Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program

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

The Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) program provides individuals with publicly-funded, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and related approaches to help manage depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions. CBT is a structured, time-limited therapy that is problem-focused and goal-oriented and teaches practical strategies and skills. The OSP program provides treatment for:

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

Am I eligible?

Clients with depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related conditions will have access to different services in the OSP program based on their age:

15+ years of age – BounceBack® guided self-help program provided by telephone is available
18+ years of age – Individual and/or group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy provided in person or virtually is available

Please review the eligibility criteria listed on the referral form to learn if this program may be right for you or your clients.

How to access the program?

In Ontario Health East Region, referrals for the OSP program are being coordinated by The Royal, and services are being delivered in a wide range of community settings. This includes primary care, community mental health agencies, family services organizations, and community health centres.

If you are a client, you can sign up for the program yourself. To begin the referral process, you will first need to complete the referral form on AccessMHA.ca. This will give you access to coordinated mental health and addictions services in eastern Ontario, including the OSP program. On AccessMHA.ca, you will be able to book yourself into a screening appointment, at which time you will be contacted by an AccessMHA staff member to get you started.

If you are a psychiatrist or primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner), you can refer clients into the OSP program. To begin the referral process, 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 are not a primary care provider, you can assist the individual in filling out the self-referral and submitting it on their behalf.

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 that OSP may be appropriate, the client will be booked an appointment for a Clinical Intake and Triage assessment. The assessment will determine whether the program is a good fit for the client’s needs and which service is most appropriate for them to start with. The client's status will be shared with the referring provider and, if OSP cannot meet the client’s needs, then more appropriate services will be recommended, if possible.

What about ongoing monitoring?

Clients are regularly monitored to ensure they are reaching standard program outcomes and that the program continues to meet 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.