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.
-
​
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.
​​
You can start the self-referral process by completing the BHFT registration form located HERE.
​
PLEASE NOTE: You will be redirected to a secure portal to enter your name and contact information and then can choose "Initial Psychotherapy Assessment" as the reason for referral.
A member of our team will call you within 2-4 weeks to discuss next steps.  
Resources
Crisis Resources: 
-
988 – Suicide Crisis Helpline
-
Assaulted Women’s Helpline (24/7): 1-866-863-0511 
-
COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) (24/7) - ages 16+: 1-877-825-9011 
-
Distress Centre Halton (24/7) 
-
Burlington: 905-681-1488 
-
Halton Hills/Milton: 905-877-1211 
-
Hamilton: 905-561-5800 
-
Oakville: 905-849-4541 
-
-
Halton Women’s Place (24/7) are the two numbers below for Halton Women’s place?
-
North Halton Crisis: 905-878-8555 
-
South Halton Crisis: 905-332-7892 
-
-
Kids Help Phone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868  https://kidshelpphone.ca/urgent-help
-
ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids) (24/7)- ages 18 and under: 905-878-9785  https://rockonline.ca/
-
SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services) Crisis (24/7): 905-875-1555 
-
Talk Suicide Canada (4pm –12 am EST): 1-833-456-4566, text 45645 
  ​
Resources for Youth under 18 years of age: 
-
-
One Stop Talk is a free, virtual, confidential service that lets children and youth under 18 years of age call or connect online from anywhere in Ontario to get brief mental health services. We provide Single Session Therapy and ensure direct referral to additional community-based infant, child and youth mental health (ICYMH) services.
-
-
BounceBack program: 
-
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. Youth or their health care providers can learn more by filling out a referral form for the BounceBack program here: https://bouncebackontario.ca/what-is-bounceback-youth/ 
-
-
Reach Out Centre For Kids (ROCK): 
-
ROCK is an accredited, multi-service organization providing services to children and their families in Halton.  ROCK has a wide offering of programming and services available including individual mental health supports, group based mental health programming and specialized services including a wide range of Autism and FASD supports and focused early years programming including a EarlyON center.  Their services are available for children and youth ages 0 to 17, with limited programming available for up to 21 years old. More information on the ROCK can be found here: https://rockonline.ca/  
-
-
Youth Early Intervention (YEI) Program: 
-
The Youth Early Intervention (YEI) program is youth-centered and breaks down barriers that youth encounter when seeking mental health and/or substance use services. This program is recovery focused. YEI is a voluntary program where youth can self-refer, or be referred by a friend, family member, support person, health professional, or physician by completing a referral form. Services are provided in the community and in office. Phone: 905-632-3737 Extension 7506. 
-
Non-Crisis support for adults 18+:
Our System Navigation Department can assist you with connecting to services in the community, including, but not limited to:
-
Substance use counselling
-
Peer/community support
-
Housing support
-
Food security
-
Financial support
-
Legal services
-
Employment Support
-
Chronic pain management and more
For more information on how one of our System Navigators can assist you, or to self-refer to System Navigation, please call 289-208-9619.