A program providing medium to longer-term individual and or group therapy services.
The Adult Psychiatric Outpatient Program provides medium to longer-term psychotherapy services, delivered remotely and in person, through individual consultations and group therapy with a psychiatrist, psychiatry resident or registered psychologist. Services are offered based on referral only.
The program team is made up of psychiatrists and psychologist, who provide initial assessments and follow-up psychotherapy sessions, and facilitate group therapy for eligible clients. The program does not offer general outpatient psychiatric assessments, case management, or short-term treatment. It is designed specifically for individuals requiring regular mental health support.
Clients can expect:
- An approximately one-hour initial psychiatric or psychological consultation
- Ongoing psychotherapy sessions (typically 30 minutes or longer, based on clinical discretion)
- Virtual process group therapy of about 12 individuals:
- Offered twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings
- Additional session available Tuesday afternoons
- Each group session lasts approximately two hours.
- Team-based care delivered by licensed psychiatrists, psychiatry residents and registered psychologists
Access
Eligibility
Who may be eligible for referral
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Individuals experiencing clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, adjustment difficulties, personality-related difficulties, or trauma-related difficulties that would benefit from psychological treatment.
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Individuals whose symptoms or maladaptive patterns are persistently or sufficiently distressing/impairing to warrant longer-term treatment, but who are sufficiently stable to participate in outpatient psychotherapy.
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Individuals who are able to engage meaningfully in treatment, including reflecting on their experiences, collaborating on treatment goals, and taking steps between sessions to support their well-being.
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Individuals who retain some capacity for insight, self-care, interpersonal functioning, and/or occupational or independent daily functioning despite their psychological difficulties.
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Individuals who are not experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis and whose current level of risk and clinical instability does not require a higher level of care.
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Diagnoses may include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, and trauma-related disorders (including difficulties related to adverse childhood experiences, single-incident trauma, or complex trauma).
Reasons someone may not be eligible
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Acute psychosis or mania requiring stabilization or a higher level of care.
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Acute suicidal or homicidal risk, including imminent risk requiring crisis management or a higher level of care.
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Significant cognitive impairment or developmental difficulties that substantially interfere with the individuals ability to understand, participate in, or benefit from treatment.
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Antisocial personality disorder, especially when associated with significant behavioural instability, risk or difficulty engaging appropriately in treatment.
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Severe personality-related difficulties characterized by frequent crises, significant emotional or behavioural instability, or substantial difficulty establishing or maintaining a therapeutic alliance.
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Active substance use or eating-disorder symptoms that significantly interfere with the individual’s ability to engage in psychological treatment or require a higher level of care.
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Severe difficulties with impulse control that significantly interfere with treatment participation or safety.
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Other acute or untreated psychiatric conditions requiring stabilization or a higher level of care.
Please note the criteria are not strict rules, but give helpful indicators about who may benefit the most from this type of therapy.
Referral
Psychiatrist
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Referrals may be received by a physician or nurse practitioner in an acute and/or community setting.
Psychologist
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Referrals may be received by the community such as from a community organization, and/or through clinicians such as social workers, physicians, and/or nurse practitioners.
Clients cannot self-refer.
To refer, the appropriate referral source will need to complete and fax the referral form.