OSP offers free, short-term evidence-based, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to Ontarians aged 18 or older who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and anxiety related concerns. Clients do not have to have a formal diagnosis to be referred to the program.

If a client is enrolled in the program, they will be triaged to one of three formats of care:

• Self-led CBT with support from a trained coach or therapist (available virtually or by phone);
• Group CBT (available virtually);
• Individual CBT (available virtually or in-person).

Most people start with our self-led, coach- or therapist-supported format. 

When your client gets treatment at OSP West, they'll take an active part in their care, including:

Eligibility criteria:

Clients must be:

• 18 years or older;
• Living in Ontario (does not have to be a Canadian citizen);
• Seeking treatment for a primary problem from the list below:
  • Anxiety, stress, or worry;
  • Feeling down or hopeless;
  • Panic attacks;
  • Traumatic memories, flashbacks, and nightmares;
  • Social anxiety;
  • Fears and phobias;
  • Obsessive thoughts or behaviours;
• Can commit to 12-16 consecutive weeks of treatment;
• Is willing to regularly fill out surveys to monitor their progress through treatment;
• Is willing to practice strategies to manage symptoms between sessions;
• Is open to trying different formats of CBT, including a self-led approach with support from a coach or therapist. One-to-one therapy is not guaranteed. 

Exclusionary criteria:

OSP will not meet the needs of everyone. It is not suitable for individuals who:

• Are currently, or within the past three months, experiencing problematic substance use or requires specialized concurrent disorders treatment;
• Are actively suicidal, and/or has attempted suicide in the past six months;
• Are currently self-harming, which is the immediate, primary concern;
• Have experienced symptoms of mania/hypomania within the last year (and not due to medication or substance use);
• Have experienced symptoms related to psychosis currently or within the past year (and not due to medication or substance use);
• Have been diagnosed with a personality disorder which is currently causing the most distress/impairment;
• Have a severe eating disorder or is experiencing distress/impairment related to an eating behaviour; 
• Are seeking medication management only;
• Have a significant cognitive impairment (i.e. dementia, acquired brain injury) or a developmental/learning disability that would impact their ability to participate in psychotherapy (i.e. unable to attend scheduled sessions or complete homework between sessions).

Why?

Our clinicians are trained in CBT for depression and anxiety only. The above concerns require more specialized care than we can provide. 

Refer now:

Ocean E-Referral Fillable PDF Printable PDF

After you refer:

4-6 weeks after submission of referral, we will initiate a:

1. Screening call: We will call your patient to gather more information and determine if OSP may be right for them. 
2. Questionnaire package: If, after the screening call, we think OSP could meet your patient's needs, we will send them some questionnaires to fill out about their symptoms. These surveys must be done before the patient's scheduled assessment appointment.
3. Assessment appointment: The assessment helps us determine if OSP is the best fit for your patient's needs. If OSP will not meet your patient's needs, we will do our best to recommend other resources that may be helpful to them.

Referral status update intervals:

Available efficacy data on our program:

NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) 

OSP is based on NHS Talking Therapies, a UK program established in 2008. Current data shows that ~50% of patients treated recover, and ~65% of patients treated show “worthwhile benefits”.

BounceBack

BounceBack is one of four of OSP West's self-led clinician-supported formats of CBT. Data shows ~68% recovery rate and ~61% reliable improvement rate. A medium- to large-effect size is noted for a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression (measured by GAD-7 and PHQ-9 respectively).

iCBT for Depression​​

In OSP West's iCBT for Depression program, another self-led, clinician-supported CBT format, data shows that ~66% participants experienced a clinically significant improvement, and ~48% experienced 50%+ reduction in symptoms.​ There is a large within-group effect size with results maintained for clients who had severe scores at beginning of treatment.​

iCBT for Anxiety​

In OSP West's iCBT for Anxiety program, another self-led, clinician-supported CBT format, data suggests that this format of CBT that we offer has medium- to large-effect sizes.​ In clients with panic disorder, data suggests ~80% of clients reported improvement. In clients with GAD, ~63% of patients with reported clinically significant improvement, and ~45% experienced a 50%+ reduction in symptoms. At final assessment, ~60% of clients were not reporting clinically significant scores on GAD-7.

Sources:

• Andrews, G., et al. (2018). Computer therapy for anxiety and depression disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: An updated meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 55, 70-78. ​
• Clark, DM. (2018). Realising the Mass Public Benefit of Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies: The IAPT Program. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 14:159-183.​
• Farvolden, P., Gentile, A., & Kam, V. (2020). Therapist-Assisted iCBT by BEACON® is Effective in Treating More Severe Symptoms of Depression in a Real-World Implementation. Beacon Modern Mind Health​. ​
• Farvolden, P., Gentile, A., Landy, M.S.H., & Kam, V. (2020). Real world evidence for the effectiveness of therapist assisted iCBT for panic disorder. Beacon Modern Mind Health.​​​
• Farvolden, P., Gentile, A., & Kam, V. (2020). Beyond mile to moderate symptoms: Therapist-assisted iCBT by BEACON is effective for more severe symptoms of generalized anxiety. Beacon Modern Mind Health.​​​​
• Schumann, L., Park, K., Rouse, J., & Chagigiorgis, H. (2024) The high impact of low intensity: Effectiveness of the BounceBack® program for depression and anxiety in Ontario, Behavior Therapy, 55, 150-163. 

We have posters, brochures, and more to help you talk to your patients about OSP West. Complete our form to have materials sent to your office.