Supporting your mental health with the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Supporting your mental health with the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
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"The focus is on helping people
develop alternative ways of
thinking and behaving to be able
to cope with various stressors."
Jessica Ariss, manager,
Ontario Structured
Psychotherapy Program |
Taking care of your mental health and well-being has been at the forefront of the pandemic, and it is now more important than ever. For people who are experiencing depression, anxiety or anxiety-related conditions, the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program is here to help.
Coordinated by Waypoint and delivered in a wide range of community settings, the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program provides publicly-funded, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and related approaches to individuals looking for help. CBT is a form of talk therapy that helps people reduce their psychological stress.
"The focus is on helping people develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving to be able to cope with various stressors,” said Jessica Ariss, manager, Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program.
OSP operates on a stepped care model, providing the level of care that best meets an individual’s needs. When someone is referred, a trained professional will complete an assessment and recommend support at the level of service to best address their needs and support their recovery.
Most people who access the program will begin with BounceBack®, a guided self-help program offered through the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Others may begin with individual or group based CBT provided in person or virtually. Through ongoing monitoring, clients may be transitioned between services within OSP, as needed. For example, if a person starts treatment through BounceBack® and they require more intensive support, they may be ‘stepped-up’ to CBT.
"Publicly-funded psychotherapy programs available to anyone who needs them are creating equity and access to a part of the mental health service that really hasn’t been available through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan in the past,” said Heather Bullock, Waypoint vice-president partnerships and chief 
strategy officer. “Structured psychotherapy is one of the most evidence-based paths to recovery from mood and anxiety challenges, which are the most common mental health challenges we experience.”
“While psychotherapy can be hard work, it can also offer the opportunity to not just cope with symptoms, but reduce or eliminate them," she added.
The program began as a pilot project in 2017 at four sites across the province. In 2020, Ontario announced funding for an additional six programs. Each network lead organization works with various delivery sites such as community health centres, family health teams, community mental health agencies, and colleges and universities to deliver the program. This expansion is an important milestone for building a connected, comprehensive mental health and addictions system that ensures Ontarians across the province can access high-quality supports in their community.
People can sign up for this program themselves, or get a referral from a psychiatrist, family doctor or health care provider. For more information and how to access the program, please visit Ontario Structured Psychotherapy.