Work-related stress and burnout are among the most common reasons people seek psychological support — and one of the most significant contributors to workplace absenteeism, presenteeism, and long-term health problems in Australia.
Our registered psychologists in Melbourne provide evidence-based treatment for work stress, burnout, and workplace psychological injury across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Work stress occurs when the demands of a job exceed an individual’s capacity to cope, producing psychological, physical, and behavioural consequences. Burnout — defined by the WHO as an occupational phenomenon — is characterised by three dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism or detachment from work, and reduced sense of professional efficacy (World Health Organization, 2019).
Work-related presentations we commonly support include:
Work stress or burnout may be present when you notice:
Emotional:
Physical & cognitive:
Behavioural:
Australian workplace stress costs the economy an estimated $14.8 billion annually in lost productivity and health costs (Safe Work Australia, 2022).
Burnout is not resolved simply by taking a holiday — it is maintained by both workplace factors and individual psychological factors including perfectionism, difficulty delegating, and a tendency to derive self-worth primarily from work performance (Maslach & Leiter, 2016).
Effective treatment addresses both dimensions:
CBT-based approaches targeting burnout-related cognitions and behaviours produce significant improvements in exhaustion, efficacy, and wellbeing (Ahola et al., 2017).
Our psychologists use evidence-based approaches for workplace psychological wellbeing:
Targets the perfectionism, catastrophic thinking, and behavioural patterns (overworking, avoidance) that maintain work stress and burnout. CBT also builds practical skills in assertiveness, limit-setting, and workload management (Ahola et al., 2017).
Addresses the workaholic and perfectionist patterns that drive burnout by helping clients clarify their values, defuse from self-critical thoughts, and take action aligned with what truly matters — not just professional achievement (Bond et al., 2008).
For presentations involving workplace bullying, harassment, critical incidents, or traumatic events at work, trauma-focused CBT or EMDR is indicated to process the specific traumatic experiences driving ongoing distress.
We are WorkCover approved. Treatment for WorkCover psychological injury is structured, goal-oriented, and focused on functional recovery and return to work. We liaise with insurers and treating GPs as required and provide progress reports.
Your psychologist will complete a thorough occupational and psychological assessment before recommending a treatment approach.
Your first appointment includes a detailed assessment of your work situation, psychological presentation, and goals. For WorkCover clients, we also review your claim documentation.
We offer appointments early morning, evening, and Saturday to minimise impact on work. Telehealth is available for those with demanding schedules.
For WorkCover claims, we bill your insurer directly — zero out-of-pocket cost to you.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Is work stress covered under Medicare?
Yes. Work-related anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder are within the scope of Medicare-rebated psychological therapy via a Mental Health Care Plan.
What if my workplace is the problem — can therapy actually help?
Psychological therapy addresses both the external situation (through assertiveness, boundary-setting, and problem-solving skills) and your internal response (through CBT and ACT techniques). You cannot always change your workplace, but you can significantly change how it affects you.
Can you help me with a WorkCover claim?
Yes. We are WorkCover approved. Your insurer pays us directly. We can also assist with documentation and liaise with your treating team. Please advise at the time of booking that you have a WorkCover claim.
I am a high-performing professional. Is it OK to need help?
Burnout is most common in high-performing, conscientious, and committed people. Seeking support is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness. Many of our clients are executives, healthcare workers, first responders, and other high-demand professionals.
You don’t have to keep pushing through. Our team can help you recover, reset, and rebuild.
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Ahola, K., Toppinen-Tanner, S., & Seppänen, J. (2017). Interventions to alleviate burnout symptoms and to support return to work among employees with burnout: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Burnout Research, 4, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.02.001
Bond, F. W., Flaxman, P. E., & Bunce, D. (2008). The influence of psychological flexibility on work redesign: Mediated moderation of a work reorganization intervention. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(3), 645–654. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.3.645
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311
Safe Work Australia. (2022). Work-related psychological health and safety: A systematic approach to meeting your duties. Safe Work Australia. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
World Health Organization. (2019). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International classification of diseases. WHO. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
