Physical health and mental health are intertwined.

Workplace accidents can have devastating consequences not only on the body, but also on the mind, and it is not uncommon for injured workers to feel frustrated and hopeless about their future. While physical injuries are obvious and usually treated promptly, the psychological consequences following a workplace accident can be insidious and last long after the physical injuries have healed. Frustration and hopelessness about their future sometimes leads injured workers to develop unhealthy habits and an avoidance of certain activities. What started as acute pain may turn into chronic pain, which can then lead to sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. Injured workers may start noticing that this chronic pain is slowly but surely controlling their lives, often negatively affecting their mood and relationships.

 

But there is help. Talking to a psychologist can provide injured workers with the assistance they need to navigate the psychological problems and social barriers that interfere with a successful return to the workforce. Psychologists can help injured workers understand and address the psychological consequences of their workplace accident, which is crucial to a full recovery.

How can Spanish-speaking injured workers receive mental health services from Dr. Montañez?

All injured workers can see an L&I-approved psychologist for mental health support services while they are receiving medical treatment and recovering from their work injury. Injured workers who have a diagnosed mental condition as a result of their work injury are entitled to receive treatment from an L&I-approved mental health provider. However, workers do not need to have an accepted mental condition to receive mental health support services. Dr. Idalia Montañez is an experienced psychologist working with L&I-covered cases and is happy to help injured workers through their recovery. Injured workers do not need authorization to receive mental health support services to help them recover.

 

Workers who are receiving treatment under the Washington State Workers’ Compensation (“L&I”) system can receive mental health support services from Dr. Idalia Montañez at no cost to them.

Why telehealth?

Telehealth counseling is a surprisingly comfortable and convenient way to reach people. By meeting from where they are, workers avoid the hassle and extra time involved in traveling to an office every week.

 

If an injured worker and Dr. Montañez decide to work together, they will meet in Dr. Montañez’s HIPAA-compliant platform.

 

When meeting via telehealth, it is important to be in a quiet, private space with a good internet connection.