LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL – September 18, 2025: WorkCompCollege.com today announced the launch of the Workers’ Compensation Mental Injury Claims Specialist (WCMICS) certification program, the latest addition to its Advanced Training & Education Center (ATEC). This innovative four-module program equips claims professionals and industry stakeholders with the tools, frameworks, and confidence needed to manage one of the fastest-growing challenges in the field – psychological and mental injury claims. These claims differ significantly from traditional physical injury cases, requiring specialized understanding of diagnostic frameworks, psychosocial dynamics, jurisdictional laws, and investigative strategies.
“Mental injury claims are no longer the exception in workers’ compensation – they’re becoming the rule,” said Mark Pew, Provost of WorkCompCollege.com. “From first responder PTSD presumptions to broader workplace mental health issues, the industry must evolve. WCMICS provides the knowledge and empathy required to address these claims effectively, improving functional and financial outcomes for injured workers and the work comp ecosystem.”
The WCMICS certification features four modules taught by leading experts:
- Module 1 – Foundations of Psychological Injuries (Dr. Ronald Heredia): Foundations of psychological injuries, DSM use, psychosocial comorbidities, and the many stakeholders influencing claims.
- Module 2 – Practical Strategies for Investigations & Compensability (Sandy Avina & Angel Guerra-Chagolla): Practical strategies for investigation, jurisdiction-specific compensability thresholds, PTSD presumptions, and the role of IMEs.
- Module 3 – The Biopsychosocial Model in Action (Outlined by Dr. Vicky Sánchez): The biopsychosocial model, integrating biological, psychological, and social dimensions to improve outcomes and reduce long-term disability.
- Module 4 – Psychological Testing & Catastrophic Claims (Dr. Ronald Heredia): Psychological testing, malingering detection, catastrophic claim evaluation, and the ethical distinctions between treatment and forensic evaluation.
Upon completion, participants earn a professional designation signaling their specialized expertise in mental injury claims – an area of increasing importance to employers, insurers, and regulators alike. As with the other certification programs from WorkCompCollege.com, completion demonstrates a graduate’s commitment to being a lifelong learner.
WCMICS is part of the Advanced Training & Education Center (ATEC), which provides subscribers with unlimited access to a growing library of advanced certifications and learning modules for one affordable subscription price. Other ATEC programs include the State Education Program, Mastering Medical Settlements by Ametros. AI Mastery in Work Comp (AIMWC), Technology Essentials, and more than fifty individual courses across eight schools of discipline. ATEC is the perfect solution for those who want to invest in their own professional development.
For more information or to enroll in the WCMICS certification, visit https://workcompcollege.com/advanced-training-education-center-atec/.
About Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC
Based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC is dedicated to advancing the workers’ compensation industry through innovative educational and compliance solutions. The company operates WorkCompCollege.com, the industry’s premier training destination, WorkCompEvent.com, an industry focused event registration site, JudicialSurvey.com, a site facilitating public assessment of judicial and ALJ systems, and WorkersCOMPliance.com, revolutionizing how professionals manage multi-state compliance challenges. Contact: Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC | (855) 706-8473 | admin@workcompcollege.com | https://workcompcollege.com/
