Mental Health
The Family Health Team (FHT) of the University of Ottawa Health Services offers mental health services. Our Mental Health Counsellors are qualified professionals who work with patients in a short-term, focused and confidential manner to find solutions. Bilingual services provided may address a range of issues, from acute situational reactions, marital discord, behavioural issues in children, to more chronic conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, with clinical counselling services being offered to people of all ages. Counselling services are goal oriented and a range of evidence based approaches are used in working with patients. The length and type of service provided will depend on the nature of the presenting issue. Patients may also be referred to other community resources to help meet their needs.
In addition to individual counselling services the mental health team offers psycho-educational groups on different topics. They also work collaboratively with other interdisciplinary health providers regarding chronic disease management programs.
What to Expect
Mental Health Counselling
- Counselling for different mental health/psychosocial issues such as: depression; anxiety-stress; phobias; PTSD following domestic violence, sexual abuse, accidents, or other traumas; grief and loss issues; relationship problems (with partner, child, teen, colleague, employer, etc.); parenting issues (parent-child, parent-teen, etc.); addiction issues (short-term assistance only)
- Individual, couple or family therapy
- The number of counselling sessions is limited to 6-8 sessions
- Psycho-educational groups on selected topics such as anxiety, and attention deficit disorder.
- Linkages to community resources
Student Academic Success Service – University of Ottawa
- Additional support and counselling services are offered through SASS.
How to Access
Family Health Team Psychiatrist and Mental Health Counselors – available to patients enrolled with a family physician with the UOHS Family Health Team. uOttawa and St-PaulU students can also access mental health counselling services when referred by a provider at the University of Ottawa Health Services Walk In Clinic (located at 100 Marie Curie Private). A telephone Intake Assessment appointment with a Mental Health Counsellor will be scheduled upon receipt of your referral from a University of Ottawa Health Services Provider. Patients are to contact our office directly at 613-564-3950 ext 497 or complete the online appointment request form to schedule this appointment. This appointment will provide an opportunity to discuss your needs and determine the best strategies for you. There is no fee for our mental health services.
UOHS also offers psychiatric and psychological services to all patients.
Wellness Workshop
This Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – mindfulness based group workshop run by UOHS counsellors will emphasize coping skills and self-care strategies in dealing with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Ask your primary health care provider for a referral to the 6 consecutive week Wellness Workshop.Mental Health Group Sessions: Changes and Choices
Patients with a family physician at UOHS can self-refer today by calling 613-564-3950, ext. 497 to attend one or more group sessions.
Session 1: “Healthy Relationships”– This session will review healthy boundaries, assertive communication, resolving conflict, building trust, and fostering empathy in relationships.
Session 2: “The Triple-S recipe for Well-being: Stress management, Sleep hygiene and Self-care” – This session will help with identifying warning signs of stress, as well as provide coping tools to take control over stressors and symptoms alike. Furthermore, the session will expand to encourage implementation of sleep hygiene and self-care strategies for optimum wellness.
**Please note that sessions are offered only in English at this time**
Resources
- SASS – Student Academic Success Service
- Crisis Line Ottawa 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991
- CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- CMHA – Canadian Mental Health Association
- Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa
- Ottawa Mental Health Crisis Line (24h) 613-722-6914
- Ottawa Distress Centre (24h) 613-238-3311
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline (24h) 1-866-863-0511
- Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (24h) 613-234-2266
- YSB Crisis Line (24h) 613-260-2360
- CAS Ottawa – Child Protection Issues 613-747-7800
- Fem’aide – ligne de soutien 1-877-336-2433 (French only)
- Tel-aide Outaouais (8am-Midnight) 613-741-6433 / 819-775-3223 (French only)
- Kids’ Help Phone (24h) 1-800-668-6868
- Tel-Jeune (24h) 1-800-263-2266
- Good 2 Talk (24h) 1-866-925-5454
- The Walk-in Counselling Clinic
Hours of Operation
Walk-in Clinic
100 Marie Curie, Ottawa
Monday: 8 AM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 8 AM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 8 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 8 PM
Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 2 PM
Sunday: 10 AM - 2PM
Holiday Hours
December 24: 8 AM - 5 PM December 25 - 26: Closed December 27 - 31: 10 AM - 2 PM January 1: Closed
Regular hours of operation resume on January 2, 2021.
Booking instructions:
Please call the clinic at 613-564-3950 to schedule a same day telephone appointment with a walk-in clinic physician. If after the telephone consultation an in-person visit is required, patients will be booked accordingly.
After Hours Access to Care
Patients registered with a family doctor at UOHS
In case of emergency, always dial 911. THAS connects you to a nurse who can provide medical advice, or, if appropriate, provide access to a family health team doctor or suggest that you go to emergency.
Patients not registered with a family doctor at UOHS – Ontario residents
In case of emergency, always dial 911. Telehealth Ontario is a free service that allows Ontario residents to speak to a Registered Nurse with their medical questions any time of the day or night. This could be when you're sick or injured but aren't sure if you need to see a doctor or can treat the situation at home.
Patients not registered with a family doctor at UOHS – Quebec residents
In case of emergency, always dial 911. Info-Santé 8-1-1 is a free and confidential telephone consultation service that puts you in contact with a nurse in case of a non-urgent health issue.
Info-Santé 811