Frequently Asked Questions
For Injured Workers
Why might I need psychological care after a workplace injury?
A workplace injury can affect more than your physical health. An accident, serious injury, chronic pain, loss of function, or a difficult recovery can sometimes lead to anxiety, fear, sleep problems, panic, traumatic stress, or PTSD. Psychological treatment can address these symptoms as part of your overall recovery and help you regain a greater sense of safety, confidence, and control.
What types of conditions does Dr. Murrell treat?
Dr. Michael Murrell specializes in PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and panic disorders. His practice now has a particular focus on helping injured workers experiencing psychological symptoms related to a workplace injury, accident, or recovery.
Can psychological trauma affect my physical recovery?
Physical and psychological recovery can influence one another. Anxiety, traumatic stress, sleep difficulties, fear of reinjury, and other psychological symptoms may make it more difficult for some injured workers to participate fully in rehabilitation, daily activities, or a return-to-work plan. Addressing psychological symptoms can therefore be an important part of a coordinated recovery process.
What are signs that a workplace injury may have caused psychological trauma?
Symptoms can vary, but may include recurring memories of the accident, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, panic, irritability, avoiding situations associated with the injury, feeling constantly on alert, difficulty concentrating, or fear about returning to work. Not everyone who experiences these symptoms has PTSD. A psychological assessment can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and what type of treatment may be appropriate.
What is EMDR, and can it help with workplace trauma?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach used in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. It is designed to help individuals process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional impact associated with traumatic memories. Dr. Murrell is an EMDR-certified therapist and may incorporate EMDR when clinically appropriate for an injured worker's individual needs.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Murrell?
Workers’ compensation cases are often coordinated through a nurse case manager, healthcare provider, claims professional, or other authorized party. If you have been referred to Dr. Murrell, his practice can help you understand the next steps in the process. If you are unsure whether his services are appropriate for your situation, your case manager or treating healthcare provider can contact the practice.
Are appointments available by telepsychology?
Yes. Dr. Murrell provides care through secure telepsychology, allowing eligible patients to receive psychological services remotely where permitted. Telepsychology can be particularly helpful for injured workers who may have mobility limitations, transportation challenges, pain, or difficulty traveling to additional medical appointments.
Will Dr. Murrell communicate with my workers’ compensation care team?
When appropriate and properly authorized, Dr. Murrell works collaboratively with the professionals involved in an injured worker's care. Clear communication can help case managers and healthcare providers understand treatment progress and support better coordination across the recovery process.
For Case Managers, Healthcare Providers & Workers’ Compensation Professionals
What types of injured workers can be referred to Dr. Murrell?
Dr. Murrell specializes in PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and panic disorders. Referrals may be appropriate when psychological symptoms emerge following a workplace accident or injury or when trauma-related symptoms may be affecting an injured worker's recovery. Each patient is evaluated individually to determine the appropriate course of care.
When should a case manager consider a psychological referral?
A referral may be worth considering when an injured worker is experiencing persistent anxiety, traumatic stress, panic, sleep disturbance, avoidance, fear related to the accident or reinjury, or other psychological symptoms that appear to be interfering with recovery. Case managers may also contact Dr. Murrell to discuss whether his clinical expertise may be appropriate for a particular patient or situation.
Does Dr. Murrell accept workers’ compensation referrals?
Yes. Murrell Psychological Service works with workers’ compensation professionals and healthcare providers seeking specialized psychological care for injured workers experiencing PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and related conditions.
Can a case manager speak with Dr. Murrell before making a referral?
Yes. Case managers and healthcare professionals may contact the practice regarding potential referrals, availability, telepsychology, documentation requirements, communication processes, and whether Dr. Murrell's clinical expertise may be appropriate for a particular case.
Does Dr. Murrell work with complex cases?
Case managers and healthcare professionals may contact Dr. Murrell regarding current or complex cases in which PTSD, trauma, anxiety, panic, or other psychological factors may be affecting an injured worker's recovery. A conversation can help determine whether his area of expertise is appropriate for the patient's clinical needs.
How does Dr. Murrell communicate with case managers and referring providers?
Dr. Murrell recognizes that communication and coordination are important in workers’ compensation care. When appropriate authorization is in place, he works to provide responsive professional communication and relevant documentation while maintaining patient confidentiality and applicable professional standards.
Can an organization establish an ongoing referral relationship with Dr. Murrell?
Yes. Dr. Murrell welcomes conversations with case management organizations, healthcare providers, workers’ compensation professionals, and other organizations interested in establishing him as a psychological referral resource for injured workers. Organizations may contact the practice to discuss referral arrangements, provider relationships, service areas, contracting, credentialing, and ongoing needs.
What makes Dr. Murrell's practice particularly suited to workplace PTSD and trauma cases?
Dr. Murrell brings more than four decades of experience as a psychologist with specialized expertise in PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and panic disorders. He is also an EMDR-certified therapist. His workers’ compensation practice combines this clinical specialization with telepsychology, professional communication, and coordination with the healthcare and case management professionals supporting an injured worker's recovery.
How do I refer an injured worker to Dr. Murrell?
Case managers, healthcare providers, and other workers’ compensation professionals can contact Murrell Psychological Service to discuss a potential referral, patient needs, availability, telepsychology services, and next steps. The goal is to make the referral and care coordination process as clear and efficient as possible for both the injured worker and the professionals supporting their recovery.