Our Mental Health team provides a holistic and team-based approach to mental health care. We support patients experiencing difficulties with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. We offer the following short-term services: individual counselling, group programs, case management and psychiatric consultation. In addition, case management support is available to navigate financial and housing needs, as well as community resources. Individuals who are interested in accessing our program & services will require a referral from their healthcare provider.

Individual Counselling for Adults
NYFHT social workers provide individual short-term counselling, education, advocacy and referrals to FHT patients struggling through difficult times. The social worker provides assessment of psychosocial problems, suggests treatment, provides education and advocacy and navigates referrals. The social worker also collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and physicians to formulate individualized care plans, when required. The social worker makes an effort to create a safe space to help patients develop their ability to increase their social and mental well-being by exploring their thoughts and feelings regarding their concerns. The goal of these visits is to help develop patients’ skills and resources to improve their current feelings/mood.

Some areas the social work supports include:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Emotion regulation
• Interpersonal difficulties


Individual Counselling for Children & Youth
Children & youth counselling sessions are offered for patients 18 years of age and under who feel they would benefit from working with a social worker. The social worker provides short-term therapy, comprehensive and integrated care for children/caregivers requiring additional resources and systems navigation using a variety of treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, play therapy, expressive arts and others depending on the approach best suited for the patient and their family. The social worker provides an assessment of psychosocial problems, suggests treatment, provides education and advocacy and navigates referrals to external agencies. The social worker also collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and physicians to formulate individualized care plans.

Some areas the child and youth social worker supports include:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Social emotional regulation for
teens
• Interpersonal difficulties
• School concerns


Case Management
There are times in a person’s life when they are not sure where to go for help or how to access services or supports. Case managers help patients find community resources that can help improve their quality of life. These problems can relate to physical health, home care, retirement, mental health and emotional well-being, family issues, housing, finances and nutrition, among many others.

At the North York Family Health Team, the case manager collaborates with other health care professionals for a seamless transition connecting patients to both health care and community services. Our case manager also offers support within the Mental Health and Cancer Survivorship programs.


Mental Health Group Programming
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Depression and Anxiety

This 7-session group program is designed to help patients struggling with depression and anxiety develop a greater understanding of their experience and learn techniques to manage their mood now and in the future.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
This two-tier group program includes a CBT-I Program and a Deprescribing Initiative. CBT-I is a 6-session program which helps patients who have been struggling with insomnia. This program provides a protocol that improves sleep quality and provides an effective alternative to sleep medication.

For those already taking a sleep medication, as part of the Deprescribing Initiative, pharmacists will discuss the pros and cons, and offer guidance to patients interested in gradually coming off their sleep medication safely.

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
MBCT is a 10-session group program to help patients struggling with depression, anxiety, emotional distress and physical pain. Through meditation and mindfulness informed practices, patients will learn to cultivate awareness of their inner experience in order to develop emotional resilience. The practices learned in this program help participants maintain emotional wellness and reduce depressive relapse.

Mindfulness for Healthy Eating
The mindfulness for healthy eating group program will benefit those who may be frustrated with years of dieting and are looking for a different approach. This 8-week interactive group program is run by a dietitian and a social worker and uses intuitive eating, craving change, mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy. By working through these approaches and practicing new tools, participants will begin to develop a more peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.

Ariel Weber – MSW RSW
Carol Ma – MSW RSW
Diane Petrofski – MSW RSW
Emerald Lacaille – MSW RSW
Laura Michell – MSW RSW
Sara-Marie Skovjberg – MSW RSW
Shanee Hutchinson – MSW RSW
Dr. Victor Feder - Psychiatrist

Rose Martin – Admin Assistant