Organisational Psychology

Workers Compensation Claims for Psychology Injury

Psychological injury claims cost organisations and employers considerably more than other injuries because they can require more time off work and greater associated medical, legal and other fees. Whilst psychological injury only accounts for 10% of all claims, according to Comcare these claims account for 35% of the total cost of worker’s compensation claims each year. As such it is vital that employers, organisations and employees have access to the best evidence based psychological assessment, treatment and liaison with the workplace to assist with prompt resolution of psychological injury and early return to work. Evidence-based psychological interventions can play an important role in injury prevention and improved health and return to work outcomes. Our psychologists are trained in a range of evidence based interventions. As your WorkCover accredited treatment providers we can liaise with the relevant managers in your workplace to facilitate and enhance the return to work experience.

Critical Incident Management

A critical incident is any event or series of events that is overwhelming and threatens serious injury or death to yourself or others. It is important that in the event of a critical incident, your organisation can make available a fast support response. Our psychologists can assist you to manage such incidents and their sequelae thereby helping prevent potentially damaging effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder and absenteeism and minimising risk of harm for your employees. Current psychological intervention approaches emphasise the role of immediate practical support, use of existing support networks, maintaining worker morale, managers and supervisors monitoring employees post critical incident, and access to evidence based psychological treatment (such as trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy) for those employees identified as high risk.

Conflict Management Solutions

Conflict management is the practice of being able to identify and handle conflicts sensibly, fairly and efficiently. Conflict management does not imply conflict resolution. Conflict management minimises the negative outcomes of conflict and promotes the positive outcomes of conflict with the goal of improving individual team and organisational learning. Mediation is one method used to resolve conflict. Mediation is a collaborative structured meeting between parties to a conflict or dispute facilitated by a third party with the intention of aiding the participants to find solutions, and reach and later implement an agreement about the matter(s) in dispute. Following an organisational referral, discussions are held by our psychologists with Human Resources personnel or other appropriate organisational representative(s). Initial contact is made with participants to explain the process and ensure their informed cooperation. Meetings are held with individual employees, then if appropriate a meeting is facilitated together to explore for solutions and arrive at agreement. Written signed agreements are developed at the conclusion of the mediation as commitment to and evidence of any accord. Follow up contact is conducted by the psychologist with all parties to ensure the durability, sustainability and appropriateness of any agreements made. The psychologist also liaises with and provides post mediation feedback with referring personnel. A brief report is provided to the relevant Human Resources personnel.

Executive Coaching

Leadership style that it is more interpersonally aware and supportive, balancing empathy with limit-setting and directive behaviours can impact positively on employee well-being. Executive coaching can help competent and motivated managers lead more effectively and successfully. Leaders need a few highly professional confidential relationships where they can communicate openly, reflect, acquire powerful insight and real growth. An executive coach can help you cut through to the vital essential issues, facilitates candid reflection and allows for challenging feedback. Coaching can help you become a better leader with the relationship behaviours and interpersonal skills to achieve improved business outcomes. Mindfulness skills training and emotional intelligence coaching are part of our approach to skills development. Many have also reported that coaching has provided significant personal support through difficult times and transformed both their professional and personal lives.

Employee Assistance Programs

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an employer funded program designed to enhance the emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing of all employees and may include services for immediate family members. Work-based EAP programs provide your employees and managers access to short-term, professional counselling services by phone, online or face to face, enabling your employees to receive confidential counselling support wherever they are based.

EAP programs can also be specifically tailored to support employees facing redundancy or to provide management consulting expertise to employees needing support with work related behavioural issues.

EAP programs have been shown to provide measured improvements in employee absenteeism, productivity and identified a positive impact on workers compensation costs (Kirk, 2006; McLeod & McLeod, 2001).

Kirk, C. H. (2006) The effectiveness of a problem resolution and brief counselling EAP interventions. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 22(1), 1-12.

McLeod, J. & McLeod, J. (2001) How effective is workplace counselling? A review of the research literature. Counselling Psychotherapy Research, 1(3), 184-191.

Training & Development

Having fully trained and competent staff increases workplace efficiency, reduces incidents and improves workplace morale. We are able to assist with a broad range of training and development needs. Mullumbimby Psychology have accredited trainers that can deliver off-the-shelf training packages or work with staff and managers to unearth the underlying competencies or training needs and create tailor made training packages.

