ABOUT

Mental Health Impact on RTW | Accelerated Outcomes from a 4-Day Trauma Therapy Program.

PTSD, complex PTSD and adjustment disorder can significantly affect a person’s capacity to engage in work and participate in return-to-work initiatives. Rehabilitation Consultants and other supporting parties play an important role in understanding these presentations and applying practical, evidence-informed strategies that support clients and workers to achieve safe, durable and timely return-to-work and life outcomes. Improved awareness and understanding of treatment interventions, efficacy and accessibility can help support better outcomes and care for client and workers.

Mental health claims are rapidly becoming more common in compensable schemes with concurrent increases in claim duration and costs. Certain conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD and adjustment disorder are notoriously complex and difficult to treat. Waiting lists to access treatment are long, plus longer treatment durations and time off work does not lead to better outcomes. A new model of mental health treatment is needed to more efficiently rehabilitate mental health claimants.

The Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre (ITTC) piloted an innovative 4-day intensive trauma program designed to overcome these barriers. The model integrates Prolonged Imaginal Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR 2.0), delivered through 16 alternating 90-minute sessions over four consecutive days. This immersive approach aims to reduce avoidance, accelerate desensitisation, and promote rapid symptom relief. The model is believed seamlessly fit within a rehabilitation model whereby rapid recovery enables swift handover to rehabilitation consultants who can then facilitate functional goal attainment. 

This presentation will outline the rationale, structure, and early outcomes of the ITTC program, drawing comparisons with international evidence. Delegates will gain a better understanding of how PTSD, C-PTSD and Adjustment Disorders impact a worker’s capability to engage in RTW initiatives, receive key insights and considerations; and will learn how intensive trauma therapy can improve access, reduce waitlists, and offer timely, effective care for trauma-affected populations.

PRESENTED BY

Dr Grant Blake (Clinical Psychologist)
Grant is the Clinical Director and co-founder of the Intensive Trauma Treatment Centre (ITTC). He regularly provides trauma focused therapy services to people with severe and complex PTSD, including individuals with histories of criminal offending. Dr Blake regularly provides independent expert witness reports for a variety of complex forensic mental health matters, including personal injury claims with suspected malingering.

ACCESS TO THE EVENT

• All ARPA members are reminded to login before registering to receive discounted pricing.

• Registration closes 5.00pm Monday 24th August AEST

• Please check the date and your local time prior to registering as refunds are not provided - change of registrant can be requested.

• This event is catered, please send any dietaries to careers@arpa.org.au

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