Social Work Services
Social Work Services at Bridgepoint Family Health Team Our social work department comprises a part-time social worker and a part-time navigation specialist/resource coordinator, who offer mental health services and support to patients of all ages. Our social worker provides both individual and group therapy to patients who are experiencing situational stressors, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, addiction, grief/bereavement, and insomnia or sleep-related concerns. Our play-based therapy is ideal for patients aged 5-12, while family therapy is available to all family members who are patients of our health team. Please note that family therapy is only available if all participating family members are patients of the health team.
Group Programs
DBT skills group – DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) skills group is a 13 week skills based group that teaches mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. Patients interested in the group will be assessed by the social worker to determine if the group is appropriate or not.
DBT group is offered for 13 weeks and offered approximately 3 times per year
The DBT group is a closed group which means that once the group begins, participants cannot be added
CBT group – CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) group consists of four modules that help patients examine how their thoughts influence their mood/behavior.
Who is Eligible?
Anyone who is a patient of Bridgepoint Family Health Team and doesn’t have private coverage or sufficient funds to access mental health services in the community.
Please note that we are not a crisis service and cannot provide services to patients experiencing an acute or urgent mental health crisis.
If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis – please either call 911 or visit your local emergency room. Alternatively, you can call the following crisis lines:
Gerstein Centre: (416) 929-5200
Toronto Distress Centre: (416) 408- HELP (4357)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Navigation Specialist / Resource Counselor
Can provide referrals to needed services located in the community
Can help facilitate access to services in the community
Can help with completing applications for different services (ODSP)
Can provide supportive counseling / talk therapy
Referral Process:
Please speak with your family physician, nurse, nurse practitioner, or diabetes educator for referral to the social work department. Once you are referred, you will get a phone call from the social worker or navigation specialist within two weeks to discuss your needs and schedule an appointment. Please note that there is approximately a 2-3 month wait for psychotherapy services.
Psychotherapy sessions are typically 50 minutes in length and occur bi-weekly. Group Programs are approximately 2 hours in length and both groups occur weekly.
Please note that while we can provide mental health services either virtually or in-person, you must physically be in the province of Ontario to receive service.