Open wings to guide your journey.
Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services, in partnership with Health Sciences North and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) partners across the Northeast, is developing the NEOSP Indigenous Approach.
Cultural safety is defined by FNIM clients and communities, and this work continues to evolve. We are committed to listening, learning, and co-developing services guided by FNIM teachings and community wisdom.
Artwork by Mariah Meawasige (Serpent River First Nation), created to guide the development of the NEOSP Indigenous Approach.
Artwork by Mariah Meawasige (Serpent River First Nation), created to guide the development of the NEOSP Indigenous Approach.
What is OSP?
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.
Care is offered in-person, by phone or virtually.
You can be referred by: Health-care providers, community agencies Indigenous health and wellness organizations. OSP is free, confidential, and available across Northeastern Ontario
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
What to Expect
When accessing OSP through the Indigenous Approach, you can expect:
- Clinicians who lead with kindness and compassion
- Care informed by Indigenous Cultural
- Safety training
- Support offered through listening without judgment
- Culturally aware approaches centred on your needs
- A gentle, respectful path to healing
- Clinicians who work in partnership with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Carriers
Once a referral is received, Indigenous clients will be booked for an intake appointment to determine if the program meets their needs, and to decide on a starting point.
If you are unsure if this service is right for you, speak to your healthcare provider or contact us for more information.
You choose what feels right for your healing journey.
Get Started Today!
Care is offered in-person, by phone or virtually.
You can be referred by: Health-care providers, community agencies Indigenous health and wellness organizations. OSP is free, confidential, and available across Northeastern Ontario
Start ReferralIf you are unsure if this service is for you, speak to your health care provider or give us a call.
1-833-49NEOSP (1-833-496-3677)
Why the Loon?
The Loon—
Maang / Mushkegowuk / Mock-kog / Aen loyoyaar—represents:
- Strong communication and leadership
- Connection between the physical and spirit world
- The ability to dive deep and rise again
- Reflection, resilience, and balance
The Loon’s teachings help guide the development of this approach as we work toward pathways grounded in Indigenous values and community voices.
Land Acknowledgement
The NEOSP program acknowledges the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Métis Peoples and recognize the presence of Inuit in our region. We honour the ongoing impacts of colonization and commit to walking together in respect, partnership, and cultural safety.
Part of the Northeastern Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program through Health Sciences North.
The expansion of OSP will help to close critical gaps in services, providing care closer to home that previously was not available to patients. HSN has partnered with agencies across the region to increase access to this program and is committed to expanding access to structured psychotherapy across Northeastern Ontario.
This will include working with Indigenous partners as well as priority populations to ensure that we address the specific health concerns and health equity gaps effecting their every day lives.