We have a shared mental health team that supports patients at both Academic Family Health Team (AFHT) clinic locations.
The team is made up of psychiatrists, two social workers, an advanced practice nurse, a registered nurse and an administrative coordinator.
Here is what our team can do for you:
- Individual and group counselling on psychological issues.
- Early detection of mental health issues.
- Coping with mental illness.
- Mental health medication management.
- Accessing mental health resources in the community.
- Group sessions on depression and anxiety.
- Diagnostic clarification.
At this time, the shared mental health team only sees Ontario patients who are 16 years or older who have been referred to them by a family doctor or resident.
Social workers
Our social workers can provide psycho-social assessments and support to youth over 12 years old, individuals, couples, and families. They assist people reporting symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression; people dealing with grief and loss or chronic health issues; and people who experience abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, financial). Assessments, referrals and supports are also provided for people with eating disorders of any kind.
The social workers can help patients:
- Access resources for financial, housing, transportation, and employment issues.
- Plan for the future, by assisting with issues like access to retirement living, long term care or power of attorney for financial and health care decisions.
We provide the following modes of therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Brief, Narrative and Relational Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy and Trauma Informed therapy.
Once an appointment is made with our social workers, they will assess your counselling, resource or support needs, follow you for regular appointments, make appropriate referrals to other required services identified, determine with you how many sessions will be required, collaboratively set realistic and measurable goals for therapy and/or support, and facilitate an agreed upon and planned ending to the social work intervention with you.
How to access our social work services
Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing emotional, financial, family or work distress so they can make a referral to our social workers. If you have been followed by a current AFHT social worker, simply contact them by phone or email to ask for a resumption of service.