If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need to speak with someone immediately, CALL 988.

More crisis resources can be found here.

 

Burlington Family Health Team Psychotherapy:  

The Burlington Family Health Team (BFHT) Psychotherapy Program provides mental health supports funded by Ontario Health/Ministry of Health through an outpatient Psychotherapy Clinic. Our Psychotherapy team is dedicated to providing accessible, compassionate primary care services to adults (18+) who are seeking support for their mental health and overall well-being. Our team works with individuals who may be facing difficulties and distress that impact their daily life and functioning. Our services act as a first line of entry to psychotherapy addressing individuals’ current mental health concerns. Addressing mental health early on provides an opportunity for prevention and early intervention, helping to reduce the risk of more severe issues developing over time.  

 

What is BFHT Psychotherapy?  

Our team of qualified psychotherapists provide services that:  

• are evidence-based:  

  • research shows that there are many benefits to using these structured approaches to developing skills

  • interventions through group-based psychotherapy to address mild to moderate mental health concerns, promote the use of skills, and enhance resilience in daily life.  

• focus on creating specific skills that support you in achieving your goals   

• target mood, thinking and behaviour to achieve change  

• aim to decrease distress, increase functioning and foster independence  

  • provides you with the opportunity to learn a new set of skills, both inside and outside of group sessions, and use these skills in everyday life  

• rely on your active collaboration with your psychotherapist  

 

BFHT’s Psychotherapy Clinic does not offer:  

• Open-ended talk therapy which is typically client-led and focuses on what the client wants to talk about from week to week. Our services provide a structured approach to therapeutic care.    

• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)  

• Family and Couples Counselling  

• Treatment for Eating Disorders  

• Crisis response or crisis management  

  • Please note: if you are currently in a crisis, please find a list of resources available to you here or call 988.   

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Benefits of Group-Based Psychotherapy:  

Many people are unsure about engaging in group psychotherapy. Treatment in this format provides a number of benefits, in addition to what the treatment intends:  

• A sense of safety among others, community and belonging (you’re not alone)  

• A chance to develop and improve communication and social skills  

• An opportunity to give and receive support  

• Accountability and motivation   

  • Group participants encourage each other to stay engaged and progress towards their mental health goals  

• Shared learning  

Risks in group psychotherapy are low, beyond feeling emotionally uncomfortable at times. Our skilled clinicians work hard to ensure the comfort and safety of every client in every group. We believe that group psychotherapy provides a powerful foundation for mental health and overall well-being.    

 

How do I know that BFHT psychotherapy is right for me?  

We offer treatment for the following:   

• Anxiety and anxiety related disorders (OCD, Social phobia, panic disorder etc.)  

• Depression  

• ADHD  

• PTSD  

  

Am I eligible to self-refer to BFHT psychotherapy?

You are eligible to self-refer to BFHT psychotherapy if you answer “Yes” to all 3 questions below:

• Are you 18 years of age or older?

• At this time, BFHT Psychotherapy only accepts referrals for adults aged 18 years or older. However, please find a list of resources available for youth under 18 years of age here

• Do you live in Ontario?

• BFHT psychotherapists only accepts referrals for individuals who reside in Ontario. If you live in a different province, please speak with your primary care provider regarding available services in your area.  

• Are you completing this referral on your own behalf and confirm that you are seeking service for yourself?

• BFHT only accepts self-referrals from the individual seeking support for themselves. If you are seeking supports for another individual, please speak with the individual's family doctor or community supports.

 

If you answered yes to all 3 questions above, you are eligible to self-refer to our psychotherapy program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your family doctor or nurse practitioner can also refer you by completing the physician referral through the JBH/BFHT Centralized Mental Health and Addiction form, or through OCEAN E-Referral.

 

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