Breaking Barriers: How Back2Work Is Changing Lives Through Employment Focused Psychology

For many Australians, returning to work or sustaining employment after long term unemployment, injury, disability or mental health challenges can feel near impossible. We at Back2Work are working on changing that story every day. By blending clinical expertise, evidence–based approaches and personalised support, our employment focused psychology, physical and social work services help people overcome barriers, build confidence and stay employed. 

With more than 200,000 psychological and physical interventions delivered to date, Back2Work is transforming lives across Australia — one person at a time.  

 Understanding the Challenge: Why Work Can Be Difficult After Setback 

 For many participants, barriers to employment are not just about skills or resumes. They are rooted in psychological, physical and social factors that combine in complex ways: 

•  Loss of confidence after job loss 
•  Anxiety or depression linked to unemployment 
•  Trauma from injury or long term sickness 
•  Feeling disconnected from the workforce 
•  Behavioural responses to stress or rejection 

These challenges aren’t visible in a job application or group workshop. They are deeply personal. Behind the statistics are real people like parents trying to rejoin the workforce, people with chronic health conditions, individuals rebuilding after injury or psychological distress. 

At Back2Work, we recognise this complexity and invest in 1:1 psychology, allied health and social work support, tailored to each person’s goals and circumstances.  

What Makes Employment Focused Psychology Different? 

Traditional employment programs focus on resumes and interviews. At Back2Work we go further by combining clinical psychology with practical support to help people overcome internal barriers that stop them from finding or keeping a job. 

Our Employment focused psychology goes beyond “coping” strategies. It targets: 

•  Confidence and self–efficacy 
•  Motivation and readiness for work 
•  Behavioural patterns that sabotage opportunity 
•  Emotional regulation in workplace settings 
•  Coping with stress, anxiety and change 

 When combined with other supports like occupational therapy, this approach builds not just capacity but resilience. 

Clinical and Practical Support Through 1:1 Services 

At the core of Back2Work’s success is its individual support programs. These are delivered by multidisciplinary teams including psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers who specialise in employment outcomes.  

Allied Health & Therapy

 Back2Work’s allied health experts assess practical barriers to employment such as physical capability, daily routine, stamina and workplace demands. They work with participants to: 

•  Identify strengths and areas to build 
•  Recommend functional steps toward work readiness 
•  Support return to work planning 
•  Develop sustainable routines that match job requirements

Together with psychological support, this can help someone who once felt “stuck” begin to see concrete pathways back into the workforce. 

1:1 Clinical Psychology Support 

Psychologists at Back2Work focus on the internal barriers that can feel just as limiting as external ones. Through personalised sessions, participants learn to: 

•  Build confidence in their abilities 
•  Reframe negative self talk 
•  Recognise stress triggers and coping strategies 
•  Strengthen emotional regulation under pressure 
•  Set and achieve goals that matter 

This therapeutic foundation is often what turns short term job search efforts into lasting employment outcomes. 

Social Work Support That Connects the Dots 

Social workers collaborate with psychologists and occupational therapists to ensure participants have access to wrap around services  whether it’s community support, housing stability, transport coordination or social inclusion strategies. 

This holistic support recognises work isn’t just a task but it’s part of a life lived well. 

Why This Approach Works? 

Back2Work’s model works because it is: 

1.  Person–Centred – Support isn’t generic or one size fits all. Each plan is tailored to individual strengths, challenges and goals. 
2.  Evidence–Driven –  Outcomes like improved work readiness and sustained employment are measured and analysed — not assumed. 
3.  Clinically Informed – By involving psychologists, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals from the start, participants receive both emotional and practical support. 
4.  Holistic –  Emotional wellbeing, physical capability, daily living skills and social confidence are all part of employment success. 
5.  Flexible and Accessible – Back2Work delivers support face–to–face, online and in group or individual formats  removing barriers like distance, mobility or scheduling. 

What Participants Say: Confidence, Opportunity, Growth 

A common thread among participants is not just finding work  but feeling ready for it. 

Participants describe: 

•  Increased selfbelief 
•  Better handling of job stress 
•  Improved communication skills 
•  Greater resilience to setbacks 
•  A renewed sense of purpose and future focus 

 These outcomes build emotional connection and trust — the kind that fuels long–term involvement in work and community. 

 Breaking barriers to employment isn’t only about finding a job. It’s about rewiring confidence, reshaping perspectives and rebuilding connection to purpose, identity and community. Back2Work’s employment–focused psychology, allied health services and social work services do more than support people to work. We help people to live well, thrive and stay resilient when work becomes a reality.