Motor Vehicle Accident (ICBC) Counselling
Sometimes the hardest part of a car accident isn’t the physical injury.
You might find yourself gripping the steering wheel, avoiding the intersection where it happened, taking the long way around, replaying the accident in your head, sleeping poorly, or feeling on edge every time another vehicle gets too close. You may also be dealing with pain, time away from work, appointments, paperwork, and the frustration of life suddenly looking very different than it did before.
These reactions can happen after an accident, and counselling can help.
My Approach
We’ll start by understanding what has changed for you since the accident and what is getting in the way of your everyday life.
Treatment might involve working directly with driving anxiety or traumatic memories, learning ways to settle your nervous system when it goes into high alert, adjusting to pain or physical limitations, or working through the emotional impact of everything that has happened since the collision.
The goal isn’t to rush you back into situations before you’re ready. We’ll work gradually and practically toward helping you feel safer and more comfortable doing the things you want and need to do again.
Things We Might Work On
Motor vehicle accident counselling can help with:
Anxiety or panic while driving or riding in a vehicle
Avoiding driving, certain roads, intersections, or conditions
Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or feeling constantly on alert
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Sleep difficulties and nightmares
The emotional impact of chronic pain or physical injury
Irritability, frustration, low mood, or feeling overwhelmed
Grief and loss following a serious collision
Changes in work, relationships, independence, or everyday activities
Gradually returning to driving and other activities that have become difficult
ICBC Counselling Coverage
If your accident happened in British Columbia, counselling may be covered through ICBC.
Depending on when your accident occurred and where you are in your recovery, you may be able to begin counselling without a physician’s referral. If further treatment is needed, I can also work with you and ICBC to request additional sessions when appropriate.
Insurance paperwork is probably the last thing you feel like figuring out after an accident. If you’re unsure about your coverage or what you need to get started, reach out and I can help you understand the process.
What to Expect
Our first appointment is really about getting the full picture. We’ll talk about the accident, what has changed since then, what you’re finding most difficult now, and what you would like to be able to do again.
From there, we’ll make a plan together. That might mean getting comfortable behind the wheel again, sleeping through the night, returning to work, managing the emotional impact of pain, or simply getting to a place where the accident isn’t taking up so much space in your life.
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for support. If an accident is still affecting how you feel, drive, sleep, work, or live your everyday life, reach out and we can figure out the next step.