The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (OSP) is available to anyone 18+ years with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and anxiety related conditions.

OSP provides access to FREE, short-term, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related services. CBT is a type of psychotherapy that teaches coping skills and techniques to help clients change the way they feel, think and act.

OSP services range from self-directed (with support from a coach or therapist) to weekly, one-on-one or group therapy.

Most individuals who are enrolled in OSP will start out with less clinician involvement. Individuals will be stepped up to higherintensity services if needed.

Once a referral is received, individuals will be booked for an intake appointment to determine if the program meets their needs, and to decide on a starting point. Program participants can move between these services based on need.

If you are unsure if this service is right for you, speak to your healthcare provider or contact us.

Exclusionary Criteria

If any of the statements below apply to you, you may not be eligible for the OSP program. For more information on alternate service open, please click here: ConnexOntario.

• I am currently considering suicide or have attempted to take my own life in the past 6 months
• I have been hospitalized in the last year for a suicide attempt and/or another mental health related reason
• I want to or have plans to harm another person or people
• I am primarily seeking treatment to better manage my self-harming behaviours (cutting, scratching, burning etc.)
• In the past year I have had significant manic or hypomanic symptoms and/or received a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder or I am seeking help from this program for my bipolar symptoms
• In the past year I have experienced psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations) and/or received a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, or I am seeking help from this program for my schizophrenia/related symptoms
• In the past three months I have struggled with alcohol use and/or substance use
• I am seeking help from this program for:  Disordered eating,  OR  Medication management,  OR Borderline personality disorder
• I have moderate to severe impairment of cognitive functioning (I.e. dementia or acquired brain injury); or moderate/severe impairment due to a developmental disability or learning disability

Support will range from self-led tools (with support from a coach) to weekly, one-on-one or group therapy sessions. Treatment is matched to the level of care that best meets your needs, in person or virtually.

These include:

• Self Help resources with Phone Coaching: The BounceBack program provides up to 6 telephone coaching sessions, cognitive behavioural therapy skill-building workbooks and online videos.
• Internet CBT: Mindbeacon and Tranquility are self help services that offer internet-based programing provided online. These CBT modules are provided with support from a clinician through secured chat.
• Clinician Assisted Bibliotherapy: Participants are guided through a CBT self-help workbook. Participants receive weekly, 30-minute telephone sessions with a clinician and are assisted through the content.
• Structured Psychotherapy: Individual and/or group structured CBT sessions are delivered in person or online following OSP approved protocols. These sessions are usually delivered weekly over a specified period.

For more details on these programs click here.

Types of services under OSP

CBT is problem-focused, goal-oriented, and based on a positive therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client. It helps people change patterns of behaviour and thinking that affect the way they feel if they are suffering from:

• Mood Disorders
• Excessive Worry
• Social Anxiety
• Unexpected Panic Attacks
• Health Anxiety
• Specific Fears (heights, vomiting, etc.)
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Obsessive Compulsive Concerns
• Stress and other coping

CBT teaches practical lifelong skills such as:

• Being more aware of the impact your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs have on your emotional and behavioural reactions
• Identifying and changing thinking patterns that may be negative, inaccurate and contribute to your depression or anxiety
• Changing unhelpful behaviours such as avoidance, and using problem solving skills to manage challenging situations.

During your appointment, a Screening and Clinical Intake/Triage assessment will determine whether the program is a good fit for your needs. During this intake it will be discussed which service within OSP is most appropriate to start with.

If you have self-scheduled or have been scheduled for an intake appointment with OSP we ask that you review the information to familiarize yourself with what the program offers and the information collected.

To do so please click here.