Welcome to The New Beginnings Clinic

The New Beginnings team primarily provides services to Convention Refugees, Government-Assisted Refugees, Privately-Sponsored Refugees, and Permanent Residents. 

Our Services are available in person or virtually and may include:

• Psychiatry assessment
• Brief counselling
• Case consultation
• Linking to resources
• Health education

One-on-one Information & Orientation Support

We offer one-on-one Information & Orientation sessions to support newcomers with concerns related to settling in Canada. This may include help with finding culturally relevant community resources and support for managing stress related to migration. The team also provides short-term counselling to help clients work toward their goals and navigate challenges.

Clients can access up to six sessions with a social worker, based on their needs.

Psychiatric Consultation

Our psychiatrists meet one-on-one with clients to complete comprehensive psychiatric assessments and provide diagnostic clarification.

These assessments help guide care planning and may include treatment recommendations such as medication review and/or referrals to appropriate supports, including psychotherapy, case management, or other services, as needed. This is a short-term service.

To access Psychiatrist support, please download the form below and complete it with a general practitioner (including, via a walk-in clinic if you do not have a family doctor). 

• Option 1: Physicians must fill out both a New Beginnings Clinic fillable cover sheet as well as the CAMH referral form. Complete the fillable cover sheet first, save it as a file and include it in the attachments section of the CAMH referral form.
• Option 2: Complete the fillable cover sheet, print a copy, print a copy of the CAMH referral form, fill in both the cover sheet and the referral form and fax to 416-979-6815. 

How to Access Other Services

For general inquiries or case consultation requests (for primary care and other service providers), please contact: NewBeginnings.Team@camh.ca or 416 535-8501 ext. 31683  

Workshops

The clinic hosts group Information & Orientation sessions on a variety of topics relevant to the newcomer and refugee population.

For virtual workshops, we will send you a meeting link a few days before your workshop and a reminder the day before your workshop.

If you need to cancel your attendance, please email the New Beginnings team with 72 hours’ notice.

If you have any questions, please contact: NewBeginnings.Team@camh.ca

Coping with Uncertainty

For newcomers, uncertainty can be a major factor of distress when arriving to Canada. Together, we will learn ways to mitigate stress responses during settlement in a new country.

By the end of the workshops, participants will be able to:

• Identify the impact of uncertainty to the mind and body;
• Use progressive relaxation exercises and gratitude practice;
• Use Acceptance & Commitment strategies to increase psychological flexibility;
• Review ways to identify and challenge distortions in our thinking;
• Understand how distress tolerance skills may be helpful.

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Online

Managing Sleep

This webinar will provide practical tips on creating healthy sleep routines, managing stress, and utilizing community support to promote better rest and overall well-being.

By the end of the workshops, participants will be able to:

• Recognize common sleep challenges;
• Use simple, effective techniques to improve sleep quality, including sleep hygiene tips and relaxation exercises;
• Understand how to manage anxiety, nightmares, and insomnia;
• Create a personalized plan for better sleep.

Date: Monday, March 30, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Online