Psychological Support After a Motor Vehicle Accident

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A motor vehicle accident can affect more than your physical health.

After a collision, some people experience anxiety, difficulty driving, nightmares, intrusive memories, changes in mood, sleep difficulties, chronic pain, or problems returning to work and everyday activities.

Howard & Associates Psychological Services provides psychological assessment and treatment to help individuals recover following motor vehicle accidents.

Our Motor Vehicle Injury Psychological Recovery Program focuses on helping clients understand their symptoms, restore functioning, and work toward meaningful recovery.

 

How We Can Help

Our psychological services may help individuals experiencing:

• Trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms

• Fear of driving or being a passenger

• Anxiety or panic following an accident

• Depression or changes in mood

• Sleep difficulties and nightmares

• Adjustment to physical injuries

• Psychological effects of chronic pain

• Fear of re-injury

• Difficulty returning to work

• Reduced independence or daily functioning

• Emotional difficulties related to changes in quality of life

 

Psychological Assessment

A psychological assessment can help identify how a motor vehicle accident has affected a person's emotional health and day-to-day functioning.

Depending upon the circumstances, an assessment may examine:

• Pre-accident psychological and functional health

• Current psychological symptoms

• Trauma-related symptoms

• Anxiety and depression

• Pain and its psychological impact

• Sleep

• Driving and passenger anxiety

• Daily activities

• Social and family functioning

• Employment and return-to-work difficulties​

Standardized psychological measures may also be used when clinically appropriate.

Following the assessment, recommendations can be developed to support treatment and recovery.

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Psychological Treatment

Treatment is individualized according to each person's injuries, symptoms and recovery goals.

Treatment may address:

​Trauma & PTSD

Treatment for distressing memories, avoidance, hypervigilance, nightmares, anxiety and other trauma-related symptoms following a collision.

Driving Anxiety

Support for individuals who have become fearful of driving, highways, intersections, certain weather conditions or travelling as a passenger following an accident.

Pain & Injury Adjustment

Psychological strategies can help individuals cope with pain, changes in physical ability, sleep disruption, frustration, fear of re-injury and the emotional consequences of prolonged recovery.

Return to Work & Daily Functioning

Treatment can help address psychological barriers that interfere with returning to employment, family responsibilities, driving and other meaningful activities.

A Recovery-Focused Approach

Our goal is not simply to reduce symptoms.

We work with clients to establish practical and measurable recovery goals.

Depending upon the individual's needs, these may include:

• Returning to driving

• Increasing independence

• Improving sleep

• Reducing trauma symptoms

• Increasing activity

• Developing strategies for managing pain

• Returning to work

• Resuming family and social activities

 

Progress can be monitored throughout treatment using clinical assessment and standardized outcome measures when appropriate.

Alberta Care-First Auto Insurance

Alberta's new Care-First automobile insurance system begins January 1, 2027.

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The new system is designed to help people injured in motor vehicle accidents access medical and rehabilitation treatment with a greater focus on recovery.

Psychological care may be part of an individual's recovery when clinically appropriate.

Howard & Associates Psychological Services is preparing to provide psychological assessment and treatment services under Alberta's Care-First system.

As Alberta and automobile insurers finalize their 2027 processes, requirements for referrals, treatment authorization, billing and coverage will be confirmed.

Our administrative team can help clients determine what information may be required by their automobile insurer.

For Physicians & Health-Care Providers

We welcome referrals from physicians and other health-care professionals for individuals experiencing psychological difficulties following a motor vehicle accident.

Reasons for referral may include:

• Trauma or PTSD symptoms

• Driving anxiety

• Anxiety or panic

• Depression or adjustment difficulties

• Psychological factors affecting pain recovery

• Sleep disturbance

• Functional impairment

• Return-to-work difficulties

• Psychological assessment

• Treatment recommendations

Refer a Patient

[Motor Vehicle Injury Referral Form]

For Automobile Insurers & Case Managers

Howard & Associates Psychological Services welcomes opportunities to work collaboratively with automobile insurers, adjusters and case managers.

Our program is being developed to provide:

• Timely psychological assessment

• Clear treatment recommendations

• Measurable treatment goals

• Evidence-informed psychological treatment

• Functional and return-to-work goals

• Standardized outcome measurement where appropriate

• Progress reporting

• Treatment recommendations and discharge planning

Provider inquiries:
[Contact Howard & Associates]

Already Have an Insurance Claim?

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and are experiencing psychological symptoms, contact our office.

Please have the following information available if possible:

• Date of your accident

• Automobile insurance company

• Claim number

• Adjuster's name and contact information

• Family physician or referring health-care provider

Our administrative team can help determine the next steps and what information may be required before psychological services begin.

Start Your Recovery

Psychological symptoms following a motor vehicle accident can affect driving, work, relationships and everyday life.

Early identification and appropriate treatment can be an important part of recovery.

Contact Howard & Associates Psychological Services to discuss a motor vehicle injury psychological assessment or treatment referral. 

Request an appointment or refer a patient contact Howard and Associates at 780-570-1230 today!