The Psychological Impact of a Motor Vehicle Accident
A car accident can change everything in a moment. Even when the physical injuries heal, the psychological impact often lingers — anxiety behind the wheel, intrusive memories, sleep disturbances, a nervous system that won't settle. What you're experiencing is real, and it deserves real support.
At Believe Therapy & Coaching, we provide trauma-informed psychotherapy for people navigating the emotional and psychological aftermath of motor vehicle accidents. And because we know the last thing you need right now is more stress — we bill your auto insurance directly.
What MVA Survivors Often Experience
- Flashbacks or intrusive images of the accident
- Nightmares or disrupted sleep
- Anxiety or panic when driving, riding in a car, or at intersections
- Emotional numbness or disconnection
- Hypervigilance — feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
- Irritability, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating
- Avoidance of roads, vehicles, or places associated with the accident
- Physical symptoms like tension headaches, nausea, or body pain that continues beyond physical injury
- Grief over what you've lost — including your sense of safety
How We Help
We use evidence-based approaches specifically suited to trauma and MVA recovery:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) — a highly effective trauma therapy that helps your brain process stuck memories so they lose their emotional charge
- Trauma-Focused CBT — working with the thought patterns and avoidance behaviours that maintain PTSD symptoms
- Somatic and nervous system approaches — helping your body complete the stress response it couldn't finish during the accident
- Gradual exposure support — at your pace, building back confidence around driving and travel
Coverage and Insurance
MVA therapy sessions may be covered through your auto insurance policy, extended health benefits, or both. In Ontario, if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to psychotherapy through the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
We provide detailed receipts and clinical documentation to support your insurance claim. Contact us to discuss your specific coverage situation before your first appointment.
In-Person and Virtual Sessions
We offer sessions at our Westboro, Ottawa office and secure virtual sessions across Ontario. For clients with significant driving anxiety, virtual sessions offer a way to begin treatment without the barrier of getting to an in-person location.