Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Adults in Ontario who have depression, anxiety and anxiety-related conditions can access publicly funded, short-term, evidence-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (OSP).
OSP services include self-led resources supported by a coach or clinician, or face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy sessions. CBT treatment at CAMH is provided in-person or virtually. We match services to the level of care that best meets a person’s needs.
Who is this program intended for?
Adults (18 years of age or older) who are experiencing mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related problems including:
- Depression and low mood
- Generalized anxiety and worry
- Social anxiety and performance fears
- Unexpected panic attacks and agoraphobic fears
- Health anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive concerns
- Posttraumatic stress
- Specific fears
What service are available?
Adults age 18+ with depression or anxiety-related conditions can access different services through the OSP at CAMH. Together with patients, clinicians determine what services best meet the patient’s needs. Services range from clinician-guided self-help options to individual or group therapy CBT sessions online or in person.
Am I eligible for OSP?
Not everyone who is referred to OSP will be eligible for the program. Some people may have needs that are too complex to be treated within the program, while others may have concerns that are out of scope. In this case, we may suggest other services to meet a person’s needs. You can find the detailed eligibility criteria for OSP here.
What are the expectations for participating in OSP?
The strategies taught in our program require some commitment. This includes:
- completing short questionnaires;
- keeping track of your anxiety or depression-related thoughts and behaviours;
- reading about strategies;
- meeting a coach or therapist; and
- practicing strategies for managing anxiety and depression (typically several hours each week).
How to refer to the OSP Program?
We welcome referrals from physicians and other mental health care providers. Patients must have a Primary Care Provider to participate in this program. Referrals can be submitted electronically through Access CAMH CAMH Referral Form | CAMH. Please indicate that the request is for “CBT” or “OSP” on the referral form.
What happens after a referral is submitted?
Once a referral is submitted, Access CAMH, our centralized intake team, will contact the patient with information about next steps. If they are eligible for the program, patients can expect to meet with clinicians to discuss services that best meet their needs. We use questionnaires to inform treatment and monitor people’s progress throughout treatment. The patient and referring care provider will be notified about next steps. If the patient is not eligible for the program, we will share recommendations for alternative treatment options to the patient and referring care provider.
For More Information About:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy please visit https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/cognitive-behavioural-therapy
- Data and privacy please review the Data and Confidentiality FAQ.
Youth (age 15-17)
The BounceBack team works with youth (15-17 years of age). For information on how to refer, please visit: https://bouncebackontario.ca/what-is-bounceback-youth/
Questions? Email us at osp.info@camh.ca