Workplace Stress and Injury Treatment Gold Coast
Work takes up a large part of our lives, so when it becomes stressful, the effects rarely stay at the office. Long hours, heavy workloads, difficult colleagues or managers, job insecurity, shift work and constant pressure can leave you exhausted, anxious or dreading each day. Stress that builds over months can turn into burnout, affecting your sleep, mood, health and relationships. Workplace stress is common, and there are evidence-based psychological approaches that many people find helpful.
At listeningloudly psychology in Varsity Lakes, our Clinical Psychologists work with adults across the Gold Coast and Australia via telehealth who are dealing with work stress, burnout, workplace conflict, career changes and work-related psychological injury. We also work with veterans and current or former ADF members, including DVA-funded clients, and with people whose treatment is funded through WorkCover Queensland. Whether the pressure has been building for years or followed a specific event at work, therapy can help you understand what keeps the stress going and give you practical ways to respond differently.
Signs and symptoms
Workplace stress and response to physical or psychological injury looks different from person to person, and you may notice some of the signs below more than others.
Workplace stress looks different from person to person, and you may notice some of the signs below more than others.
Constant exhaustion: Feeling drained before the day has started, and not recovering after weekends or time off.
Dreading work: A sinking feeling on Sunday nights or on the way in, or physical tension when you think about work.
Difficulty switching off: Replaying conversations, checking emails after hours or lying awake going over tasks.
Trouble sleeping: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking early with work on your mind. Irritability: Feeling short-tempered or easily overwhelmed with colleagues, clients or family.
Reduced concentration: Making more mistakes, losing focus or struggling to make decisions that used to feel easy.
Cynicism or detachment: Feeling numb, resentful or no longer caring about work that once mattered to you.
Physical symptoms: Headaches, muscle tension, stomach problems or frequent illness during stressful periods.
Conflict or feeling unsafe at work: Ongoing tension with a manager or colleague, or an experience at work that has shaken your confidence.
Difficulty adjusting to change: Struggling after a role change, redundancy, return to work, or leaving a structured career such as military service.
How therapy helps and what to expect at listeningloudly
Therapy for workplace stress usually moves through stages, and we adjust the pace to suit you.
Getting to know you
In your first sessions we talk through your work situation, what has been happening and what you would like to change.
Understanding you
Together we look at the pressures, thoughts and habits that maintain the stress, so the patterns make sense and have a clear starting point.
Building practical skills
You learn and practise evidence-based strategies for managing stress, setting boundaries, recovering after work and handling difficult situations, tailored to your job and your life.
Making it last
We review your progress, plan for difficult periods and build on what is working, so you can keep using the skills after therapy ends.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between work stress and burnout?
Work stress is the strain of too many demands, and it often eases when the pressure does. Burnout is what can follow when stress goes on for a long time without recovery, and it tends to involve exhaustion, cynicism and a drop in how effective you feel. Both can be helped by therapy, and a first appointment is a chance to talk through what you are experiencing.
Can I use WorkCover or DVA funding for therapy?
Funding depends on your situation. WorkCover Queensland may cover psychology for a work-related psychological injury once a claim is accepted, and DVA may cover treatment for eligible veterans. We can explain the process for each, and you can also read more on our WorkCover and DVA pages. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, your GP, insurer or DVA can confirm.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist for work stress?
You don't need a referral to book with a psychologist. A GP can prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (often called a Mental Health Care Plan), which may allow you to claim Medicare rebates on a set number of sessions each calendar year, depending on your situation. Your GP can tell you whether you're eligible. Sessions are available face-to-face in Varsity Lakes or by telehealth from anywhere in Australia.listeningloudly offers expert and compassionate clinical psychology services for most concerns and difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, life transitions, self-esteem, work and employment issues.
Whatever brings you to us - you are welcome here. Whether you are facing a life challenge or would like to improve your mental health and wellbeing we offer individualised care, customised to your particular needs and goals. To find out more about our practice and who we work with, see our Clinical Psychology Services on the Gold Coast.