How CTP psychology works
You do not need to understand the insurance system before asking for help. Start with what has changed since the accident, and we will explain the appointment process.
1. Start with a conversation
Call our intake team and let us know that your enquiry relates to a motor vehicle accident. You may be seeking support for yourself, helping a family member or making a professional referral. Tell us what you would like help with and where you would prefer to attend.
It is fine to be unsure which psychologist to choose. Rather than asking you to select a therapy model, we discuss practical needs such as the client's age, preferred language, location, access requirements and the concerns affecting everyday life.
2. Clarify the appointment and funding arrangements
Have your claim number, insurer contact and any approval documents available if you already have them. We will explain what else is needed before an appointment can be arranged. You do not have to provide a detailed account of the accident during the initial administrative call.
A claim number and approval for a course of treatment are different things. Our team checks the arrangements for the appointment being requested. If funding is uncertain, we explain the options rather than assume the insurer will pay.
3. Meet your psychologist
The first appointment is an opportunity to discuss your concerns and what you would like to be different. Your psychologist may ask about symptoms, current routines, work or study, physical recovery, past care and the support around you. They will explain confidentiality and the role of any claim-related communication.
You can ask why information is needed, say when something is difficult to talk about and discuss how to approach the session. Please bring questions as well as paperwork. Assessment is about understanding your situation, not expecting you to arrive with a diagnosis.
4. Agree on a plan and review it
We want the plan to relate to your own life. A goal might concern travelling to appointments, improving a disrupted routine, managing distressing reminders or coping with changed responsibilities. The psychologist discusses suitable approaches, what sessions involve and how progress will be reviewed.
Where required, treatment is requested from the insurer using the relevant clinical information. An Allied Health Treatment Request, or AHTR, can describe goals and proposed care. Clinical recommendations do not themselves guarantee insurer approval.
As treatment progresses, you and your psychologist can review what is changing and whether the plan needs adjustment. We do not promise a fixed recovery timeline or a predetermined number of sessions.
What to have ready
- Your claim or insurer reference number, if available.
- Insurer and case manager contact details, plus any written treatment approval.
- Any GP referral or relevant information your treating team has provided.
- Your preferred location or telehealth option, and any access needs.
- Questions about fees, consent, confidentiality or what to expect.
Please call to arrange an appropriate way to share clinical documents. Do not place sensitive health or claim information into a general website enquiry.
SIRA: allied health services in the NSW CTP schemes · SIRA: Allied Health Treatment Request
This is general information, not an individual diagnosis, funding determination or legal advice. About the information on this website.
Start with a conversation.
Tell us what has changed since the accident. We can talk through the appointment options and what to arrange next.
