Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program

Treatment for people with depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions

In Ontario, adults with depression and anxiety-related conditions can access publicly-funded, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related approaches to help manage their conditions. CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy that is problem-focused and goal-oriented and teaches practical strategies and skills.

CBT and related approaches can be accessed through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program for the following conditions:

depression and low mood
generalized anxiety and worry
health anxiety
obsessive-compulsive concerns
other anxiety and stress-related problems
posttraumatic stress
social anxiety and performance fears
specific fears
unexpected panic attacks and agoraphobic fears

What services are available through OSP?

Individuals aged 18+ with depression and anxiety-related conditions will have access to different services in the OSP program. The service or services recommended will depend on what’s most appropriate for their needs, with most clients starting with self-administered strategies.

Guided self-help resources: BounceBack and Clinician-Assisted Bibliotherapy (CAB) programs are available by telephone.
Psychotherapy: Individual and/or group CBT sessions are delivered in person or online.
Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT): iCBT is a program delivered online and guided by a therapist.

Who is eligible for OSP?

Adults (18 years and older) who live in Ontario.

Note: Youth (age 15 – 17) can get free mental health and skill-building support for low mood, depression, anxiety, stress or worry through the BounceBack program, which is managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Learn more about BounceBack or fill out a referral form here.

How to access OSP

The first step is to complete a referral form through AccessMHA.ca. (AccessMHA is free service that helps people in eastern Ontario find services for mental health and substance use health issues, including OSP.) Once you complete the referral form, you’ll be able to book an initial appointment with an AccessMHA staff member who will help you get started.

If you are a psychiatrist or primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) who is referring a client to OSP, you will first need to complete the AccessMHA referral form through the Ocean portal on your Electronic Medical Record or visit here. AccessMHA is the single point of entry for access to mental health and addictions services in eastern Ontario, including the OSP program. Clients will then be contacted by an AccessMHA staff member to get started. If you have any questions about the referral form, please contact The Royal at 1-877-527-8207.

What happens after the referral is submitted?

Once the referral is received, the client will be contacted by telephone to gather additional information for screening purposes. If, following that screening, it is determined services may be appropriate, the client will be booked an appointment for a clinical intake and triage assessment. The assessment will determine which service is most appropriate. The client's status will be shared with the referring provider and, if OSP cannot meet the client’s needs, services that are more appropriate will be recommended.

What about ongoing monitoring?

Clients are regularly monitored to ensure they reach standard program outcomes and that the program meets their ongoing needs. Clients will be transitioned to other services within OSP or provided direction to services outside of OSP as needed.

Clients and their primary care providers are informed of the client’s treatment and outcomes.

Upcoming groups

The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (OSP) provides free cognitive behavioural therapy to teach you practical skills and techniques to change patterns of behaviour and thinking. Starting in September 2024, OSP will be offering virtual psychotherapy groups to support the development of skills to cope with symptoms of depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress.

If you are interested in group treatment in OSP, contact AccessMHA at AccessMHA.ca. Here you can schedule a time for a short screening to discuss your needs and connect you to the next step.

Mood and/or anxiety symptoms
Transdiagnostic groups are offered starting on the week of September 4, 2024. Groups run for 15 weeks and can support clients experiencing symptoms of low mood, generalized anxiety, social anxiety or panic. See below for the start dates and timing for the groups.

TUESDAYS
Starting September 10
2–4 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS
Starting September 4
2–4 p.m.

FRIDAYS
Starting September 6
9–11 a.m.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms
Cognitive processing therapy groups are offered on Wednesdays starting on the week of September 4, 2024. The group will run for 12 weeks and can support clients experiencing symptoms of posttraumatic stress.

WEDNESDAYS
Starting September 11
9–11 a.m.

MARDI (en français)
Starting September 10
1–3 p.m.

Low mood symptoms
A depression group is offered on Tuesdays starting September 10, 2024. The group will run for 12 weeks and supports clients experiencing low mood and related symptoms.