Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Receive FREE therapy support to improve your mental wellness
Stressed out? Feeling down?
You can improve your mental wellness. We can help!
- FREE and convenient services in multiple languages for adults (18+)
- Better manage low mood, stress or anxiety
- Available in-person and virtually
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) services are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is collaborative, goal-focused, and involves light reading and sessions with a trained mental health professional.
Local Ontario Structured Psychotherapy services include:
Participants receive telephone coaching, cognitive behavioural therapy skill-building workbooks, and online videos.
Participants receive weekly, 30-minute telephone sessions with a Clinician, and are guided through a gold-standard cognitive behavioural therapy self-help workbook.
Participants receive weekly one-hour sessions with a Clinician, in person or virtually.
Participants receive an internet-based program focused on online, cognitive behavioural therapy modules with support from a Clinician through secure texting.
“Going through the program, I found it easy to talk to people who you’re not with every day and my Coach provided a new perspective. The program was self-directed with scheduled check-ins with my Coach, who kept me accountable to my goals.”
Heather | Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Client
Read Heather's StoryHow the Program Works
Submit the Form
See the “Get Started” section further down this page.
Provide Additional Information
You’ll receive an Intake Package by email, to provide us more information.
Book Your Appointment
At the end of the Intake Package, there will be a link to book your appointment with an Intake Specialist. They will chat with you to determine which OSP service is the best fit for your needs.
Depending on your OSP service, you’ll likely start by using self-guided resources under the guidance of a trained mental health professional. You will complete readings/worksheets and participate in regularly scheduled calls/meetings with your Coach or Clinician. You’ll fill out questionnaires regularly to monitor your progress and help shape your treatment.
Canadian Mental Health Association, in partnership with Across Boundaries and HF Care provides local Ontario Structured Psychotherapy services to residents of York Region, South Simcoe, North York, North Etobicoke, and Malton.
Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region and South Simcoe is the first and only community agency selected to lead the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program as a Network Lead Organization.
Get Started
Have questions? Feel free to contact us via email osp-referral@cmha-yr.on.ca or call 1-866-345-0224
Adult (18+)
To sign up for free Ontario Structured Psychotherapy services, complete the online self-referral form or speak to your health care provider who can submit a referral on your behalf. Please note that this program is only available to Ontario residents.
Services in French will be coordinated by our partners at The Royal Mental Health Centre.
Teens (15-17)
If you are between the ages of 15-17, sign up for the FREE and confidential BounceBack Ontario program. Please note, you do not need permission from a caregiver or health care provider to access this program.
Client Success Stories
Read how the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program has helped people across our region.
Read stories
Information for Health Care Providers
Are your patients feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed? Refer your patient today!
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions About OSP:
What happens after I submit a form?
The referral process:
- After the submission of the online form, clients will receive an Intake Package by email about 72 hours later. Clients will have 5 days to complete the questionnaire.
- A clinician will review your Intake Package and reach out 2 weeks later to schedule a telephone call to collect additional information for screening purposes.
- Upon completing the screening process, if it is deemed that OSP services may be suitable, the client will be triaged into the program. This assessment aims to determine the compatibility of the program with the client’s needs and identify the most suitable service for them to commence with.
- The client’s status will be communicated with their care provider, and in cases where OSP cannot meet the client’s requirements, alternative services will be recommended, if available.
Who is eligible for OSP?
- Adults (18+)
- Do not need an OHIP card
- Do not need to have a primary care provider
- Living in Ontario
- Do not need to be a Canadian citizen
- Includes international students residing in Ontario at the time of treatment
- A primary concern of depression, anxiety, or an anxiety-related condition
- Able to actively engage in OSP treatment
Who is NOT eligible for OSP?
OSP does not have programs that focus on:
- Symptoms of mania or psychosis
- Disordered Eating
- Substance use counselling
- Chronic pain management
- Medication management
- Crisis management
- Housing support
- Case management
- Dialectic behavioural therapy (DBT)
- Financial support
- Relationship counselling
What conditions would OSP benefit?
OSP programs focus on:
- Obsessive-compulsive concerns
- Posttraumatic stress
- Social anxiety and performance fears
- Specific fears
- Unexpected panic attacks and agoraphobic fears
- Depression and low mood
- Generalized anxiety and worry
- Health anxiety
- Other anxiety and stress-related problems
What is expected of clients in the OSP program?
Our program involves a certain level of commitment, which includes:
- Filling out brief questionnaires before each session to assist in your treatment and track your progress.
- Monitoring and recording your thoughts and behaviors related to anxiety or depression.
- Reading about strategies and actively practicing them.
- Engaging in sessions with a coach or therapist.
How is continuous monitoring handled?
Regular monitoring is conducted to verify clients are achieving standard program outcomes and the program aligns with their ongoing requirements. If necessary, clients may be transitioned to alternative services within OSP or guided towards external services. The client’s treatment and outcomes are communicated to both the clients and their primary care providers.
What is Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps make your mind feel better by teaching useful skills and tricks to change how you behave and think. This can make your mental wellness healthier and help you handle tough feelings and situations.
I have more questions!
Please email osp-referral@cmha-yr.on.ca or call 1-866-345-0224 for more information.
