17AP-230

**What Happened:** An injured worker filed for workers' compensation benefits, specifically requesting ongoing psychological counseling that had been recommended by a psychologist. The Industrial Commission of Ohio denied this request, so the worker challenged that decision in court, asking a judge to order the commission to approve the counseling benefits. **What the Court Decided:** The court sided with the Industrial Commission of Ohio and refused to overturn their decision. The court found that the commission did not abuse its authority when it denied the psychological counseling benefits. A key factor was that the counseling was recommended by a psychologist rather than a psychiatrist. The court also noted that the worker had not properly challenged the psychologist's qualifications during the initial administrative process, so this issue could not be raised later in court. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This ruling shows that workers' compensation claims for mental health treatment face strict requirements. Workers should ensure that psychological treatment is recommended by properly qualified medical professionals (like psychiatrists when required) and that all procedural steps are followed correctly during the initial claims process. Issues not raised early in the administrative process may be lost forever, making it crucial to address all concerns upfront.