Occupational Therapy Assessments for Psychological Injury and PTSD
Psychological injuries are real injuries. They can be as disabling as physical impairments and are often more difficult to measure because their impact is not always visible.
Whether a person develops PTSD following a traumatic accident or experiences depression arising from workplace harassment, the effects can extend across daily activities, relationships, community participation, and employment.
Interface provides independent occupational therapy assessments for psychological injury presentations ranging from primary psychological injury to secondary psychological conditions arising from physical injury. Our assessments focus on functional impact and are conducted with the same clinical rigour applied to all medico-legal evaluations.
The Role of an OT in Psychological Injury Matters
Occupational therapists do not diagnose psychological conditions. Diagnosis is the role of psychiatrists and psychologists. Our role is to assess how a psychological condition affects a person's ability to function in daily life. This includes their capacity to manage everyday activities, maintain relationships, participate in the community, and engage in work or other structured activities. An occupational therapy assessment answers an important question: What does this condition mean for how the person actually lives? This is a distinct clinical contribution that complements, rather than replaces, psychiatric and psychological evidence.What Does an OT Assess in a Psychological Injury Matter?
Daily Living Activities
We assess how a psychological condition affects a person's ability to manage:- Personal care
- Domestic tasks
- Household administration
- Home maintenance
Social and Community Participation
Assessment includes the impact on:- Relationships
- Social engagement
- Attendance at appointments
- Participation in community activities
Vocational Capacity
We assess a person's ability to:- Return to their previous employment
- Sustain alternative employment
- Participate in structured work or vocational activities
Care and Support Needs
We assess the type and level of support required where psychological symptoms affect safety, independence, or the ability to manage daily responsibilities.Rehabilitation Needs
Assessment may address future psychological treatment, occupational therapy intervention, and other supports that may assist functional recovery.Primary Psychological Injury
Primary psychological injury arises directly from the event being examined, such as a traumatic accident, workplace incident, or prolonged period of bullying or harassment. In these matters, the psychological condition is the primary focus of the functional assessment.Workplace Psychological Injury
Workplace psychological injury may arise from stress, bullying, harassment, occupational trauma, or other workplace experiences. Interface assessors have experience evaluating these presentations, including the interaction between workplace stressors, pre-existing vulnerabilities, and resulting functional limitations.PTSD Following Accidents and Traumatic Events
PTSD may arise following motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, assaults, and other traumatic events. Our assessments examine the functional impact of PTSD across all relevant areas of daily life using validated assessment tools appropriate to the presentation.Institutional Abuse and Complex Trauma
Institutional abuse matters, including historical child sexual abuse and National Redress Scheme matters, often involve complex trauma presentations with significant functional consequences. These assessments require clinical sensitivity and a thorough understanding of how trauma can affect function across multiple domains of life.Secondary Psychological Injury
Secondary psychological injury refers to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder that arise as a consequence of physical injury and its effects. Chronic pain, loss of independence, disruption of employment, and changes in personal relationships can all contribute to psychological distress. Where physical and psychological impairments interact, Interface assessors address both and explain how each contributes to the person's overall functional presentation and support needs.How to Make a Referral
To arrange a psychological injury assessment, please provide:- A referral letter outlining the specific questions to be addressed
- All available medical, psychological, psychiatric, and allied health records
- Any psychological or psychiatric reports already obtained
- Workplace records where relevant
- Any urgency requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an occupational therapy assessment and a psychiatric report?
A psychiatric report focuses on diagnosis, severity, prognosis, and treatment. An occupational therapy assessment focuses on functional impact—how the condition affects the person's ability to manage daily life, relationships, community participation, and employment. The two forms of assessment address different but complementary questions.How does Interface assess functional impact in PTSD and anxiety presentations?
We use validated assessment tools, structured clinical interviews, and clinical observation to assess how symptoms affect daily activities, social participation, vocational capacity, and independence. Findings are documented clearly and supported by transparent clinical reasoning.How does Interface conduct assessments for people who are still symptomatic or distressed?
Assessments are conducted with care, clarity, and sensitivity to the person's presentation. We explain the process, allow breaks where needed, and work at a pace appropriate to the individual. A person's current symptoms and distress form part of the clinical picture and is considered within the assessment.Author
