Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Treatment for people with depression, anxiety and anxiety-related conditions
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Those under 18 may be able to access other services including:
Guided self-help resources: The BounceBack program is available by telephone for youth aged 15-17.
A referral or self-referral can be made to the BounceBack program by completing visiting therapyontario.ca. This referral will be automatically sent to the BounceBack program for consideration.
In Ontario, adults with depression and anxiety-related conditions can access publicly-funded, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related approaches to help manage their conditions. CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy that is problem-focused and goal-oriented and teaches practical strategies and skills.
CBT and related approaches can be accessed through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program for the following conditions:
• depression and low mood
• generalized anxiety and worry
• health anxiety
• obsessive-compulsive concerns
• other anxiety and stress-related problems
• posttraumatic stress
• social anxiety and performance fears
• specific fears
• unexpected panic attacks and agoraphobic fears
What services are available through OSP?
Individuals aged 18+ with depression anxiety-related conditions will have access to different services in the OSP program. The service or services recommended will depend on what’s most appropriate for their needs, with most clients starting with self-administered strategies.
• Guided self-help resources: The BounceBack and Clinician-Assisted Bibliotherapy (CAB)
programs are available by telephone
• Psychotherapy: Individual and/or group CBT sessions are delivered in person or online
• Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT): iCBT is a program delivered online
and guided by a therapist
Am I eligible for OSP?
Please review the eligibility criteria listed on the 2nd page of this document: Summary of Services and Referral Process to learn if this program may be right for you or your clients.
How to access the program:
Psychiatrists, primary care providers (family doctor, nurse practitioner), or other health care professionals, can refer clients. Alternatively, clients may self-refer. In your area, referrals are coordinated by Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, and services are delivered in a wide range of community settings. This includes primary care, community mental health agencies, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous organizations, family services agencies, and the Canadian Mental Health Association for the BounceBack program.
A referral or self-referral can be made by completing the online referral link (above) which will be reviewed by the intake team at Waypoint.
If you have any questions about the referral form, please contact Waypoint by phone at 1-877-341-4729 ext. 2883, by email at [email protected] or by fax at 705-527-0390.
How to send a referral and next steps.
Visit www.therapyontario.ca to get started. You have two options:
* Self-Referral: Select a call back time that works for you, then, fill out our secure and easy online form. You can also ask your family physician or health care provider to complete a referral for you.
* Health Care Provider: After completing the referral, the client will be contacted via email/phone to discuss next steps.
Next steps for clients: After filling out the form, you will receive an email notification with additional forms to complete and an appointment reminder. At the selected time, a staff member will contact you by phone to confidentially discuss your needs and figure out the next step. After your first call you may be directly connected to services or you may be offered a more in-depth mental health assessment to determine your needs. If you need a service our program can’t provide, we will do our best to link you directly to another local service.
What about ongoing monitoring?
Clients are regularly monitored to ensure they are reaching standard program outcomes and that the program continues to meet their ongoing needs. Clients will be transitioned to other services within OSP or provided direction to services outside of OSP as needed. Clients and their primary care providers are informed of the client’s treatment and outcomes.
For more information
For more information regarding services offered and the referral process, please visit therapyontario.ca