PTSD After a Car Accident: FAQ About MVA Therapy in Alberta

Motor vehicle accidents are unexpected but very common. More than 10,000 people in Alberta are injured in traffic collisions each year, as drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about therapy after a car accident.

Do I need to see a psychologist after a car accident?

If a car accident has affected you physically, mentally, or emotionally, it helps to coordinate your care with a team that might include your doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist, massage therapist, and psychologist.

The goal is to build a support team that helps you recover as fully as possible to how you were functioning before the accident.

Car accidents can be traumatic, even when they aren't major or you aren't seriously injured. Afterward, you or the people around you may notice physical injury, pain, shock, stress, and other changes that can raise your risk of psychological distress. You might have strong feelings of blame, shame, guilt, anger, distrust, or loneliness.

Many people notice mental and emotional symptoms, including:

• fear of driving
• anxiety while driving
• nightmares or daymares
• disturbing memories
• flashbacks
• hypervigilance
• intrusive thoughts
• avoiding the scene
• a stronger startle response
• feeling disconnected or zoning out
• forgetting important parts of the accident
• irritability
• sudden mood changes
• insomnia or waking in the night
• loss of interest in usual activities

Maybe your physical injuries aren't healing as quickly as you or your health professionals expected, or there's no clear physical explanation for your pain.

Psychological distress can slow physical healing, and it can also show up as physical symptoms, including:

• rapid or pounding heart
• trouble breathing
• sweating
• headaches
• dizziness
• low energy

Seeing a psychologist after a car accident gives you a chance to check in on your mental wellness, and can support your recovery physically, mentally, and emotionally.

How soon can I get psychological support after a car accident?

The best time to reach out is when you notice symptoms getting in the way of your daily life.

Your family, friends, doctor, or other health professionals might also suggest you talk to someone about what you've been through. Seeing a psychologist doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, just that something bad happened to you.

The psychological effects of a car accident can last for days, months, or years. Some people seek support right after the accident for crisis support and early therapy. Others reach out later for help with new, recurring, or ongoing concerns.

Getting support sooner can lower the risk of longer-term physical, mental, and emotional health issues. It's also easier to access auto insurance coverage for assessment and therapy within the first 90 days, but support is still available later.

How can I cover the cost of therapy after a car accident?

Many people don't realize that auto insurance can help pay for psychological care, in addition to any extended health benefits they have.

Alberta's auto insurance system is changing. For collisions on or after January 1, 2027, the new Care-First system covers treatment through your own insurer, regardless of who was at fault. The rules below apply to collisions before 2027. For more on how coverage works, see our guide to insurance for therapy in Alberta.

For collisions before January 1, 2027:

• Within 90 days: For most minor injuries, auto insurance can cover up to $1,000 of psychological assessment, documentation, and treatment planning, without needing prior approval.
• After 90 days: You usually need to use your extended health benefits for psychology first, if you have them.
• Section B accident benefits: Alberta auto policies include up to $50,000 for medical and rehabilitation care, such as physiotherapy and psychological therapy. This is available after your other benefits are used, for expenses within two years of the accident, and is subject to approval by the insurance adjuster, who may ask for a doctor's referral.

A psychologist can help you:

• understand your rights, and advocate for you as needed with your consent
• complete the authorizations you need to receive care, including the notice of claim and proof of claim forms
• communicate with your insurance company
• complete assessments, develop a treatment plan, and submit a confidential report if your auto insurer requires one
• reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, trauma, and PTSD with approaches such as CBT, EMDR, talk therapy, and somatic therapy

How long will it take to feel like myself again?

Some symptoms last a few days or weeks, while others linger for months or years.

Therapy can improve your chances of getting back to daily functioning and lower the risk of long-lasting distress, but there's no set timeline for recovering from stress and trauma.

Healing is supported by a whole system of care, including health care, medical treatment, psychological services, and social support.

Recovering from a car accident can mean weeks or months of medical appointments. The barriers to recovery are real: the effort, energy, cost, time, and stress of treatment, along with coping with new limitations, isolation, mental health stigma, trauma, and fear.

MVA Therapy in Alberta

If a car accident has left you with lasting effects, reaching out for support can help.

MVA therapy offers a space to process what happened and ease symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, or avoidance. A therapist can help you navigate both the practical and emotional sides of recovery.

You can get back to where you want to be.

This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal, or clinical advice, or a substitute for therapy.

If you or someone you care about is in crisis or at risk of harm, please get help now. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 988 any time for suicide and crisis support. For more options, see our crisis support page.

About the Author

Elizabeth Muia is a Registered Provisional Psychologist who offered EMDR and trauma therapy to adults and teens impacted by motor vehicle accidents and other traumas.