The PREM Program

Practical Recovery and Engagement Method

A structured 6-week Occupational Therapy program supporting injured workers with psychological claims that have stalled in recovery.

What Makes PREM Different?

Occupational Therapy Focuses on Doing

PREM doesn't replace psychological treatment, medical care or workplace rehabilitation.

It is designed to complement the existing treatment team.

Participants are supported to take therapeutic concepts and self-management strategies and put them into practice within everyday life.

This may include applying principles informed by approaches such as ACT, CBT and DBT within meaningful activities, routines and real-world situations.

The focus remains on function, participation and capacity building.

From Understanding Recovery to Living It

Psychological therapies can provide important insight, therapeutic support and strategies.

Occupational Therapy brings a different but complementary focus:

What happens when the person goes home and needs to actually live their day?

PREM focuses on practical application. Rather than only talking about recovery, participants are supported to apply strategies within everyday routines, activities and real-world situations.

The aim is to help participants move from:

Knowing → Doing → Building Capacity

Who Is PREM For?

PREM has been developed for injured workers with psychological or complex secondary claims where recovery has stalled.

A referral may be worth considering when an injured worker is experiencing:

Limited progress despite receiving treatment
Ongoing disruption to everyday routines and activities
Reduced confidence in managing their recovery
Difficulty translating therapeutic strategies into daily life
Reduced functional capacity or participation
Difficulty progressing towards return to work
Multiple treatment providers with a need for greater functional integration
A recovery trajectory that appears to have plateaued

Our Solution

A Structured 6-Week Recovery Program

PREM combines individual Occupational Therapy support with structured group-based rehabilitation.

The Participant Journey

1. Identify

A stalled psychological claim or recovery trajectory is identified.

2. Refer

A referral is received from the insurer, employer, rehabilitation provider, doctor or appropriate treating professional.

3. Intake

The participant completes an individual Occupational Therapy assessment to determine suitability, understand current functional capacity and establish individual goals.

4. PREM Program

The participant begins the structured 6-week Occupational Therapy program.

5. Mid-Point Review

Progress, participation and functional changes are reviewed during the program.

6. Final Review & Evaluation

Progress and functional changes are evaluated against the participant's individual baseline and goals.

7. Handover & Recommendations

Relevant recommendations are provided to support the participant's next stage of recovery and return-to-work planning.

A Collaborative Approach

PREM is designed to work alongside, not replace, the participant's existing treatment and rehabilitation team.

Where appropriate and with the necessary consent, communication may involve relevant stakeholders such as:

Treating GP
Psychologist or other treating clinicians
Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant
Occupational Physician
Insurer or Case Manager
Employer / Return-to-Work Coordinator

The aim is to support greater alignment between clinical treatment, everyday functional recovery and return-to-work planning.

Program Format

Duration: 6 weeks

Frequency: Twice weekly

Delivery: Online or in-person at our Mount Lawley Clinic

Graded Structure: Sessions progressively increase from approximately 1 hour to up to 3 hours as participants build functional endurance.

The Program Includes

Individual 1:1 Occupational Therapy intake assessment
Structured group sessions
Practical recovery activities
Participant workbook
Mid-point review
Final review and evaluation
Handover and recommendations

Participants also work towards practical resources to support ongoing recovery, including:

Individual Functional Self-Management Plan
Graded Activity & Community Progression Plan
Relapse Prevention & Flare-Up Protocol

For Insurers, Employers & Rehabilitation Consultants

For GPs & Treating Health Professionals

Complementing Existing Therapy

PREM can provide an additional functional layer of support when a patient's recovery appears to have plateaued.

Rather than duplicating psychological treatment, Occupational Therapy helps participants apply what they are learning within everyday activities and routines.

This may help clinicians better understand how the participant is functioning outside the consulting room and what practical barriers continue to affect recovery.

When a Claim Has Stalled, PREM Focuses on Function

For insurers and rehabilitation professionals, prolonged psychological claims can become increasingly complex when clinical treatment isn't translating into improvements in everyday function.

PREM provides a structured Occupational Therapy intervention focused on:

Functional restoration
Building self-management capacity
Increasing participation
Establishing sustainable routines
Supporting graded progression
Building return-to-work readiness
Providing structured functional information to relevant stakeholders

The program provides a practical bridge between clinical treatment and everyday functional capacity.

For Injured Workers

Rebuilding Life, Routine & Purpose

Being away from work or struggling with a psychological injury can affect much more than your job.

It can affect your routine, your confidence, your relationships, your energy, your sense of identity and the things that make life feel meaningful.

PREM gives you a supportive environment to practise recovery strategies, gradually rebuild your capacity and work towards participating more fully in everyday life.

You won't be expected to progress at somebody else's pace.

Your starting point, goals and current capacity help guide the process.

Program Funding

PREM may be funded through relevant Workers' Compensation arrangements, subject to approval.

Program costs include group intervention, individual Occupational Therapy input, evaluation and reporting.

Please contact Lifeworks Occupational Therapy to discuss program costs and request a quote.

For GPs & Treating Professionals

PREM can provide an additional functional layer of support when a patient's recovery appears to have plateaued.

Rather than duplicating psychological treatment, Occupational Therapy helps participants apply what they are learning within everyday activities and routines.

This may help clinicians better understand how the participant is functioning outside the consulting room and what practical barriers continue to affect recovery.

Online & In-Person Options

PREM is available in two formats:

In-Person

Available at our Mount Lawley Clinic for participants within the Perth metropolitan area.

Online

Providing access for participants who may live regionally or where attending in person isn't practical.

Refer to the PREM Program

For Insurers, Employers & Rehabilitation Consultants

If you're managing an injured worker whose psychological recovery has stalled, contact Lifeworks Occupational Therapy to discuss whether PREM may be appropriate.

For Injured Workers

If you think PREM may support your recovery, speak with your GP, Rehabilitation Consultant or Case Manager about whether a referral may be appropriate.

Take the First Step

If you would like to discuss whether the PREM Program may be appropriate for an injured worker, contact Lifeworks Occupational Therapy.

Our team can provide further information about the program, suitability and referral process.

REFER TO PREM

Healthcare Provider Referrals

Email: referrals@lifeworksot.com.au

Phone: (08) 6186 5458

Online: Referral Form

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