Specialist Mental
Health & Rehabilitation Services
Supporting recovery, functional improvement, and sustainable participation in work and life.
Coastal Sands Counselling & Rehabilitation Services is a specialist mental health and rehabilitation practice providing evidence-based psychological and psychosocial support for adults navigating workplace injury, catastrophic injury, neurological conditions, and complex life disruption.
Our work is grounded in rehabilitation principles, early intervention, and clarity. We focus on reducing the risk of secondary psychological injury and supporting people to regain confidence, function, and meaningful engagement in work, relationships, and daily life.
Overview
Founded by Colm Sands, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Coastal Sands Counselling & Rehabilitation Services operates at the intersection of mental health, rehabilitation, and complex systems.
The practice specialises in supporting individuals whose recovery is complicated by injury, illness, workplace pressures, medico-legal processes, or prolonged uncertainty. We work with both individuals and stakeholders to ensure psychological care aligns with functional recovery, return-to-work planning, and long-term sustainability.
Services are delivered via secure telehealth across Queensland and Australia, with in-person appointments available on the Sunshine Coast.
Our
Approach
Our approach is rehabilitation-informed and biopsychosocial.
We recognise that recovery is shaped not only by injury or symptoms, but by the systems, environments, and expectations surrounding a person.
We work collaboratively to:
- Support early intervention and timely care.
- Reduce the risk of secondary psychological injury.
- Address identity disruption, loss of role, and confidence.
- Align psychological treatment with functional and vocational goals.
- Provide clear, practical communication to referrers and insurers.
Our work prioritises clarity, containment, and progress rather than over-pathologising distress.
Areas of Clinical Expertise
Workplace & Catastrophic Injury
We specialise in supporting individuals and families impacted by significant injury and life-altering events, including:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PPCS)
Neurological and spinal injury
Complex orthopaedic injury
Adjustment to injury and illness
Our work addresses the psychological, emotional, behavioural, and social impacts of injury, particularly where recovery is complicated by workplace pressures, family strain, chronic pain, or prolonged claims processes.
Adjustment to Injury Counselling (ATIC)
We provide Adjustment to Injury Counselling within statutory and private insurance frameworks, supporting individuals to make sense of injury-related change, manage distress, and rebuild function while navigating return-to-work and rehabilitation pathways.
Workplace, Employer
& Scheme-Based Services
We work extensively within statutory, employer, and insurer-based frameworks, understanding the clinical, administrative, and reporting requirements involved.
For Insurers & Injury Management Teams
- Clear, timely communication
- Rehabilitation-aligned psychological intervention
- Practical recommendations
- Risk reduction and prevention of secondary psychological injury
- Alignment with sustainable return-to-work outcomes
For Employers
We provide early intervention and EAP-style psychological services to support:
- Psychosocial risk identification
- Prevention of escalation into complex claims
- Employee wellbeing during injury, illness, or high-stress periods
First Responders & Veterans
We have experience supporting first responders and veterans, recognising the unique occupational, cultural, and psychological factors associated with these roles.
Interventions are evidence-based and tailored, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy, and solution-focused approaches.
General Mental Health Support
Complementary to our rehabilitation services, we provide psychological support for adults experiencing:
- Anxiety and depression
- Stress and trauma-related symptoms
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Adjustment challenges (injury-related or otherwise)
A Focus on Men’s Mental Health
While not exclusive to men, Coastal Sands offers a dedicated and direct therapeutic space for men to address stress, trauma, injury, and life transitions.
We recognise the unique barriers many men face in seeking support and provide practical, respectful, and outcome-focused care
Accepted Referrals & Funding
We accept referrals under the following frameworks:
- WorkCover Queensland (Psychological Services & ATIC)
- National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ)
- Private Insurers (Income Protection & CTP)
- Workers’ Compensation Schemes nationally (via Telehealth)
- Medicare (GP Mental Health Treatment Plans)
About Colm Sands
Colm Sands is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with extensive experience across public health, rehabilitation, insurance, and employer-based systems.
His background includes several years working in specialist hospital and community rehabilitation settings, particularly supporting individuals with traumatic brain injury, neurological injury, and complex psychosocial presentations. This experience underpins the practice’s clinical governance and its expertise in injury-related psychological distress, family adjustment, and return-to-work processes.
Referral
Pathways
Referrals are welcomed from individuals, GPs, employers, insurers, injury management teams, rehabilitation providers, and legal professionals.
We work collaboratively with injured workers, families, and stakeholders to support coordinated care and sustainable outcomes.
Colm Sands
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Medicare Provider Number: 1978631T
WorkCover Queensland Provider Number: P0007636706
ABN: 66 344 613 978
