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OSP offers cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults 18 and older living in Ontario with depression, anxiety and anxiety-related concerns, 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 

• post-traumatic stress 

• specific fears 

• other anxiety- and stress-related problems such as work stress and test anxiety

There are certain conditions that you need to meet to refer yourself (or have your health care provider refer you) to the program.   

You must be: 

• 18 years of age or older

• living in Ontario, but you do not have to have a health card or 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

• able to commit to 6 to 12 consecutive weeks of treatment

• willing to regularly fill out surveys to monitor their progress through treatment

• willing to practice strategies to manage symptoms between sessions

• open to trying different formats of CBT, including a self-led approach with support from a coach or therapist. One-on-one therapy is not guaranteed. 

You must not be: 

• currently, or within the past three months, experiencing problematic substance use or requiring specialized concurrent disorders treatment

• actively suicidal, and/or have attempted suicide in the past six months

• currently self-harming, which is your immediate, primary concern

• currently, or within the past year, experiencing symptoms of mania or hypomania that are not due to medication or substance use

• currently, or within the past year, experiencing symptoms related to psychosis that are not due to medication or substance use

• diagnosed with a personality disorder which is currently causing the most distress or impairment and has not been treated

• experiencing a severe eating disorder or distress or impairment related to an eating behaviour

• seeking medication management only

• experiencing a significant cognitive impairment such as dementia or an acquired brain injury or have a developmental or learning disability that would impact your ability to participate in psychotherapy, such as being 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. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a practical, short-term form of talk therapy. It helps people develop lifelong skills, such as: 

• being aware of the impact your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs have on your feelings and actions

• identifying and changing thinking patterns that may be negative, inaccurate and contribute to depression or anxiety

• changing unhelpful coping strategies such as avoidance

• using problem-solving skills to manage challenging situations

Using CBT, you look at how your thoughts, emotions and actions are related. You learn practical skills to reduce your symptoms, enhance your strengths and improve your quality of life. 

OSP is structured to provide short-term treatment focused on managing depression, anxiety and anxiety-related concerns using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Long-term treatment and followup are not available. 

We offer different treatment formats to provide the level of care that best meets your needs. A trained professional will complete an assessment and recommend a treatment stream to support your recovery. 

Our three treatment streams: 

• self-led, clinician- or coach-supported CBT, where you read books or watch videos to learn skills to manage your symptoms and can access a clinician or coach to talk about your progress - read more about this option in the “What is self-led, clinician- or coach-supported CBT?” section further down on this page

• group CBT, where you learn skills to manage your symptoms alongside others with similar mental health concerns in an online setting 

• One-on-one CBT where you will work directly with a therapist - online or in person - to learn skills to manage your symptoms

Most people start with our self-led, clinician- or coach-supported CBT, but may move up to our group or one-on-one treatment streams if a self-led approach is not meeting their needs. 

View our treatment stream diagram.

When you get treatment at OSP West, you'll take an active part in your care, including:  

Most clients who enrol in our program start with our self-led, clinician- or coach-supported cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment options. They are fast to access and allow you to conveniently fit therapy in to your schedule. 

There are four self-led, clinician- or coach-supported CBT programs available. Learn about each one by clicking the links below or view our handout summarizing all four options. 

• BounceBack handout or video 

• Tranquility handout or depression or anxiety videos 

• MindBeacon handout or video 

• Clinician-Assisted Bibliotherapy handout