We are able to provide training on a broad range of topics such as emotional intelligence (EQ) in the workplace, mindfulness at work, conflict resolution, stress management, psychological first aid, harassment and bullying and EQ skills for managers. We can create training packages and train your management to deliver the programs (i.e. Train-the-Trainer).

Mullumbimby Psychology also has experience in recruitment and selection of staff with management potential and in creating development programs to address gaps in knowledge and skills.

Jacki Elphinstone

Jacki has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours 1) degree in Psychology from Latrobe University, Victoria; and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Australian National University, Canberra, ACT in 1988. Jacki is a Full Member of the Australian Psychological Society, registered with the Australian Psychology Board (PSY0001139395) and is a registered WorkCover Health Care Provider (registration number:7971) in NSW. Jacki has over 25 years of experience in counselling and psychological treatment and many years of experience in the corporate sector providing psychological and rehabilitation services to a variety of Organisations, Rehabilitation Providers, Employers and Insurance Companies and acting as a consultant to management and employees of organisations providing psychological assessment, employee assistance counselling, trauma counselling and debriefing, mediation, pre-liability and fitness for work assessments. She has also developed and conducted many workshops in areas such as stress management, communication and interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills.

Michaela Killips

Michaela is a registered psychologist and training consultant. Her career is a blend of 20 years experience incorporating business management, corporate governance, human resources management and working with individuals to improve their mental health.

Michaela was a finalist in the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year Awards in 2006. This was a result of her work as a National Human Resources Manager in a start-up role with 1800 staff across 30 sites. Her work involved the creation and implementation of OH&S, workers’ compensation, recruitment and selection, performance management, training and development and disciplinary systems which she personally rolled out throughout the organisation. Concurrently she co-founded a Children’s Charity supporting orphaned and abandoned children which has helped thousands of children since its inception.

Additionally Michaela has experience in climate surveys, competency and training package development, team building, conflict resolution, executive development, trainee management programs and culture change and organisational change. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector, hospitality and aged care sectors, consulted to government and non-government organisations including fast moving consumer goods.

Michaela is passionate about facilitating adaptive change at both individual and organisational levels. She also provides individual professional coaching, mentoring, debriefing and counselling, utilising a wide range of evidence based therapeutic techniques as the situation requires.

Michaela is known by her clients for her compassionate yet calm and logical approach. She is passionate about living her life in line with her values both professionally and personally and enjoys helping her clients do the same.

Qualifications:
Master of Health Science, Behavioural Science, University of Sydney
Post Graduate Diploma of Management, Macquarie Graduate School of Management
Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of Queensland
Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, TAFE
Further Training, Accreditation and Memberships
Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Professional Registration Association (AHPRA)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
Approved Supervisor with Psychology Board of Australia
Return to Work Coordinator (WorkCover Accredited)

Tracey Gamble

Tracey is a Clinical Psychologist who is experienced in leading service that drive business excellence and support continuous service improvement. Tracey is known for creating practical and creative solutions and is passionate about assisting workplaces to be at their best. She provides executive coaching, debriefing for critical incidents/ trauma, support with staff recruitment, selection and retention, team building, change management, training needs analysis and the development and delivery of training packages and service development initiatives.

Tracey has held Senior management roles in the Victorian Public Health Service, leading both clinical teams and a training/service development unit. As a Training and Service Development Manager she was responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of a professional development and training program and reform initiatives for a workforce of approximately 1300 employees. In consultation roles, she has provided support and coaching to senior staff and leadership groups. A primary function of this support was to facilitate progressive workplace culture aligned with operational standards and best practice principles. She has experience developing and facilitating training needs analysis, individualised training programs, practice development and service development initiatives. She has a particular interest in wellness in the workplace programs, team building and improving culture in line with organisational values.

Qualifications
Master of Clinical Psychology, Deakin University
Bachelor of Science/ Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Deakin University
Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace training, TAFE

Accreditation and Memberships
Registered Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Professional Registration Association (AHPRA)
Full Member Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
Approved Supervisor with the Psychology board of Australia
Registered Medicare provider