome!

Lisa Irving (Clinical Psychologist) welcomes you to this training course designed for employers, managers, HR teams and leaders.

If you’re here, it’s because you want to better support your team, especially when someone has experienced a traumatic event at work. Whether you’re leading a large organisation or a small team, this course will give you the knowledge and tools to understand what PTSD is, how it can affect staff, and, most importantly, what you can do to help.

Here’s how the course is structured:

Module 1: Introduction, Lisa Irving & The CARES Model for Work-Related PTSD
Meet your facilitator, Lisa Irving, and learn about the CARES Model. This module also acknowledges the employer’s perspective and wellbeing, shares a little about how the course is designed, outlines the roles of each party in the workers compensation system, and includes a short pre-commencement survey.

Module 2: Understanding PTSD After a Workplace Incident
In this module, you will learn what Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is, how it develops, and the different ways it can appear in the workplace. We will explore its impact on an employee’s performance, communication, and engagement at work.

You will also discover the key indicators of PTSD and learn how to recognise when an employee may be struggling - while distinguishing it from other common work-related stress responses.

Module 3: Providing Support for Employees with PTSD
This module focuses on the practical steps leaders and managers can take to create a psychologically safe, trauma-informed workplace. You will learn effective communication strategies, how to make policy adjustments, and ways to provide environmental supports that help employees feel secure and valued.

Module 4: Navigating the Workers Compensation System
In this module, you will gain a clear overview of the workers compensation system, including both employer and employee responsibilities. We will highlight common pitfalls and share practical strategies to ensure the process is smoother, more compassionate, and supportive for everyone involved.

Module 5: Effective Treatment Options for PTSD
This module provides a summary of the most effective treatment options available for PTSD, with a special focus on Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a highly recommended treatment for trauma recovery. This module will help you better understand the range of treatments employees may be accessing.

Module 6: Assessing Work Capacity: When Is A Worker Ready to Return-to-Work?
How do you know when an employee is truly ready to return to work? In this module, you will learn how to assess work capacity in collaboration with healthcare professionals. We will examine both clinical and functional indicators so that you can make informed, supportive decisions that balance recovery with workplace needs.

Module 7: Observations and Recommendations for Occupational Groups at Higher Risk of PTSD
Which groups and industries are most at risk? Gain insights into occupational groups more vulnerable to PTSD, and explore tailored strategies for supporting these workers effectively.

Module 9: Thank you and a Note on the AI Software Used
Concluding reflections, along with an overview of how AI tools can assist in ongoing support and education.

Module 9: Assessment and Certification of Completion
Complete your assessment to demonstrate learning and receive certification for this course.

Module 10: Readings and References Relevant to the Course
Access additional resources, research, and readings to continue building your knowledge after course completion.

Each module is short, practical, and designed for real world application. No fluff, just the essentials.

The course will take approximately 8 hours to complete. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can dip in and out as time allows without losing your place.

The course aims to support your understanding of recovery, legal responsibilities, and workplace mental health and safety.

Let’s get started.

Modules

4
  1. Introduction: Lisa Irving & The CARES Model for Work Related PTSDMeet Lisa Irving and learn about the CARES model: five steps to support people with work related PTSD and guide recovery effectively.Show 6 lessonsHide lessons
    1. 1.Welcome!
    2. 2.A Little Secret About the Course...
    3. 3.The CARES Model
    4. 4.Acknowledging Your Perspective as the Employer: You Matter Too
    5. 5.The Roles of Each Party in the Workers Compensation System
    6. 6.Pre Commencement Survey
  2. Understanding PTSD After A Workplace IncidentLearn what qualifies as a workplace trauma and the common symptoms of PTSD, with real life examples to illustrate how these experiences may present.Show 5 lessonsHide lessons
    1. 1.Introduction to PTSD
    2. 2.What is the Prevalence of PTSD in Specific Work Settings?
    3. 3.Recognising PTSD in Employees
    4. 4.The Impact of PTSD on Work Performance
    5. 5.Psychometry: A Screening Tool for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
  3. Readings and References Relevant to the CourseA collection of key readings and references supporting the course content, organised by topic for further learning and credibility.Show 3 lessonsHide lessons
    1. 1.References: The CARES Model
    2. 2.References: The Employer's Perspective
    3. 3.References: Understanding PTSD After a Workplace Incident
  4. Starter Course CompletedShow 1 lessonHide lessons
    1. 1.Congratulations on completing the PTSD in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Employers: Free Starter Course!